The lights are twinkling in downtown Staunton, the wreaths are up at the Blackfriars Playhouse, and the cast of A Christmas Carol is ready to welcome you into a story that reminds us how generosity, kindness, and connection can transform a life. The American Shakespeare Center’s 2025 holiday season brings together community, giving, and plenty of cozy fun. Here is everything happening at the Blackfriars Playhouse this December.
Out in the Community: Parade and Celebration of Lights
(Gypsy Hill Park Celebration of Lights display with William Shakespeare. Photo by October Grace Media.)
The holiday season begins out in the heart of Staunton. On December 1 at 7 p.m., you can find the ASC in the Holly Jolly Holiday Christmas Parade, where actors dressed as Londoners from A Christmas Carol will be greeting neighbors along the route and handing out free ASC stickers. It is a lively way to welcome December and share a little cheer before the show opens at the Playhouse.
The festivities continue at the Gypsy Hill Park Celebration of Lights, where our holiday display features the Blackfriars Playhouse and a lantern-holding William Shakespeare are ready to greet you. It is a bright and joyful stop along the glowing loop and a reminder that shared light shines throughout our community this time of year.
A Christmas Carol Returns to the Blackfriars Playhouse
The holidays officially begin when A Christmas Carol takes the stage. Directed by ASC Veteran Stephanie Holladay Earl, this year’s production brings fresh energy, heartfelt storytelling, and that unmistakable Blackfriars magic that feels like gathering beside a warm fire.
Pay-What-You-Will Previews
- Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m.
No ticket needed. Simply arrive early and check in with the Box Office. These previews fill quickly, so plan to arrive 30 to 60 minutes beforehand for first-come, first-served seating.
Fancy Pajama Nights: Every Wednesday
Wednesday nights at the Playhouse get extra cozy. Join us for Fancy Pajama Night, where families, friends, and festive groups gather in their favorite pajamas to enjoy the show together. After the final bow and once the actors have cleared the stage, everyone is invited to take a holiday photo onstage. It is a midweek treat that feels warm, joyful, and picture-perfect.
Learn More about Fancy Pajama Night
ASL-Interpreted Performance
(ASL-Interpretted performance of Sense & Sensibility, 2025. Photo by Madison Patterson)
ASC is committed to accessible theatre experiences for all. Our ASL-interpreted performance of A Christmas Carol takes place:
This performance supports deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members by offering a fully interpreted experience in the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Book Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL with ASL-Interpretation
Project Goodfellow: Give Back This Season
Project Goodfellow returns as ASC’s beloved community-giving tradition. This year, ASC is partnering with Augusta County Preschools to support local families with early-education resources and joyful gifts for preschool-aged children.
Here are the items most sought after:
- Books (Ages 3–5)
- Small toys (Puzzles, building blocks, Matchbox cars)
- Art supplies (Crayons, coloring books, small craft kits)
- Winter accessories (Hats, scarves, mittens)
- Children’s Socks (size 4/5 or 5/6 socks, bonus if they are fun of fuzzy)
- Small children’s blankets (Soft, compact sizes, like those found at Walmart)
- Play-Doh or kinetic sand (Small individual containers)
- Bubbles (Small Individual bottles)
- Bath and toiletry items (Age-appropriate)
Drop Off Your Donation:
Dates: December 3–7, 2025
Location: Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S Market Street, Staunton, VA
Project Goodfellow began in 2018, founded by ASC actor Constance Swain, and continues to adapt each year to meet the needs of our neighbors. When you bring a gift, you share warmth and support with local families during the most meaningful time of the year.
Learn More about Project Goodfellow
Lights On Blackfriars
Join us onDecember 5 for a Lights ON Blackfriars Conversation with DirectorStephanie Holladay Earl who is in her 14th Holiday season at ASC withA Christmas Carol. Check out Stephanie’s director notes for this production of A Christmas Carol.
As 2026 arrives, I find myself celebrating my fourteenth holiday season with A Christmas Carol at the ASC—a tradition that continues to fill my heart and challenge my mind each year. There’s something magical about this space and this story in December. Every time we return to Dickens’ classic, I’m struck by how much we still need it.
The world can feel so heavy these days—full of conflict, division, and noise. And with so many of us glued to our screens, it’s easy to drift apart and forget the simple act of truly connecting with one another. A Christmas Carol calls us back to what matters most: compassion, forgiveness, and community.
Early in the story, Jacob Marley reminds Scrooge—and all of us—of a painful truth: “Mankind was my business.” That single line feels more urgent now than ever. It reminds us that our lives are deeply intertwined, and that how we treat one another matters far more than wealth, success, or comfort.
Scrooge’s transformation offers hope that change is always possible—that it’s never too late to turn outward and open our hearts. This play invites us to pause and reflect on how we care for one another, and to rediscover the joy of gathering together in person—sharing stories, laughter, and music in the same room. That’s the true magic of live theatre.
As Scrooge promises at the end of his journey, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” May we all carry that spirit with us beyond these walls—into our homes, our communities, and our everyday lives.
Thank you for spending part of your holiday with us. It means the world to share this story, this space, and this tradition with you. Welcome to our Christmas Carol family.
— Stephanie Holladay Earl
Learn More About Lights ON Blackfriars & Watch Previous Discussions
Share the Light: A Free Community Celebration
This December, ASC proudly hosts Share the Light, an evening that brings together student artists from across the Shenandoah Valley. Performances include work from the ASC Drama Clubs, Silver Line Theatre Exchange, and Staunton High School. Admission is free.
The event is organized by Lia Wallace, ASC’s Education Programs Manager, who has spent more than a decade shaping the next generation of artists through ASC’s camps, programs, and training opportunities. It is something special to watch a young performer step into shared light for the first time, isn’t it?
Bring your family and friends and cheer on the rising artists in our community.
Reserve Your Seat for Share the Light
Give, Gather, and Celebrate at the Playhouse
Whether you are joining us for a cozy Wednesday in pajamas, supporting young artists, giving back through Project Goodfellow, or sitting in awe during A Christmas Carol, the holiday season at ASC is shaped by the people who gather here. The Playhouse shines brighter when our community comes together. We cannot wait to celebrate with you.