Shows Worldwide 

Holiday Songs in Musical Theatre

Drew Janine
Holiday Songs in Musical Theatre
As the festive season casts its spell, holiday songs in musical theatre on New York’s Broadway and London’s West End stages come alive with the sparkle of holiday cheer. These melodies, filled with joy, nostalgia, and warmth, have become beloved staples for audiences around the world, blending the magic of the winter holidays with the grandeur of the stage.

A History of Christmas on Stage

Christmas has long been a muse for musical theatre, with many productions weaving the holiday spirit into their storytelling. Charles Dickens’A Christmas Carol has inspired countless adaptations, including Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens’ 1994 musical version. This show delights audiences with its rousing ensemble numbers like “Fezziwig’s Annual Christmas Ball” and touching solos like “A Place Called Home,” reminding us of the power of redemption and goodwill.

Holiday Songs in Musical Theatre

Other classics, such asIrving Berlin’s White Christmas, bring holiday standards to the theatre, including the timeless title song “White Christmas.” This show transports audiences to a snowy Vermont inn, where love and holiday cheer overcome all obstacles.

Original Christmas Songs in Musicals

Some musicals create their own festive tracks that become instant classics. Broadway’sElf: The Musical, based on the 2003 film, features heartwarming original songs like “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” and “There Is a Santa Claus,” which capture the exuberance and wonder of the season.

Holiday Songs in Musical Theatre

The West End’sNativity! The Musical also shines with original holiday music, delivering joyous tunes such as “Sparkle and Shine,” celebrating the magic of Christmas through the lens of a children’s nativity play.

Musicals with Seasonal Cameos

Though not exclusively Christmas-themed, many iconic musicals feature memorable holiday moments. The Radio CityChristmas Spectacular, featuring the world-famous Rockettes, is an annual tradition blending musical theatre with precision choreography in a dazzling celebration of the holidays.

Holiday Songs in Musical Theatre

Similarly,Meet Me in St. Louis, while primarily set across an entire year, includes the poignant Christmas ballad “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which became a holiday staple after Judy Garland’s performance in the 1944 film and its subsequent stage adaptation.

The Contemporary Stage

Recent years have seen a resurgence of festive musicals and Christmas-themed productions in both Broadway and the West End. New works likeA Christmas Story: The Musical bring fresh life to beloved holiday tales, complete with toe-tapping numbers and heartfelt moments.

Beyond dedicated productions, seasonal revues and holiday concerts also highlight the versatility of musical theatre. Shows likeHome for the Holidays on Broadway or festive editions ofWest End Miscast blend beloved Christmas carols with the theatrical flair audiences adore.

Why Christmas and Theatre Are a Perfect Match

Christmas and musical theatre share a core element: the ability to inspire joy, bring people together, and evoke a sense of wonder. Whether through a traditional carol or an original composition, holiday songs in musicals help audiences rediscover the magic of the season, proving that the theatre is truly a place where dreams come alive.

As Christmas approaches, the stages of Broadway and the West End glitter not just with lights but with music that warms hearts and lifts spirits. So, this season, whether you’re listening to the classics or discovering a new holiday tune, let the songs of the stage remind you of the joy, hope, and magic that make the winter holidays truly the best time of the year.

 

All photos from iStock.
Drew Janine
Live Sound Engineer -EUROPE
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.

Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.

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Drew Janine

Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.