SA Children’s Theatre Presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

 

SA Children’s Theatre Presents “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

 

 

 

SA Children’s Theatre, Magik Theatre, invites families to get into the holiday spirit with their heartwarming stage adaptation of the beloved television classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sponsored by Whataburger and Valero, the production runs from November 22 through December 24.

 

 

 

This faithful retelling follows Charlie Brown as he embarks on a quest to discover the true meaning of the holiday season. Despite the decorations and cheerful spirit all around him, Charlie feels something is missing. With guidance from Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and the rest of their Peanuts friends, he takes on directing the school Christmas play, hoping it will help him find the reason for the season. Featuring the iconic original score by Vince Guaraldi, creator Charles M. Schulz’s gentle humor and a timeless message about love, community and simplicity, this family-friendly production will delight grown-ups who fondly remember the original animated special and children being introduced to the Peanuts gang for the first time.

 

 

 

 

“A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic from my childhood,” says director Angie Hernandez, Magik’s Artistic Projects Manager and a 20-year theatre veteran (including five at Magik). “I’m excited to see families connecting and experiencing this production, meeting Charlie Brown and friends, and creating a new holiday tradition that connects the generations.”

 

 

 

 

Hernandez and the creative team have worked to incorporate visual elements from the classic cartoon, while infusing the play with plenty of interactive singing and dancing, bringing the world of Peanuts to life on stage in a fresh, yet familiar way. Hernandez advised the cast—including Ernesto Dominguez (Charlie Brown), Lucero Garcia (Snoopy) and Clarissa Ramos (Lucy)—to strike a balance between cartoonish traits and real-life qualities. That equilibrium between imaginative fun and emotional heft carries over to the stage production’s tender message of empathy, delivered with vibrant, immersive enthusiasm and sprinkled with “a few little surprises,” per Hernandez. Budding singers and theatre kids will especially enjoy Magik’s new sing-along show on December 13. While singing is encouraged at every performance, the December 13 matinee heightens the holiday cheer with additional carols (lyrics provided) and a sweet treat.

 

 

 

A SEASON OF GIVING AND RENEWAL FOR MAGIK THEATRE

A Charlie Brown Christmas will be the last production in Beethoven Hall before Magik Theatre temporarily closes in January 2026 for a months-long renovation to enhance safety, comfort and accessibility. These critical upgrades include a new interior accessible entrance, new custom-made seating and improved HVAC and safety systems to help Magik welcome every child, no matter their ability, background or circumstance.

The exciting transformation is supported by the ongoing “Believe in Magik” campaign, launched to address a $300,000 shortfall due to ongoing South Alamo Street construction impacts. Thanks to an incredible community rally, $275,000 has been raised to date.

“We are deeply grateful for everyone who has stood by us this year,” said Managing Director Mel Zarb-Cousin. “However, we’re not out of the woods yet.” The theatre is now launching a holiday-themed push to raise the final $25,000 by December 31, 2025, to ensure a strong finish before the temporary closure. Magik Theatre continues to pay community contributions forward in novel ways, including inviting children affected by the Hill Country floods of July 4th and select local community organizations like The Children’s Shelter and Fiesta Youth to a complimentary performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 6.

To support Magik’s mission to inspire a lifelong love of learning through the power of live theatre, grab tickets to A Charlie Brown Christmas or donate here.

 

 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS & ADD-ON EXPERIENCES

Story Time at Hemisfair with Magik Theatre – Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.

Join Magik Theatre staff in Hemisfair for a special story time featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. The first 20 children will receive a free copy of the book. Little guests can enjoy the story and a free themed craft and pack in a playdate at nearby Yanaguana Garden, too!

Opening Night Party in the Park –  Saturday, Nov. 22, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., show at 5:00 p.m

Celebrate the first performance with a free, pre-show holiday party at Hemisfair Park in partnership with Hemisfair! Guests can enjoy a DJ set of holiday tunes, a themed craft, hot chocolate provided by Paleteria SA and Peanuts photo ops. Ticket holders can get pictures with Santa inside the theatre from 4 – 5 p.m. (this is a BYOC, bring your own camera, photo op). Can’t make the afternoon soiree? Stick around after the opening night performance for a free treat! While the party is free and open to the public, the subsequent performance is ticketed.

Singalong Performance – Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m.

Calling all carollers! Sing your heart out alongside your favorite Peanuts characters at this festive performance. Guests will receive a lyric booklet of holiday classics like “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “O Christmas Tree” and Charlie Brown’s signature “Christmas Time is Here,” which they can use to follow along during the show. To make this performance an extra-special treat, Bird Bakery is providing complimentary cupcakes.

Backstage Experience Add-On (Available after every performance excluding other special events)

Enhance your visit to Magik Theatre with our Backstage Experience for only $20 per person! This exclusive add-on includes an onstage meet and greet with the cast, where you can snap photos and share special moments with your favorite characters. Plus, enjoy a 15-minute guided tour of the set, props, and rehearsal space led by a Magik Theatre performer offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the “magik” of theatre. And, enjoy a special treat!

Please note: We are unable to accommodate guests with mobility devices for this experience. All patrons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

 

Magik Theatre Birthday Recognition

And now, families can make their little one’s special day truly magikal with an unforgettable Magik Theatre birthday visit. Magik Theatre birthday packages include a personal shout out to the birthday kiddo from the cast at the start of the post-show Q&A as well as a complimentary ticket for the birthday boy or girl, a birthday ribbon, special birthday signage, including a lollipop sign at Magik Theatre’s entrance, which they may take home with them after the show and happy birthday slides displayed on the lobby TVs. The celebrated birthday honoree will also receive a special gift from Magik’s merch stand along with their choice of free specialty drink or popcorn from the concession stand. Birthday packages can be booked here.

 

 

 

FIELD TRIPS & MINI CAMPS

Student Matinees

Magik’s famous field trips, including a weekday performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas and TEKS-aligned experiences, begin November 4. The December 5 field trip performance will include live audio description for vision-impaired students. Educators can schedule a field trip online for an enriching performing arts adventure.

Fall & Winter Mini Camps

Kids in 1st-5th grade can dive into an immersive mini-camp inspired by A Charlie Brown Christmas during holiday time off from school. Campers will explore storytelling and puppetry, enjoy game time and watch a live performance. Content will differ between camps, so busy parents can rest assured campers will be well entertained even if they attend both sessions. The three-day Fall Camp runs November 24-26 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) for $145. The two-day Winter Camp runs December 23-24 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) for $50/day. Learn more and register here.

 

 

 

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Pay What You Wish & Live Audio Description Performance – Saturday, Nov. 29, at 2 p.m.

As part of Magik Theatre’s mission to make theatre accessible to everyone, this H-E-B Sponsored performance is donation-based. It also features live audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision, providing spoken descriptions of the visual elements through a wireless headset provided by Vibrant Works. The technology allows patrons to enjoy the live performance in real time as a trained describer narrates scenes, actor movements and expressions, costumes and set changes. Pay What You Wish tickets are only available at the door on the day of the performance.

Educator Appreciation Day – Sunday, November 23 at 3 p.m

Educators and school faculty are eligible for one free ticket to this performance with proof of I.D. Additional tickets are available to purchase for these performances at a discount of 20% off the regular ticket prices.

ASL Interpreted Performance – Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.

Patrons who communicate with ASL can attend this performance featuring Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary American Sign Language interpreter.

Sensory Friendly Performance – Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m.

Audience members on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities can take in a special performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas designed just for them. Kids and adults are free to be themselves in this relaxed, judgment-free theatre experience that is a perfect introduction to attending a performance.

Military and First Responders Appreciation Day – Saturday, December 30 at 2 p.m.

Service members with a valid military ID can purchase $5 discounted tickets to this performance.

 

 

 

TICKET OPTIONS

Magik Theatre offers multiple ways for patrons to experience the best children’s theatre in San Antonio. Magik is a cherished arts institution that has been providing families with professional, accessible, literature-based theatre and education since 1994. Located in Hemisfair Park, families can catch the show, enjoy a day of play exploring Yanaguana Garden, grab a meal at one of the many restaurants on site and make Magikal memories. Single ticket sales are available now.

 

SINGLE TICKETS

• $30 for adults
• $25 for children (ages 2-17), Military, Seniors, Educators & Students
• Children under 2 years old are free.

Purchase family four packs and single tickets online, via phone (210) 227-2751, and in person at Magik Theatre’s Box Office (420 S Alamo, 78205). Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 am – 3 pm.

If a child under 2 uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available for parties of ten or more people. For questions and further inquiries, contact tickets@magiktheatre.org.

 

 

 

 

MAGIK THEATRE

A professional theatre for young audiences established in 1994, Magik Theatre’s mission is to create theatrical experiences that ignite imagination, spark curiosity, inspire empathy, and foster a lifetime love of learning in young people. For more information, visit magiktheatre.org, or Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @TheMagikTheatre.