Making the Season Bright with Accessible Holiday Shows for All
The holiday season is well underway and we have a show for everyone, including accessible performances across the Bay Area.
The Bay Area’s arts scene is embracing the holiday spirit with a growing commitment to accessibility. Across the city, organizations are ensuring that everyone has the chance to enjoy the magic of the season by providing services from ASL interpretation to sensory-friendly performances designed for young audiences.
If you’re seeking inclusive experiences—whether it’s festive musicals, enchanting ballets, or heartwarming theatre productions—this season offers a variety of performances to make the holidays bright for all.
On the Stage
What do Muppets, George Frideric Handel, and a Harlem braid salon have in common? They are all on stage this week in the Bay Area, along with more holiday surprises.
Handel’s Messiah
Classical | San Francisco Symphony
December 6 – 7 | Tickets
George Frideric Handel’s Messiah was an instant classic soon after its 1742 premiere and has been a holiday tradition around the world ever since. Through a dramatic series of arias, recitatives, and choruses, Handel offers a musical meditation on Christ’s birth, life, and resurrection—and his message of redemption.
More Events
- The Matchbox Magic Flute | Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Now – December 15 | View the Program
- Jaja's African Hair Braiding | Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Now – December 15 | View the Program
- A Whynot Christmas Carol | American Conservatory Theater | Now – December 24 | View the Program
- The Muppet Christmas Carol | San Francisco Symphony | December 12 – 14 | View the Program
Next Line
Magical craft nights, gift ideas, and a Vogue cover story are explored this week.
- Join Berkeley Rep and Ace Makerspace on December 11, for Magic Craft Night—a fun-filled, family-friendly evening of creativity! Unleash your inner magician by decorating your own crown and crafting a custom wand to spark the magic. Then, top off the night with a captivating performance of The Matchbox Magic Flute.
- Need a gift for a White Elephant or Secret Santa exchange? San Francisco Opera gift certificates allow the recipient to choose which opera they’d like to attend. Just pick an amount and leave the rest to them.
- San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director Tamara Rojo speaks in this month’s Vogue Spain cover story. She speaks openly about making the arts more accessible, her inspiring message for the next generation of dancers, and her commitment to the mental and physical well-being of students and company artists—all while boldly reshaping the future of ballet with clarity, innovation, and vision. (The article is in Spanish, but use that handy Google translate and you’ll be good to go.)
