Start Christmas in Thousand Oaks with An Irish Christmas on December 23
By December 23, most of the preparation is done. The gifts are nearly wrapped, family may already be arriving and the ordinary rhythm of the week has begun to give way to Christmas. What many of us still need is a moment that marks the change.
This year, let that moment be An Irish Christmas at Fred Kavli Theatre. The performance begins at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 23, and brings world-class Irish dance, live traditional music, song and storytelling to Thousand Oaks. Celtic Irish Dance Academy will join the professional company for this special local performance.
It is the closest performance on the tour to Christmas Day, and a joyful way to move from getting ready for Christmas to truly celebrating it. If Christmas has an official starting moment for your family, this can be it.
Begin the Day with a Local Cup of Coffee
Five07 Coffee Bar was founded by Thousand Oaks natives and has two local locations. Its Thousand Oaks Boulevard coffee bar is a good place to meet a friend, take a break from errands or begin a family day out before the evening performance. The location is currently listed as open until 3:00 PM on weekdays.
Because December 23 falls during a busy holiday week, confirm the location and holiday hours directly before you go.
Take a Quiet Walk Before the Evening Begins
Gardens of the World is a 4.5-acre cultural landmark at 2001 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, across from the Civic Arts Plaza. Its English, French, Italian, Japanese and California Mission gardens offer a calm pause before dinner and the theatre.
The gardens are currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. They may close for holidays or weather, so check the official site before building this stop into your December 23 plan.
Plan an Early Pre Show Dinner
A 7:00 PM curtain gives you time for an early meal. West Tasting Room is a woman-owned Thousand Oaks neighborhood restaurant serving artisan pizzas, boards, small plates and wine. It is close to Gardens of the World and currently lists Wednesday hours from noon to 9:00 PM. Reserve an early table so your group can enjoy dinner without watching the clock.
The Lakes at Thousand Oaks sits next to the performing arts center and offers several dining options. This is the most convenient choice if your priority is minimizing driving and walking between dinner and the theatre. The venue also maintains an official dining guide with additional nearby options.
Holiday hours and reservation policies can change. Confirm directly with each business and allow extra time for December traffic.
Welcome Celtic Irish Dance Academy to the Stage
Celtic Irish Dance Academy will bring a distinctly Southern California connection to the Thousand Oaks performance. Founded in 2014 under the direction of former Riverdance Dance Captain Maeve Croke Coughlan, the academy develops dancers through world-class training in a positive and supportive environment.
Its dancers have appeared on The Voice, The Talk and The Jennifer Hudson Show, performed in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and shared the stage with The Chieftains. The academy also took part in the 2021 L.A. County Holiday Celebration, a PBS SoCal broadcast that won a 2022 Los Angeles Emmy Award for Live Special Events Programming.
Celtic Irish Dance Academy has performed with An Irish Christmas for many years, and we are delighted to welcome its dancers back in December 2026. Read our Celtic Irish Dance Academy spotlight to learn more about the school and the people behind its work.
Let the Performance Mark the Start of Christmas
At 7:00 PM, the stage fills with champion Irish dancers, accomplished musicians and singers, and stories rooted in the customs of Christmas in Ireland. The production has been featured on PBS and is designed as a full, family-friendly theatre experience.
Children can follow the speed and precision of the dancing. Music lovers can listen for the fiddle, bodhrán, guitar and whistles. Families and friends can share familiar carols and discover traditions that may be new to them. You do not need Irish heritage or prior knowledge of Irish dance to feel at home in the celebration.
The real gift is the transition the evening creates. You arrive carrying the final lists and unfinished details of December. You leave with the sound of music, the energy of the dancing and the feeling that Christmas has officially begun.
Arrive Early at Fred Kavli Theatre
Fred Kavli Theatre at Bank of America Performing Arts Center is located at 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Plan to arrive around 6:15 PM so your group has time to park, find the theatre, open or collect tickets and settle into your seats before the 7:00 PM performance.
Review the venue's official directions and parking information before leaving home. Current venue guidance lists a $16 parking fee on performance dates, paid by card or mobile payment rather than cash. Check the event page again on the day of the show for current parking, mobile-ticket, accessibility, bag and box-office guidance.
Your December 23 Plan at a Glance
· Before 3:00 PM: Meet for coffee or finish the day's errands near Five07 Coffee Bar.
· Around 3:30 PM: Take a quiet walk through Gardens of the World, subject to holiday hours.
· Around 4:45 PM: Enjoy an early dinner at West Tasting Room or choose an option at The Lakes.
· Around 6:15 PM: Park and make your way to Fred Kavli Theatre.
· 7:00 PM: Experience An Irish Christmas with Celtic Irish Dance Academy.
· After the show: Head home ready to begin Christmas together.
Choose the People You Want Beside You
A meaningful Christmas tradition does not need to be complicated. Choose your seats, invite the people you love and put one shared experience at the center of the week.
An Irish Christmas comes to Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. This is the final performance of the California tour and the closest date to Christmas Day.
Reserve your seats now, then let the music, dance and warmth of the evening welcome you into Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is An Irish Christmas in Thousand Oaks?
Wednesday, December 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center.
Who is joining the Thousand Oaks performance?
Celtic Irish Dance Academy will join the professional cast for this special local performance.
Is An Irish Christmas suitable for families?
Yes. The production is a family-friendly theatrical celebration of Irish dance, live traditional music, song and storytelling.
Where is Fred Kavli Theatre?
The theatre is located at 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. Review the venue's official directions and parking information before traveling.
Where can we eat near the theatre?
This guide recommends West Tasting Room and The Lakes at Thousand Oaks. The venue also publishes an official dining guide with more nearby options. Confirm holiday hours and reservations directly.
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