Exposure to the performing arts helps kids in immeasurable ways. See what local companies and venues have in store this spring.
Portland’s array of fantastic performing arts organizations depend on local families to keep churning out hit seasons. That’s why being a season subscriber makes a big difference. But if you are itching to buy tickets right now, here’s what’s on stage!
October
Hansel and Gretel
Oregon Ballet Theatre
When: October 5-12, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm at the Keller Auditorium.
Ages 8 and up.
Riffing on silent, black-and-white films and inspired by the spooky season, this ballet starts slowly and then quickly explodes into a candy-filled wonderland! You might need to take the kids out for treats after seeing it, but it’ll be worth the sugar high.
BODYTRAFFIC
White Bird
When: Thursday to Saturday, October 10-12 at the Newmark Theater.
Ages 6 and up.
A joyful, upbeat dance performance featuring music from the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Blue Marigold
Northwest Children’s Theater at The Judy
When: October 12-27, Saturdays and Sundays at 12 pm and 3 pm at The Judy. ASL performance: October 13 at noon.
Most enjoyed by ages 10 and up.
Sammy Flores navigates a new home, new school, and a mom who doesn’t seem to understand her. When she discovers her secret superpower from the Land of the Dead, everything changes. This show is part of the Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) BIPOC Superhero Project, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the stories being created by TYA playwrights across the United States. Ages 10 and up.
November
Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical
Oregon Children’s Theatre
When: November 1-17, Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm and Sundays at 11 am and 2 pm.
Ages 6 and up.
Calling all Dave Pilkey fans! You’ve read Dog Man and Captain Underpants, so you know your kids are going to love Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical! Pro tip: The Newmark Theatre partners with KultureCity to provide sensory kits to families free of charge.
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Portland Youth Philharmonic
When: Saturday, November 9, 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Ages 10 and up.
PYP kicks off their 101st season with this rich concert.
Melodies of the Animal Kingdom
Oregon Symphony
When: Sunday, November 10 at 2 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Ages 4 and up.
Featuring the Pacific Youth Choir, this whimsical show promises to be “a toe-tapping, tail-wagging experience” centered on enjoying animals through music. Expect Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee and selections from Swan Lake in this interactive concert for the whole family.
The Force of Love
Metropolitan Youth Symphony
When: Sunday, November 10, 7:30 pm at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Ages 10 and up.
This show will feature work that explores love as a force that can break barriers, through the classic stories of Leonore and Florestan, Orpheus and Eurydice, and Romeo and Juliet.
Disney’s Frozen in Concert
Oregon Symphony
When: Saturday, November 16 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 17 at 2 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Ages 4 and up.
A fabulous chance for the kids to enjoy their favorite Disney movie on a big screen, with the Oregon Symphony performing the score live.
Petrushka and The Firebird
The Portland Ballet
When: November 29 to December 1 at 1 pm and 5 pm at Lincoln Performance Hall.
Ages 8 and up.
It’s hard to think of a better way to enjoy Thanksgiving weekend and the start of the holiday season than with this pair of performances. Set at the Heathman Hotel in the 1950s, Petrushka loves a dazzling lounge singer, who happens to love a dashing doorman. The Firebird tells the enchanting tale of a magical bird and a young prince’s quest to break an evil sorcerer’s spell.
December
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at The Judy. Courtesy of Northwest Children’s Theater.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Northwest Children’s Theater at The Judy
When: November 30 to December 29, Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 2:30 pm at The Judy. ASL performance on December 8 at 2:30 pm.
Most enjoyed by ages 3 and up.
A staged version of the holiday classic!
The Nutcracker
Oregon Ballet Theatre
When: December 7-24, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm at the Keller Auditorium.
Ages 6 and up.
George Balanchine’s dreamlike holiday ballet is a Portland tradition. A gigantic Christmas tree, toy soldiers, naughty mice, candy canes leaping and snowflakes whirling — it’s an easy-to-love introduction to the beauty of ballet for kids.
Hard-Boiled Eggnog: A Christmas Noir
Bag&Baggage Productions
When: December 5-22, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 pm at the Vault Theater and Event Space. ASL-interpreted and pay-what-you-can (PWYC) performance Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 pm, audio-described and PWYC performance Saturday, December 21, 7:30 pm.
Ages 8 and up.
Though this is a family-friendly play, Producing Artistic Director Nik Whitcomb wants parents to be aware that as the play opens, the main character Jangle (one of Santa’s elves) is mourning the loss of his brother when he learns that Santa has been murdered. Despite the grief-stricken start, Whitcomb promises a fun, joyful holiday play and that, yes, Santa is in fact alive and well.
Nutcracker “In A Nutshell”
Oregon Ballet Theatre
When: Friday, December 20 at noon at the Keller Auditorium.
All ages.
A one-hour version of OBT’s beloved Nutcracker (the full version tops two and a half hours), tailored with young children and those with sensory needs in mind. Sensory bags are offered at the entrance featuring headphones and fidgets, guests are invited to come and go as needed, and there is even a “calm down” room available. It’s a once-a-year offering, so nab your tickets ASAP.
Concert-at-Christmas: Out of this World
Portland Youth Philharmonic
When: Thursday, December 26, 7:30 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Ages 10 and up.
A concert around the holidays that’s anything but ordinary, it’ll feature John Williams’s Flying Theme from E.T., and more.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
When: Tuesday, December 31, 11 am-2 pm at The Reser.
Best for families with kids 10 and under.
A New Year’s celebration at a time that doesn’t mess with bedtime, the Portland Trail Blazers’ DJ OG One will be there spinning family-friendly tunes!
2025 Performances
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert
Oregon Symphony
When: Friday and Saturday, January 3-4 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, January 5 at 2 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Catch the powerful film with its equally powerful score performed live to kick off the new year.
123 Andrés
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
When: Friday, January 31, 11 am to noon at The Reser.
All ages.
This Grammy-winning duo is known for their interactive, high-energy shows and songs that blend Spanish and English, with an eclectic mix of sounds from all corners of Latin America.
The Sounds of Science
Oregon Symphony
When: Sunday, February 16 at 2 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Ages 5 and up.
Via several popular compositions and onstage demonstrations by Oregon Symphony musicians, curious little minds can learn all about vibrations, pitch, volume, sound waves and more! This promises to be a fun, educational and interactive concert.
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
White Bird
When: Wednesday, February 12 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Ages 6 and up.
A light-hearted, silly show from a company of world-class, all male-identifying ballet dancers performing in drag that promises to be good, campy fun.
Can’t get enough live theater? See our Performing Arts Guide for a comprehensive look at venues across the Portland metro area.
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