You are here: > Visit Our Library of Plays > Scripts by Age Group > Upper Grades > Holidays
Choose a category:
Halloween

Explore our collection of captivating holiday plays specifically curated for high school students. Our category of holiday plays offers an array of heartwarming and thought-provoking scripts, perfect for upper grades seeking to celebrate the festive season with a theatrical touch. From heartwarming Christmas tales like "The Goblins and the Gravedigger" to insightful plays such as "Beyond Santa Claus" that encourage discussions on diversity and inclusion, our selection caters to a diverse range of themes and genres.

By partnering with us, schools gain access to quality plays for high schoolers that not only entertain but also provoke meaningful dialogues. Elevate your screenplay writing curriculum with our holiday plays, designed to ignite creativity and inspire students. Don't miss the chance to enrich your school's theatrical offerings with our royalty-free plays for schools. Join us today and bring the magic of theater to your students' holiday season.

HEART OF A STRANGER by Christina Hamlett HEART OF A STRANGER by Christina Hamlett

HEART OF A STRANGER by Christina Hamlett is a moving, contemporary drama that serves as one of the most poignant scripts for school plays designed for Upper Grades. Set during the December holidays in a bustling Boston coffee shop, the play centers on a young woman who is struggling to cope with the loss of her beloved sister. A seemingly chance meeting gives her a new, powerful outlook on the world and the meaning of giving. This production is a sensitive exploration of friendship and the profound subject of "the gift of life" (organ donation). Bring this heartwarming, vital discussion to your stage this holiday season. Order yours today!
  • A sensitive, heartwarming drama focused on profound contemporary issues.
  • Ideal for the December holidays, offering an alternative to traditional festive plays.
  • Large, flexible cast size (4 female, 5 male or female additional roles).
  • Concise 25-minute running time, perfect for competition or assembly performances.
  • Explores important themes of grief, friendship, and organ donation.
This play is an exceptional teaching tool, allowing high school actors to delve into complex emotional material and deliver a message that is both uplifting and critically important. The flexible casting is a huge benefit for directors working with large or unbalanced groups. The themes of hope and giving make this an unforgettable choice among serious scripts for school plays. Secure this impactful holiday drama from PLAYS Magazine today!

Why Your Group Will Love This High School Play Script

  • Emotionally Resonant Narrative: A sensitive drama focusing on modern issues like grief and hope.

  • Alternative Holiday Theme: Ideal for December performances that seek a deeper message beyond traditional festive plays.

  • Flexible Casting: Written for 4 females with 5 additional male or female roles to suit your specific group.

  • Competition Ready: A concise 25-minute running time makes it perfect for one-act competitions or school assemblies.

Educational Value: Provides an excellent platform for high school actors to explore complex emotional material.

Heart of a Stranger by Christina Hamlett is a moving, contemporary drama and one of the most poignant play scripts available for Upper Grades. Set during the bustling December holidays in a Boston coffee shop, the play centers on a young woman struggling to cope with the loss of her sister. A seemingly chance meeting provides her with a powerful new outlook on the world and the profound meaning of "the gift of life." This production offers a sensitive exploration of friendship and the vital subject of organ donation. Bring this heartwarming, essential discussion to your school’s stage this season. Order your copy today!
Upper Grades; 4 female, 5 male or female; contemporary; December holidays; 25 minutes.
A chance meeting in a Boston coffee shop gives a young woman mourning the loss of her beloved sister a new outlook on the world. A heartwarming, sensitive holiday drama about friendship and “the gift of life” (organ donation).
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
BEYOND SANTA CLAUS by Virginia Miller McDonough BEYOND SANTA CLAUS by Virginia Miller McDonough

Explore the true meaning of inclusivity this season with Beyond Santa Claus by Virginia Miller McDonough. This poignant contemporary script asks a powerful question: What if you don’t celebrate Christmas? In just 10 minutes, this one-act play follows three characters as they navigate the complexities of the holiday season from a non-traditional perspective. As one of our most impactful play scripts for students, it serves as a brilliant springboard for classroom discussions regarding tolerance, empathy, and cultural diversity. Whether you are looking for plays for schools that challenge the status quo or a simple, script-based activity to foster belonging, this play offers a modern and respectful look at our multicultural world.

Features

  • Contemporary Relevance: Addresses modern themes of religious and cultural diversity.
  • Intimate Cast: 3 female speaking roles, making it easy to cast and rehearse.
  • Discussion Ready: Specifically designed to spark conversations about respecting all points of view.
  • Quick Runtime: A 10-minute duration that fits perfectly into a single class period or a multi-play assembly.

For educators, finding a holiday play that doesn't focus solely on traditional festivities can be a challenge. Beyond Santa Claus provides the perfect solution by centering the voices of those who often feel left out of the December narrative. It helps students understand the importance of accepting and celebrating differences, turning a simple performance into a lesson on global citizenship. By performing this piece, your students will learn that the greatest gift of the season is mutual respect and understanding for all religions and cultures.

Specs

  • Grade Level: Middle and Upper Grades
  • Cast Size: 3 (Female)
  • Run Time: 10 Minutes
  • Author: Virginia Miller McDonough
  • Category: Holiday / Social Issues / Contemporary
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
THE GOBLINS AND THE GRAVEDIGGER by Craig Sodaro THE GOBLINS AND THE GRAVEDIGGER by Craig Sodaro

Bring a magical and heartwarming Christmas tale to your stage with this 30-minute play set in 19th-century England. The story follows three loving orphans who desperately need a home, but their only hope seems to be the meanest man in town. It takes a little holiday magic from a mischievous band of goblins to help connect these lonely souls in a truly touching Christmas story. This is one of our most popular plays for schools during the holiday season. Download your script today!
Features
  • A unique, heartwarming Christmas story with a touching message about found family.
  • Features a large, flexible cast with 17+ roles, perfect for a full class or drama club.
  • A convenient 30-minute runtime, making it an ideal choice for holiday assemblies, showcases, or competitions.
  • A charming 19th-century England setting with fun, magical characters (the goblins).

Finding holiday play scripts that are fresh, meaningful, and age-appropriate for both middle and upper grades can be a challenge. You need plays for students that capture the spirit of the season without being the same story everyone has seen. "The Goblins and the Gravedigger" is the perfect solution. It offers a unique story with a beautiful message of kindness and redemption, and its large cast ensures every student can participate in the magic. Create a memorable holiday performance this year. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
Specs
  • Cast: 17+ actors (6 male, 8 female, 3 male or female)
  • Grade Level: Upper and Middle Grades
  • Running Time: 30 minutes
  • Setting: 19th-century England
  • Format: Royalty-Free Script
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
ONCE UPON A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS by Kate Falconer ONCE UPON A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS by Kate Falconer

Upper Grades; 3 male, 2 female, 1 male or female; 1870s; 25 minutes.
Join a merry holiday gathering at the Perry Mansion in Southern California, where water rights, the immigration "problem," and other concerns of the day are being discussed. As for the predictions that were foretold by the I Ching and the visiting Archduke, see if you recognize how many of them actually came true!

 
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP! by Donna Hall SHOP TILL YOU DROP! by Donna Hall

Upper Grades; 10 female; 3 male; 1 male or female, and extras; 3 scenes, 15 minutes each.
High school students take center stage in this three-pack of plays about thinking of others at holiday time; creative gift-giving from the heart; and innovative sales techniques when jobs are one the line. Perform one, two, or three scenes, as time permits.

*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
THANKSGIVING AT RUBINO'S by Helen Louise Miller THANKSGIVING AT RUBINO'S by Helen Louise Miller

Upper Grades, 9 male, 3 female; 30 minutes.
High school students work at their family's diner on Thanksgiving, all the while missing the big game—a story about the American Dream, the balance between work and play, and the recognition that we have a lot to be thankful for.

 
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
FREEDOM RIDERS, by Tom Quinn FREEDOM RIDERS, by Tom Quinn

Upper and Middle Grades; 12 male, 6 female, and male and female extras. 35 minutes. A story of the struggle and heroes of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, with reference to the basics of human dignity: riding a bus, using the restroom, eating in a restaurant, and going to school.

*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
STEALING CHRISTMAS by Craig Sodaro STEALING CHRISTMAS by Craig Sodaro

Upper and Middle Grades; 3 male; 3 female; 25 minutes. Petty thieves in the year 1920 rediscover the spirit of the holiday when they encounter a war widow and her young daughter.

*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
FRANKENSTEIN by Joellen Bland FRANKENSTEIN by Joellen Bland

Upper Grades
Mary Shelley's chilling tale of Frankenstein's hideous creation and the overwhelming loneliness for which the monster took its revenge. . .

SHADES OF DEATH by John Murray SHADES OF DEATH by John Murray

Upper Grades: 8 actors: 5 female, 3 male; 40 minutes. The creepy tale of a spirit searching for his long-lost daughter, visitors to a lonely old inn, and mysterious disappearances in a town with an eerie name. Perfect for Halloween.

*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.