Find Family Shows during Matinee Hours at the Cole

Sept. 19, 2025 - The Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College has a great line-up of family shows available at times that are convenient for young theatergoers: matinees!

Suitable for children and the young at heart, these performances are open to daycare, day schools, childcare centers, homeschool groups, as well as retirement communities and those who prefer not to drive at night.

Sugar Skull!

“Sugar Skull! A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure” is Friday, Oct. 3, with show times at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Cole. This is the story of a young girl who finds herself on a magical musical journey with a spirited candy skeleton to unravel the true meaning of the “Day of the Dead” tradition.

“Featuring a company of gifted musicians and dancers that delve into the rich traditions of Dia de Muertos, this colorful stage production is the perfect entertainment for family audiences,” said Director of the Cole Auditorium Joey Bennett.

The show is 65 minutes long and targets ages 5 to 12 years old. Tickets range in price from $10 to $20. (Bus drivers get in free!) No online ticket sales. Tickets must be purchased at the Cole Box Office.

Blippi: Join the Band Tour

Get ready to sing, dance, and play along with Blippi and his best buddy Meekah as they rock out with fans in this interactive live performance on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. Whether it’s drumming to the beat, strumming guitars or hopping to catchy rhythms, kids are encouraged to get out of their seats and move with the music. Featuring fan-favorite songs, laugh-out-loud silliness and lots of surprises, Blippi: Join the Band Tour makes learning fun through the joy of live music.

“It’s more than a show – it’s a full-on celebration designed to spark joy and curiosity in even the littlest concertgoers,” Bennett said.

Families can enhance their outing by purchasing a Photo Experience along with their show tickets. This gives children the opportunity to make a lasting memory by taking a photo alongside Blippi on stage. To attend, each guest must have both a Photo Experience ticket and a Blippi: Join the Band Tour show ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a 90-minute show that targets ages 2 to 7. Tickets range in price from $40 to $60. Children 2 and younger do not require a ticket if they sit in an adult’s lap. Photo Experience tickets are $55. Any adult or child going on stage for photos will require a ticket. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but the entire party doesn’t have to purchase a ticket.

Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol

Get in the holiday spirit with “Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol” on Friday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, this unforgettable production and amazing cast imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season.

The legendary holiday tale re-written as a new American classic features Charles Dickens’ classic characters and Parton’s one-of-a-kind songwriting expertise, making this a holiday event you’ll want to share with those you love. 

With a running time of two hours and 30 minutes, this show targets ages 13 and up. Tickets range in price from $20 to $35. (Bus drivers get in free!) No online ticket sales. Tickets must be purchased at the Cole Box Office.

A Winter Cirque

Start the new year off with “Cirque-tacular Shimmer: A Winter Cirque Reverie” on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 3 p.m. at the Cole. Astonishing acrobatics, dazzling specialty acts and glittering costumes abound in this whimsical, shimmery aerial show of talented circus performers.

With a running time of 90 minutes, this show targets ages 4 and up. Tickets range in price from $20 to $35. Groups of 10 or more receive 20 percent off the ticket price.

Ticket Information

Tickets for some shows are available online. For other shows, contact the Cole Auditorium Box Office at (910) 410-1691 for personalized service and group rates.

All prices include applicable sales tax. A fee of $3 per ticket is added to online transactions. Avoid this fee by calling or stopping by the Box Office on the Hamlet Campus of RichmondCC.

To get more show details, visit ColeKids.