Holiday Shows Near Clemmons in 2026: The Nutcracker, Messiah, A Christmas Carol and More

Mid-November is when holiday plans start filling up, and the best seats for December shows go early. If you live around Clemmons, Lewisville or Advance, some of the region's biggest holiday performances are a short drive up I-40 in Winston-Salem. Here's what's on the 2026 calendar, plus one local market to put on your list first.

Dates, times and prices below were checked on each organizer's own website in early November 2026. Things can change, so take a quick look before you buy or head out.

Sunday, November 22: Holiday Pop-Up Market in Clemmons

Start close to home. The Clemmons Farmers Market is holding a Holiday Pop-Up Market on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Jerry Long Family YMCA, 1150 S. Peace Haven Road in Clemmons. The Village of Clemmons calendar describes it as a chance to shop local vendors and find unique gifts.

It's an easy way to get a jump on holiday shopping without fighting mall traffic, and it's the weekend before Thanksgiving, so you can pick up a hostess gift or two while you're there.

November 28 and 29: Cirque de la Symphonie with the Winston-Salem Symphony

Thanksgiving weekend has a show built for it. The Winston-Salem Symphony is joined by Cirque de la Symphonie, with aerial acrobats, jugglers and contortionists performing to live orchestra music.

• When: Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 29 at 3 p.m.
• Where: Reynolds Auditorium, 301 Hawthorne Road NW, Winston-Salem
• Tickets: listed at $28 to $98 on the Symphony's website

If you have relatives in town for the holiday, the Sunday matinee is a nice way to end the weekend before everyone heads home.

December 3 to 6: UNCSA's "The Nutcracker" goes back to where it started

This year is a special one. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts first staged "The Nutcracker" at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium on December 10, 1966. Sixty years later, while its longtime home at the Stevens Center is being renovated, the production is going back to Reynolds Auditorium.

The show brings together UNCSA students from the schools of Dance, Music, and Design and Production, with Tchaikovsky's score played live by the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra.

• Thursday, December 3: 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, December 4: 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 5: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, December 6: 1 p.m.
• Tickets: start at $39, plus taxes and fees

There are only five performances, so this is the one to book first. UNCSA also says it's hoping to hear from people who saw that first 1966 production. If that's you or someone in your family, the details are on the Nutcracker page at uncsa.edu.

December 11 to 20: "A Christmas Carol" at the Little Theatre

The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem presents Charlie Lovett's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" at the Reynolds Place Theatre.

• When: December 11 to 13 and December 17 to 20, 2026. Thursday to Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
• Tickets: $13.50 to $28.50
• On sale: single tickets go on sale November 20
• Run time: about 2.5 hours

The theater also asks guests to bring shelf-stable food donations, which is a nice touch for the season.

Thursday, December 17: Handel's "Messiah"

For a lot of people, it isn't Christmas without "Messiah." The Winston-Salem Symphony and Symphony Chorus perform Handel's "Messiah" with guest soloists on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium. Tickets are listed at $28 to $98.

A few tips for show nights

• Buy early. Weekend evenings and matinees usually go first.
• Leave extra time. December weekends get busy around Winston-Salem, especially with the holiday lights running at the same time.
• Make a night of it. Pair a show with dinner in town, or with a drive past the lights on the way home.

For more seasonal ideas, see our 2026 guide to holiday lights, parades and tree lightings.

Thinking about a move before next holiday season?

Being a short drive from all of this is a big part of living in Clemmons, Lewisville and Advance. If you're starting to look, browse Clemmons homes for sale, read about the area on our Clemmons page, or see our Winston-Salem real estate page. Already own a home and wondering what it's worth? Get a free home value.

Call or text Terri Bias and Associates at 336-361-1230.