You are here: > Visit Our Library of Plays > Scripts by Category > Holidays
Choose a category:
Halloween Christmas Thanksgiving
Upper Grades Middle Grades Lower Grades

Celebrate the spirit of every season with our vibrant collection of Holiday plays at PLAYS Magazine! Our Holiday play scripts are perfect for enriching school performances and capturing the joy of various festivities. From heartwarming high school plays that delve into themes of gratitude and community to engaging middle school plays that bring humor and lessons to life, and delightful elementary school plays that enchant young audiences, there's something for everyone.


These play scripts for students encourage creativity and collaboration while making holiday celebrations memorable. Each script is uniquely crafted to resonate with students and audiences alike, making them an excellent addition to any school curriculum. Embrace the magic of the holidays through theater and engage your students in meaningful performances.


Subscribe today to unlock access to our diverse library of holiday-themed play scripts and elevate your school’s theatrical offerings!

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.
BE-SWITCHED by Roger Kise BE-SWITCHED by Roger Kise

Looking for fresh, funny scripts for school plays that students love? BE-SWITCHED by Roger Kise is a brilliant, 10-minute comedy that puts a contemporary spin on classic fairy tales. The plot: A Wicked Witch gets an extreme, hilarious makeover courtesy of the team of stylists on a popular daytime talk show. This clever spoof is perfect for engaging Middle and Lower Grade students with fast-paced humor and a modern, relatable setting. It's an instant hit for any drama club or classroom. Ready for a switch-up? Access this script instantly when you subscribe!
  • A hilarious modern spoof of classic fairy tale characters and TV talk shows.
  • Short, 10-minute running time—perfect for competition, drama festivals, or class time filler.
  • Large, flexible cast size (5 female, 1 male, 2 male or female roles).
  • Ideal for Middle and Lower Grades.
  • Royalty-free performance rights for all current subscribers.
Say goodbye to complicated sets and long rehearsals! This script is a teacher's dream, offering maximum theatrical fun with minimal commitment. Its short length and large, flexible cast mean you can easily involve many students and give your actors plenty of opportunities to shine. Students will love the over-the-top characters and timely humor, making this one of the most popular short scripts for school plays. Find your next laugh-out-loud performance and order yours from PLAYS Magazine today!
Middle and Lower Grades; 5 female, 1 male, 2 male or female; 10 minutes.
Fairy-tale subject (Wicked Witch) gets extreme makeover, courtesy of the team of stylists on popular daytime talk show.
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.

A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS by Inez Carvalho A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS by Inez Carvalho

A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS by Inez Carvalho is a brilliant one-act play perfect for Middle Grades looking for engaging scripts for school plays. This clever comedy takes you back to the 15th century, reimagining the famed explorer’s quest for funding. The plot centers on a bold explorer’s meeting with a skeptical bank loan officer that goes poorly, only to end with a surprising lunch date with the Queen. The rest, as they say, is history! This short, impactful piece is ideal for classroom presentations and youth theatre. Spark imagination in your students—subscribe to PLAYS Magazine now!

  • Historically-inspired comedy perfect for Middle Grades.
  • A short, 25-minute runtime ideal for festivals or class work.
  • Features a small, focused cast of 2 male and 2 female roles
  • Setting: 15th Century.
  • Royalty-free performance rights for all current subscribers.
Give your middle school students a chance to blend history and humor with this highly accessible drama. A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS makes a pivotal historical moment feel fun and relatable, offering teachers a reliable, small-cast resource for performance. It’s an excellent way to introduce historical biographies while developing comedic timing and stage presence in a concise format. Order your access to this fantastic script from PLAYS Magazine today!

Middle Grades; 2 male, 2 female; 15th century; 25 minutes. Bold explorer’s meeting with a bank loan officer goes poorly, but ends up in a lunch date with the Queen. And, the rest is history.
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
A HALLOWEEN SLEEPING BEAUTY by Jane Tesh A HALLOWEEN SLEEPING BEAUTY by Jane Tesh

Give your audience a delightful fright with "A Halloween Sleeping Beauty," a unique and spooky twist on the beloved fairy tale by Jane Tesh. This engaging script is perfect for elementary school plays, offering a fun, ghoulish take where beauty becomes a curse!

Features

  • Suited for Middle and Lower Grades
  • Flexible cast: 4 male; 4 female; 14 male and/or female
  • Compact 15-minute running time
  • A humorous and spooky narrative ideal for Halloween productions

Your students will love exploring this imaginative story, bringing its quirky characters and surprising plot to life. Discover more captivating play scripts for children and inspire creativity by considering a Plays Magazine subscription for your school.


*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
THE HIP HOP HARES by Jane Tesh THE HIP HOP HARES by Jane Tesh

Add a modern beat to your spring celebrations with The Hip Hop Hares by Jane Tesh. In this high-energy one-act play, the Easter egg factory is thrown into a frenzy when a last-minute order puts a serious crunch on production. To save the day, a group of cool, rhythmic bunnies swings into action with a contemporary flair! As one of our most vibrant plays for elementary school, it combines the traditional fun of a holiday story with a fresh, musical energy that students love. This script is an excellent choice for educators looking for play scripts for students that feel current, fast-paced, and incredibly fun to perform. Whether it's for a spring assembly or a classroom drama workshop, these hares are ready to hop to the beat.

Features

  • Modern Twist: Updates a classic holiday theme with a fun "hip hop" rhythmic style.
  • Flexible Large Cast: Features 6 lead roles (4 female, 2 male) and space for as many extras as you need.
  • Springtime Success: Perfect for Easter celebrations, spring festivals, or end-of-year performances.
  • High Energy: A 10-minute runtime packed with action that keeps younger performers engaged.

Finding plays for schools that capture the attention of digital-age students can be a challenge for busy drama directors. The Hip Hop Hares solves this by trading slow-paced storytelling for a modern, rhythmic "crunch" that makes every student feel like a star. It’s a fantastic way to build coordination, teamwork, and confidence while celebrating the change of seasons. By choosing this script, you are giving your students a performance experience that is as catchy as it is memorable.

Specs

  • Grade Level: Lower Grades (Elementary)
  • Cast Size: 6 + Extras (4 Female, 2 Male, plus Many Extras)
  • Run Time: 10 Minutes
  • Author: Jane Tesh
  • Category: Holiday / Spring / Musical Comedy
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
YOU DON'T SAY by Peg Juffer YOU DON'T SAY by Peg Juffer

Ignite a passion for reading with You Don’t Say by Peg Juffer. In this delightful one-act play, a frustrated librarian is completely stumped on how to get students excited about books—until the library itself takes over! Watch as creative characters literally pop out of the bookshelves to prove that stories are alive and waiting to be discovered. This is one of our most popular plays for elementary school, offering a whimsical and imaginative approach to literacy. It’s a perfect fit for a school assembly or a classroom project, turning a standard library visit into a theatrical adventure. Whether you are celebrating National Children's Book Week or simply looking for high-quality play scripts for students, this charming story will leave your young audience eager to check out their next favorite book.

Features

  • Literacy Focused: Ideal for National Children's Book Week or school-wide reading initiatives.
  • Creative Premise: Features "book characters" coming to life to save the day.
  • Large, Flexible Cast: 4 lead roles (3 female, 1 male) plus 8 to 10 additional roles for a full-class experience.
  • Engaging & Fast-Paced: A 10-minute runtime that keeps younger students focused and entertained.

Finding plays for schools that effectively promote the joy of reading without feeling like a lecture can be difficult for educators. You Don’t Say solves this by using humor and a touch of magic to show students that the library is the most exciting place in school. It’s a fantastic way to build student confidence through performance while reinforcing your school's literacy goals. By putting on this play, you aren't just staging a show; you are opening a door to a lifetime of reading for your students.

Specs

  • Grade Level: Lower Grades (Elementary)
  • Cast Size: 12–14 (3 Female, 1 Male, 8–10 Flexible)
  • Run Time: 10 Minutes
  • Author: Peg Juffer
  • Category: Educational / Library Skills / Literacy

*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.
THE LUCK OF THE IVIES by Frank V. Priore THE LUCK OF THE IVIES by Frank V. Priore

Bring a bit of Irish luck and clever fun to your classroom with this delightful 15-minute play. Set in a forest clearing, this story follows two young girls who think they can outsmart a leprechaun and steal his pot of gold. But they soon learn that it takes more than just finding him to win his treasure! This charming and simple-to-stage script is perfect for your youngest performers. Download your script today!

Features
  • A very small, manageable cast of 3 actors, ideal for small groups or reading exercises.
  • A quick 15-minute runtime, perfect for keeping the attention of young students.
  • A simple, single setting (a forest clearing) that is easy to create in a classroom or on a small stage.
  • A fun, mischievous plot that children will love to act out, especially around St. Patrick's Day.
Finding plays for elementary school with very small casts can be a real challenge. You need play scripts that are short, easy to memorize, and genuinely fun for little actors. "The Luck of the Ivies" is the perfect solution. It gives three students a chance to shine in clearly defined, fun roles. This is one of those play scripts for elementary students that builds confidence and guarantees smiles from both the performers and the audience. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
Specs
  • Cast: 3 actors (2 female, 1 male)
  • Grade Level: Lower Grades
  • Running Time: 15 minutes
  • Setting: A clearing in the forest
  • Format: Royalty-Free Script

*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.
THE PRESIDENTS' DAY IN COURT, by Kathy Applebee THE PRESIDENTS' DAY IN COURT, by Kathy Applebee

Bring American history to life with The Presidents' Day in Court by Kathy Applebee. This clever and humorous script follows Patty O’Phurniture as she takes her disappointing date, Jim, to court for "breach of contract." To her surprise, she is confronted by the legendary figures featured on American currency. As one of our most engaging play scripts for students, this production features George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Susan B. Anthony stepping off their coins to defend the values of hard work and historical achievement. It is an inventive way to combine civics, history, and comedy into a single performance. If you are looking for plays for schools that make learning about the Founding Fathers and civil rights leaders fun, this courtroom caper is the perfect verdict.

Features


  • Historical Integration: Features iconic figures like Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Susan B. Anthony.
  • Large, Flexible Cast: Accommodates 15 speaking roles (7 male, 3 female, 5 flexible) plus unlimited extras.
  • Civics & Comedy: Blends a modern courtroom setting with historical facts to keep students entertained.
  • Perfect for Assemblies: A 20-minute runtime makes it an ideal centerpiece for Presidents' Day or history month events.


Finding high-quality plays for middle school that manage to be both educational and genuinely funny can be a challenge. The Presidents' Day in Court solves this by using a relatable (and hilarious) modern premise to introduce students to the "faces on the coins." It allows your young actors to step into the shoes of historical giants without the dry tone of a standard textbook. This script encourages students to look at history—and their loose change—in a completely new light while building their public speaking and performance skills.

Specs

  • Grade Level: Middle Grades
  • Cast Size: 15+ (7 Male, 3 Female, 5 Male/Female, plus Extras)
  • Run Time: 20 Minutes
  • Author: Kathy Applebee
  • Category: History / Civics / Comedy
*Requires subscription to download. Click here to subscribe.