By Lisa Berkas | November 4, 2026 The holiday season brings a magical glow to the Twin Cities Gateway. As temperatures drop and festive lights illuminate Main Streets and riverfronts across the north metro, local venues gear up with heartwarming dramas, festive comedies, interactive dinner mysteries , and magnificent holiday traditions. If you are planning an unforgettable holiday outing this November and December, here is your stage-by-stage guide to holiday theater and performances across the Gateway. Santa’s Magic Meat Raffle at Lyric Arts (Anoka) Photo Credit: Lyric Center for the Arts Lyric Arts Main Street Stage delivers big laughs and genuine Minnesota charm to historic downtown Anoka this holiday season with Santa’s Magic Meat Raffle (running November 20 through December 20). Staged in their intimate downtown playhouse, this original comedy brings plenty of offbeat yuletide spirit and hometown fun to the stage. Dates: November 20 – December 20 The Production: A fresh, homegrown holiday comedy featuring local talent, clever satire, and quintessential North Star State humor. Make an Evening of It: Take advantage of the Anoka Social District and enjoy pre-show dinner or festive drinks just steps away from the theater. Holiday Cabarets Seasonal Showcases at Crooners Supper Club (Fridley) Crooners Supper Club provides an upscale, vintage holiday escape along the shores of Moore Lake in Fridley. Throughout November and December, Crooners transforms into a yuletide haven with seasonal revues, holiday jazz showcases, and theatrical cabaret tributes. Featured Holiday Acts: Seasonal stage lineups include Christmas, Soul Joy with Kijana Gant, festive jazz programs in the Dunsmore Jazz Room, and lively musical revues on the Main Stage. The Experience: Enjoy full-service table dining, classic craft cocktails, and world-class live performance in an elegant mid-century supper club setting. Tip: Dunsmore Jazz Room shows sell out quickly for prime weekend holiday dates; book dinner and show seating together early. The Wizard of Oz at Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts (Ramsey) Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts in Ramsey brings heartwarming, family-centered theater to the stage this December with their production of The Wizard of Oz. It is an enchanting way to celebrate the holiday season with audiences of all generations. Dates: Performances run through December 20 (including a special December Sing-Along show). The Vibe: High-energy, community-centered performing arts where youth and local performers shine in a welcoming, accessible theater. Family Perk: Ample free parking and matinee showtimes make it an easy holiday outing with kids and grandparents alike. Holiday Dinner Theater: “Death by Dauber” at Majestic Oaks (Ham Lake) Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake teams up with The Mystery Café to present an engaging, laugh-out-loud holiday dinner theater experience: Death by Dauber. Hosted in the club’s grand ballroom,it is the ultimate interactive evening out. Holiday Dates: December 12, 18, and 19 The Concept: An interactive murder mystery comedy where guests actively participate in solving the crime between courses. Dining Seating: Includes a multi-course banquet dinner served alongside the show, making it a turnkey choice for holiday parties, friend groups, and family get-togethers. Campus Holiday Traditions: Bethel University University of Northwestern Collegiate theater and music departments in the north metro present some of the region’s most beloved annual holiday traditions: Bethel University in Arden Hills hosts its landmark Festival of Christmas in the Benson Great Hall. Dates: Early December (December 3–5) Highlights: Combining massed choirs, symphonic orchestras, dramatic narration, and pageantry, this production is one of the premier seasonal performance traditions in the Twin Cities. University of Northwestern – St. Paul stages an authentic seasonal theatrical classic: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at the Patsy Miller Studio Theatre. Dates: December 8–12 Highlights: Actors bring Frank Capra’s timeless holiday story to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage microphone setups and live on-stage sound effects. Heart of the City Music Factory (Anoka) Heart of the City Music Factory offers one of the most charming, intimate listening rooms in the Gateway, tucked on the second floor of the historic Old Milk Factory along the Rum River in Anoka. With exposed brick, warm lighting, and stellar acoustics, this boutique venue rolls out a festive mix of musical comedy, gospel, holiday carols, and seasonal stage revues throughout November and December. Holiday Dates: Select dates from November 21 through December 19 Featured Holiday Shows: The Smothers Others Tribute Show: A salute to musical comedy legends starring Paul Aldrich (November 21). Kimberly Brown – Home for the Holidays: An energetic, gospel-influenced Christmas concert with Grammy-winning vocalist Kimberly Brown (December 5). A North Sea Holiday: A festive Celtic and European-inspired seasonal showcase (December 16). An Evening of Christmas Carols: A classic community carol sing-along led by Dan and Sandy Adler (December 19). The Vibe: An authentic, cozy concert-hall setting where every seat feels close to the stage, complete with fresh coffee and baked goods available during performances. Make an Evening of It: Located on 4th Avenue, it pairs perfectly with a pre-show dinner downtown and a stroll through the Anoka Social District. (Note: Venue access involves stairs to the second floor). The post Celebrating the Season: Holiday Theater Stage Performances in the Twin Cities Gateway appeared first on Twin Cities Gateway. ...read more read less