New York City isn’t the only place to catch a great show! There are so many family-friendly theater options in Boston for plays, musicals, and all sorts of shows your kids will love. You can catch anything from a classic like “Annie” to a live viewing of Paw Patrol or a concert by your kid’s favorite singer! Here are a few upcoming shows in the Boston area — get your tickets now!
(Looking for holiday-specific shows? We have a list for that, too!)
Blue Man Group
Charles Playhouse, Boston
Ongoing
All ages
Blue Man Group will rock every one of your senses! The three Blue Men will amaze you with their talent and tickle your funny bone as you celebrate human connection through art, music, comedy, and non-verbal communication!
Puppet Showplace Theater Performances
Puppet Showplace Theater, Brookline
Ongoing
Ages 3-9
Each year, Puppet Showcase Theater presents more than 300 performances by professional puppet companies to audiences in the intimate Brookline Village theater. The shows on the main stage are great for kids and families to enjoy together. There are various performances throughout the fall, including interactive performances for infants and preschoolers.
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello
Hanover Theatre, Worcester
March 19
All ages
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood at Sesame Street Live! Sing, dance, and play alongside your favorite characters while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a fun game of hide and seek.
Curious George: The Golden Meatball
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
March 22
All ages
Join Curious George, the inquisitive and lovable monkey, in a brand-new musical! All-you-can-eat meatball day comes just once a year, and George has been waiting for that day. But Meatball Day may be ruined thanks to Phinneas T. Lightspeed and his speedy Meatballs-o-Matic machine. George takes the audience through a fun-filled adventure with every swing and flip. He learns about Rome, meatballs, and the secret ingredient to cooking!
Paw Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure
Wang Theatre, Boston
March 29-30
All ages
Join Chase, Marshall, Skye, and the gang as they try to save the biggest party in Adventure City from being ruined by Supervillian Scientist Victoria Vance. It’ll take the power of paw-sitivity and teamwork to foil her plans and save the day! This Paw Patrol adventure is filled with heroic action, catchy tunes, and interactive fun.
The Lightning Thief
Dinah Lane Theater, Watertown
April 4-6
All Ages
In this adaptation of the popular book, teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod. Percy and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods. This production features performers in grades 6-9.
Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live!
Hanover Theatre, Worcester
April 9
All ages
The Fraggles embark on an adventurous journey in this live show that includes immersive special effects, interactivity, heartwarming moments, hilarious new characters, and more. This unforgettable theater experience is perfect for families with young first-time theatergoers and for Fraggle Rock fans who are young at heart.
Pete The Cat
Greater Boston Stage Company
April 10-11
Grades PK-3
For Pete the Cat, life is always an adventure. When Pete sets out on a mission to help his friend Jimmy conquer second-grade art, they both learn a little something new about inspiration and friendship. Join Jimmy and Pete on their adventure all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus.
How I Became a Pirate & Seussical Kids
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
April 12-13
All ages
This two-part show features two thirty-minute musicals performed by an elementary school-aged cast. Audiences will first sail off on a musical excursion with a band of comical pirates in a swashbuckling musical adventure. Then Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters will spring to life onstage in Seussical Kids, another musical extravaganza.
Beetlejuice Jr.
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
April 12-13
All ages
Based on the motion picture turned Broadway phenomenon, the frightfully funny musical is performed by a school-aged cast. Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager, and her father move to a new house haunted by a recently deceased couple and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a zest for life.
Dog Man the Musical
Lynn Auditorium, Lynn
April 23
All ages
This hilarious musical is based on the best-selling book series by Dav Pilkey. The story follows Dog Man, a crime-fighting character with the head of a dog and the body of a police officer. He tries his best to be a good boy while saving the city from Flippy, the cyborg fish, and Petey, the world’s most evil cat.
Blippi: Join the Band Tour
Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston
April 27
All ages
Grab your drumsticks, tune up your guitar, and get ready to move your feet with Blippi, Meekah, their singing and dancing friends, and live musicians. Through well-known Blippi hits, you’ll explore what makes music, including sounds, rhythms, and instruments. It’s sure to be a musical performance that’s fun for the whole family!
Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends
Greater Boston Stage Company
May 15-16
Grades K-4
This fun musical, based on Andrea Beaty’s books, follows three inquisitive, out-of-the-box thinkers. Rosie Revere has big dreams, Iggy Peck has a passion for architecture, and Ada Twist’s curiosity helps her solve any problem. The storyline spotlights the STEM curriculum (focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math).
CoComelon Sing-a-long Live
Hanover Theatre, Worcester
May 16
All ages
Join CoComelon’s favorite teacher, Ms. Appleberry, JJ, and his friends on a Melon Patch Musical field trip! Get ready to dance and sing along to some of your favorite songs, including “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Wheels on the Bus,” “Animal Dance,” “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes,” “Freeze Dance,” and many more.
The Prom
Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston
May 17-June 8
Ages 8+
When four eccentric Broadway stars hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they decide to shine a spotlight on the issue. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow, but one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom. The Broadway stars join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens, resulting in love bringing them all together.
Shrek The Musical JR.
Greater Boston Stage Company, Stoneham
May 24
All ages
Students and staff collaborate as a creative team to create this production based on the Oscar-winning animated film. It is part romance and part twisted fairy tale with a powerful message. Everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.
CoComelon Sing-a-long Live
Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston
June 7
All Ages
Join CoComelon’s favorite teacher, Ms. Appleberry, JJ, and his friends on a Melon Patch Musical field trip! Get ready to dance and sing along to some of your favorite songs, including “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Wheels on the Bus,” “Animal Dance,” “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes,” “Freeze Dance,” and many more.
The Wiggles: Bouncing Balls Tour
Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston
June 29
All ages
The world’s most popular children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles, is back for their biggest global tour ever, and they’re making a stop in Boston! This new, high-energy show is based on their smash hit single Bouncing Balls. Get ready to sing, dance, wiggle, and be amazed as the stage transforms into a dazzling playground of bouncing balls. The Wiggles’ signature mix of entertainment and education will keep even the youngest audience members engaged.
Back to The Future
Citizen’s Bank Opera House, Boston
July 8-20
Ages 6+
This beloved cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical. Marty McFly time-travels back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown. When Marty accidentally changes the course of history, he finds himself in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future.
The Wizard of OZ
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
July 8-20
Ages 5+
Travel down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy and Toto, joined by their cast of friends, as they embark on a magical adventure to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz promises to enchant audiences with dazzling choreography and spectacular special effects.
Finding Nemo Jr.
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
July 24-25
All ages
A school-aged cast performs this 60-minute musical adaptation of the movie Finding Nemo. An anxious and overprotective clownfish, Marlin lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his son Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their home. When Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, his dad faces his fears and travels across the ocean to find him. With the help of a lovable cast of characters, Marlin and Nemo overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
The Wiz
Citizen’s Bank Opera House, Boston
August 12-24
All ages
The Tony Award-winning musical, The Wiz, is coming to Boston! This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz includes an iconic score filled with soul, gospel, rock, and ’70s funk, along with a dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop. Audiences will enjoy this stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.
Grease
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
August 12-24
Ages 5+
In this all-new production of Grease, relive the timeless story of bad boy Danny and new girl Sandy as they fall in love. Enjoy hit songs like “You’re The One That I Want,” “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” and many more from the hit movie and Broadway musical!
Footloose Youth Edition
North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
August 22
All ages
Summer education program students perform this 60-minute version of the hit Broadway musical. When Ren moves from Chicago to a small farming town, he is shocked that dancing is banned. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation. The heartfelt story that emerges celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with love and an open mind.
This post was first published in 2023 by Allison Margolies and is updated regularly to feature upcoming shows!
