As winter settles over the Upstate, Spartanburg is heating up with a vibrant lineup of plays, concerts and cultural events. From holiday classics and Broadway hits to orchestral performances and comedy shows, Spartanburg High School students and the Hub City’s venues offer a diverse array of entertainment options to enjoy throughout the season, running from December 2025 through March 2026.
The holiday spirit is in full swing throughout December, starting with the beloved tradition of Ballet Spartanburg’s The Nutcracker. This production returns with new costumes and choreography, accompanied by the Spartanburg Philharmonic, offering performances at Twichell Auditorium on the Converse University campus from Dec. 12–14, 2025.
There is also Philharmonic’s annual Hub City Holiday concert, featuring festive music and community spirit at Twichell Auditorium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. For a free musical treat, the Spartanburg Community Band presents A Christmas Portrait, featuring joyous carols and holiday favorites at the Chapman Cultural Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.
Other December events include pianist Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on Dec. 14, Andrew Peterson’s seasonal musical event Behold the Lamb of God on Dec. 20, and Arts in Motion students performing The Magic Music Box on Dec. 19.
Spartanburg High School students participate in many of these traditions, bringing holiday spirit and joy, and starting with choir and band concerts. Students at Spartanburg High School played and sang their hearts out to celebrate the joy of Christmas.
Miriam Page (11), who is a dedicated musical arts student, explains all the winter productions she is part of and how she illuminates the Christmas spirit.
“I am a part of the choir and orchestra program, and I performed in many concerts. The two Christmas concerts I was in helped spread holiday magic because everyone comes together to listen to music, while we get to provide it for them, which spreads happiness throughout the entire theatre,” Page said.
Many students of Spartanburg High School are also involved in companies like the Spartanburg Little Theater, which recently produced the play “Frozen.” They performed for friends and family, dancing and singing to “Frozen” songs.
Moss-Evelyn Wise (11), who is an award-winning performer, describes her experience in the “Frozen” play.
“In the ‘Frozen’ play, presented by Spartanburg Little Theater, I was Anna. It was a magical experience to perform in front of hundreds of people and spread the holiday joy. I am also a part of a choir in which we had a holiday concert,” Wise said.
Many students feel the holiday music with each note they play on their instrument, with band and orchestra performances bringing holiday joy.
Caleb Billings (10), who is an enthusiastic and musically talented student, describes how each concert allows him to feel the holiday magic.
“I believe winter concerts bring holiday magic because there are different kinds of music, like band, orchestra, and choir, that can bring holiday magic. The band brings holiday magic by making great and harmonious sounds with brass instruments to make a very ignite flow throughout the concert, and people would know the tune and sometimes sing along to the music while the band is playing it. Orchestra brings holiday magic by also making harmonious sounds with string instruments, and those instruments make a mesmerizing sound that is joyful. Lastly, choir brings holiday magic with different voices, whether they are high or even low. Choir brings holiday magic by hosting sing-along events during concerts with the carols, and the choir also includes upbeat versions of traditional pieces such as ‘Joy to the World,’ which was sung by the Chorale at the SHS Choir Winter Concert on Dec. 8,” Billings said.
The new year brings a fresh lineup of stage productions, seamlessly transitioning from local theatre features to national Broadway tours, making stops in Spartanburg. Kicking off 2026 is Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical, presented by the Spartanburg Little Theatre from Jan. 16–18 at the Chapman Cultural Center.
A major highlight of the winter season is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hadestown, which comes to the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 5, as part of the 2025–2026 Broadway in Spartanburg season. Later in March, The Simon & Garfunkel Story offers an immersive, concert-style theatre show chronicling the folk-rock duo’s journey, performing at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, March 24.
With such a packed schedule, there is no shortage of arts and entertainment in the Hub City this winter. For ticket information and full event calendars, be sure to visit the specific venue websites, such as the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium site or the Chapman Cultural Center calendar.
