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The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank turns into Monmouth County’s holiday stage from Thanksgiving weekend through the days before Christmas. Here are the 2026 holiday shows worth booking now, from a Charlie Brown Christmas for the kids to the Nutcracker and a Christmas classic from Darlene Love.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas, Live on Stage
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The beloved holiday special comes to life on stage with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the whole Peanuts gang. Two afternoon shows on Thanksgiving weekend make this the easiest family pick on the list, and a fun way to start the season with younger kids.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 5 p.m.
This family friendly holiday circus pairs acrobatics, aerial acts and stunts with well known holiday music, following characters who land in a winter wonderland and rediscover their holiday spirit. Limited VIP packages include a behind the scenes tour before the show, and the 5 p.m. start works well for families who want a big holiday show without a late night.
Everett Bradley’s Holidelic
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Sunday, December 6, 2026, 7 p.m.
Holidelic is the funk driven holiday show from Grammy nominated singer and percussionist Everett Bradley, whose credits include work with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Expect original 1970s and 1980s inspired songs, reimagined classics and a show that blends theater with a club dance floor, at The Vogel on the Basie campus.
The Nutcracker
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Friday, December 11, 2026 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 12 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Sunday, December 13 at 1 p.m.
CODA presents four performances of the holiday ballet in the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, following Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on their Christmas Eve journey to the Land of Sweets. Doors open one hour before each show.
Holiday Express
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Holiday Express presents its Ultimate Holiday Show with 50 professional musicians and singers performing traditional, gospel and rock and soul holiday music. Now in its 34th season, the volunteer group brings music, clothing, food and support to neighbors in need across the Shore, which makes this one of the most heartwarming nights of the season in Red Bank.
Pink Martini All-Stars
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Lauderdale’s Pink Martini is joined by longtime collaborators Ari Shapiro, Edna Vazquez and Jimmie Herrod for a festive mix of classic pop, big band sound and Hollywood glamour, a midweek holiday concert that pairs perfectly with dinner downtown.
Monmouth Civic Chorus: Sing Hallelujah!
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Sunday, December 20, 2026, 4 p.m.
The Monmouth Civic Chorus presents its annual holiday concert with soloists and a professional orchestra, featuring sing along carols, selections from Handel’s Messiah and three settings of Hallelujah by Handel, Beethoven and Margaret Bonds. A Sunday afternoon concert the weekend before Christmas is a lovely tradition to share with grandparents.
Darlene Love
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts campus, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Wednesday, December 23, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love, the voice behind Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), returns to the Basie two nights before Christmas. It is a high spirited way to close out the season.
More holiday nights at the Basie
The Basie’s holiday calendar runs even deeper. A Drag Queen Christmas plays Tuesday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Love Actually in Concert screens the film with live music on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. In December, look for The Weeklings on Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m., The Sensational Soul Cruisers on Saturday, December 12 at 7 p.m., LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah on Sunday, December 13 at 4 p.m., Home for the Holidays starring That Motown Band on Friday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m., Brian Kirk and the Jirks: Santa for Lunch Break on Saturday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m., Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank on Sunday, December 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the Steven Page Trio on Tuesday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Holiday shows at the Basie sell out every year, so it pays to book early. Tickets are sold through the Basie website and box office at 732-842-9000. Pair your show with dinner on Broad Street or Monmouth Street and a walk past the downtown holiday lights. For more holiday events across the county, keep following Shop Monmouth County.
Photo: Jonathan Schilling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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