I have a holiday recommendation for my friends here in Berea and Madison County, and this one has me pretty excited. One of my favorite movies of all time, White Christmas, is coming to the stage at the Lexington Opera House.
The Lexington Theatre Company will present Irving Berlin’s White Christmas November 19 through 22, 2026, at the Lexington Opera House, located at 401 West Short Street in downtown Lexington.
If you love the movie as much as I do, this is a chance to enjoy that holiday classic in a whole different way. And the best part? We don’t have to travel to New York City to see a Broadway-quality musical. Lexington is close enough for a night out, and this production brings Broadway talent right here to Central Kentucky.
Six Chances to See White Christmas
The Lexington Theatre Company has scheduled six performances over four days, giving families and theater lovers several opportunities to make the trip.
Here is the complete schedule:
Thursday, November 19: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 20: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 22: 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
I especially like seeing both afternoon and evening performances on the schedule. Not everyone wants to drive home from Lexington late at night, and a Saturday or Sunday matinee gives families another option.
Just pay attention to the Sunday evening performance. It begins at 6:30 p.m., an hour earlier than the other evening shows.
Tickets are on sale now, and with the performances coming up in just a couple of weeks, this is a good time to start making plans.
A Christmas Movie That Never Gets Old
I don’t think I could ever get tired of White Christmas.
The original film, released in 1954, has become one of those holiday traditions that people return to year after year. Irving Berlin’s music is a big part of what makes it so special.
There is something about a classic Christmas musical that just feels right this time of year. The music, the dancing, and the warmth of a familiar holiday tradition make it easy to forget about the day’s worries for a little while.
But this year, we have another option.
We can actually go see White Christmas performed live on stage, and that is just really cool.
Broadway Talent Right Here in Kentucky
What makes this particular production interesting is the level of talent The Lexington Theatre Company brings together.
The company describes its casts as combining Broadway veterans, rising stars, and local professionals. That means audiences have an opportunity to enjoy performers with a variety of professional backgrounds without leaving Central Kentucky.
The production also features Randy Skinner’s Tony-nominated Broadway choreography.
That is a significant detail for a musical like White Christmas. Music and dance are central to its appeal, and choreography with that kind of Broadway background is a good reason to pay attention to this production.
For me, the appeal of live theater goes beyond recognizing the songs or knowing the movie. A film unfolds the same way every time we watch it, but a live performance happens right in front of us. The performers and the audience share that experience together, and even a familiar story can feel new.
And while I love having professional touring productions available in Kentucky, I also appreciate companies that bring professional talent together with local artists. It creates opportunities for performers here in our region while giving audiences access to a high level of theater.
The Lexington Theatre Company is doing exactly that with White Christmas.
Special Performances and Accessibility
There are a couple of additional details worth mentioning for anyone choosing which performance to attend.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided during the Saturday, November 21, matinee at 1:00 p.m.
The Trailblazers will also perform 15 minutes before curtain on Thursday evening and before the Saturday and Sunday matinees.
Those are nice additions to the schedule, particularly for families planning an afternoon outing or guests who would benefit from ASL interpretation.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas are available through Ticketmaster.
You can find tickets for all six performances through the official Ticketmaster listing.
Tickets are also available through the Central Bank Center ticket office.
For anyone who prefers speaking to a person, the ticket office can be reached at 859-233-3535, Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
In-person ticket office hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from noon until 4:00 p.m.
I recommend checking available seats and ticket prices before making the drive.
And Back Home in Berea, More Christmas Theater Is Coming
Of course, our holiday theater season doesn’t end with a trip to Lexington.
Back home at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road in Berea, our Bluegrass Players will present Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Dinner Show December 17 through 20.
I’ll be directing this family-friendly adaptation by Jeremy Grant, which includes dinner as part of the experience.
Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 6:30 p.m., with a Sunday performance on December 20 at 1:30 p.m. The complete experience runs approximately three hours, including dinner.
You can learn more about our Christmas Carol Dinner Show here.
Since the two productions take place several weeks apart, there is no reason you can’t enjoy both. A Broadway-style holiday musical in Lexington in November and a Christmas dinner show right here in Berea in December sound like a pretty good start to the season to me.
Make a Little Room for Christmas Theater
I know November gets busy. Thanksgiving is coming, Christmas shopping is starting, and calendars fill up quickly.
But I believe it is worth making time for the arts during the holidays, especially when a production like White Christmas is happening so close to home.
We are fortunate to have professional theater opportunities within driving distance of Berea, along with the community productions happening in our own backyard.
If you get the opportunity to see Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Lexington Opera House, it could make a wonderful holiday outing.
And whether you make the trip or not, I still have one recommendation.
Find an evening this Christmas season, curl up somewhere comfortable, and watch the movie.
It is one of my favorites for a reason.
And if you get to see it live on stage in Lexington, too?
Well, that’s just an extra bit of Christmas magic.
✍️ About the Author
Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School and The Spotlight Playhouse. A resident of Berea, Kentucky, and a former member of the Berea Council, he has spent decades working in community theater, arts education, and local journalism. Since 1995, he has operated BereaOnline.com, focusing on local news, civic issues, and stories that highlight community collaboration and grassroots efforts across Madison County.
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📅 Upcoming Community & Theater Events
- November 19–22, 2026: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, presented by The Lexington Theatre Company at the Lexington Opera House, 401 West Short Street, Lexington. Thu/Fri 7:30 p.m.; Sat 1:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Sun 1:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. 🎄
- December 17–20, 2026: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Dinner Show, presented by The Bluegrass Players at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea. Thu/Fri/Sat 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 20, at 1:30 p.m. 🎄
- November 28-29, 2026: Old Time Christmas Radio Show — Bluegrass Players at The Spotlight Playhouse (Sat 7:00 PM, Sun 2:00 PM). 🎙️
- December 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 2026: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — Spotlight on Faith at The Spotlight Playhouse. 🎭
This article originally appeared on BereaOnline.com – your home for Madison County news, community events, and local updates.