Get in the seasonal spirit with some festive entertainment! For the holidays go see traditional favorites like the Eugene Ballet's "The Nutcracker", or tap into merriment with spoofs like "O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy". Enhance your evening out with dinner or dessert (or both!) before the show, and a holiday lights tour after. From caroling choirs to contemporary plays, celebrate all your favorite things!
Theater tickets also make wonderful gifts to friends and family. Book a weekend getaway and enjoy brunch the next morning. Here are some of the upcoming holiday highlights across the region.

Eugene Ballet's "The Nutcracker"
Eugene
At the Oregon Contemporary Theatre
This theater manifests the electric vibe of downtown Eugene. At the heart of a city lit for the holidays, find an intimate venue with a commitment to diverse and inclusive productions. Around the corner from the Oregon Contemporary Theatre (OCT) is Noisette Pastry Kitchen with sweet treats and French soups and sandwiches (they close at 6 p.m., so go early). If you want a more substantial sit-down dining experience before the show, try The Party Bar, which is a local favorite with excellent zero-proof drinks and cocktails, or The Davis.
Spend the holidays with the cherished Pride & Prejudice characters, Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennet, in this new story about ambition, sisterhood and love. Over the course of its more than 20-year history, Oregon Contemporary Theatre has earned a reputation for high artistic…
At the Hult Center for the Performing Arts
A highlight of downtown Eugene, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is brimming with holiday cheer this season. Planning a dinner and a show experience is very easy. 6th Street Restaurant and Sports Bar is a go-to restaurant just across the street, or nearby Jazzy Ladies Cafe & Club and the Gordon Tavern. Pair theater tickets with the Sip Champagne & Dessert Bar or go to the 5th Street Public Market for many options, from the more formal Marche to casual eateries inside the complex. 5th Street Public Market will be decorated for the holidays and hosts holiday events on certain nights.
At The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts
Housed within a renovated church building in downtown Eugene, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts' accessible hall is equipped with a hearing loop, providing an improved listening experience for those with telecoil-enabled hearing aids, cochlear implants and streamers. The Shedd offers a sit-down pre-show meal in the theater complex on Friday (reserve your place when purchasing tickets). Otherwise, nearby is Ambrosia — a classic Italian restaurant with a cozy but upscale atmosphere and Bon Mi which offers delicious Vietnamese French Cuisine like banh me sandwiches and pho noodle soups to keep you warm on chilly nights. Another dining destination that pairs perfectly with a performance at The Shedd is Lion & Owl — a further distance away, but their gourmet menu makes for a perfect evening out.
Shirley Andress and her Jazz Kings Christmas ensemble return for another evening of the heartwarming Christmas fare filled with love, good humor, and good will to all. Look for a healthy selection of your Christmas favorites (sorry they can't do them all!), along with a few…
Springfield
At Pegasus Playhouse
A more recent addition to the historic Main Street scene, Pegasus Playhouse, offers a fun family experience just minutes from Eugene. For a casual pre-show meal check out Plank Town Brewing Company or the beer and food court options at PublicHouse. Make it a date night with a nice dinner at George + Violet's or Tavern on Main. Make everybody happy with a visit to Main Street Sweets for a slice of pie before the curtain goes up!
- Pegasus Playhouse
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
Check out this great new musical based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Pegasus Playhouse is a theatrical non-profit organization that specializes in involving young people in the production of entertaining works of musical theater. "Uh... Christmas Carole" is played by…
At Richard E. Wildish Community Theater
Just a few blocks further on Main Street is the Richard E. Wildish Community Theatre. This historic venue has ideal acoustics and view lines. At the center of downtown Springfield, you can enjoy the restaurants mentioned near Pegasus Playhouse, or branch out to the family-friendly Cornucopia and Mezza Luna Pizza. The Monkey's Paw Tiki Bar is an enchanting pre-show stop for beautiful flaming drinks.
- Richard E. Wildish Community Theater
- Recurring daily
Christmas Presence offers a rich combination of stories, poems and songs. Featuring actors Jeany Van Meltebeke, David Snider, Martha Moultry and Donovan Snider with music of the celtic/folk fusion trio Dréos, and classical pianist Julianne Shepard. This family friendly production…
Cottage Grove
At Cottage Theatre
Outstanding productions draw the Eugene crowd season after fabulous season. Since the 80s, Cottage Theatre has staged classical and current productions. Two local craft breweries — Coast Fork Brewing and Covered Bridge Brewery — offer excellent pub fare or food truck dishes, while Axe & Fiddle has classic comfort food. The historic downtown is all decorated for the holidays, creating a magical and charming experience for pre-show shopping.
- Cottage Theatre
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Based on the popular 2003 film, Elf the Musical is a hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy that follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Cottage Theatre delights audiences with its year-round season of plays and musicals featuring 100% local talent. The theatre…
Florence
At Florence Events Center
Just above Historic Old Town Florence, the Florence Events Center also offers a hearing loop system for improved listening for guests with a hearing impairment. Visit Florence for holiday shopping and dinner before the show. Waterfront Depot or Mari's Kitchen make great date night destinations, or take the kids to 1285 Restobar or Nosh Eatery — and there is always Mo's!
Time for Season Tickets
A holiday show thrills and inspires the audience, but don't box up the magic for just the holiday season. Support local performing arts and extend your enjoyment by subscribing as a season ticket holder or give the gift of unlimited theater magic to a loved one. Find out what great shows are scheduled for the stage this year and plan your next night out.