It is time to start planning the best church Christmas pageant ever! We have a free script and the steps to have a successful Christmas pageant. The kids will love playing a part in the annual pageant and their families will be so proud to see them perform a Christmas play! The Greatest Gift script is a great reminder of the true reason for the season. Be sure to download the Free Script and Planning Checklist here!
First start by coordinating efforts with appropriate church staff members. Verify availability of church leader, reserve all rooms or areas needed for the pageant, and secure any staff persons needed for the day of the performance. Determine needed support from staff members for the production, i.e. Music Department, Light and Sound, or Maintenance. Do not forget about what and who is needed for set-up and clean-up.
Download Pageant Planning Checklist
Consider age and maturity of students, number of students, rehearsals required, costume and set needs, and budget when selecting the skit that is right for your situation. Does the skit deliver the message or tell the story of God’s love through the Christmas story? Purchase the rights to the selected script or download the Free Christmas pageant, The Greatest Gift. Determine who will be singing, what they will be singing and when they will be singing. Be sure to involve your Music Director and determine permissions needed for selected songs.
Download the Skit
Determine how parts will be assigned or if you will have tryouts for speaking roles. Provide copies of the script to all children, teachers and helpers. If children will be singing as a class, assign songs for each grade. You may decide that some of the songs will be sang by all children or joined by the congregation. Work out if the songs need to be memorized or if the children will be able to use handouts.
Determine costume needs for each character. In reviewing each character, what needs to be purchased or crafted? Match costumes to size and character. Review scenes in the script to decide on backgrounds, staging, décor and props. In reviewing each scene, determine what needs to be purchased and what can be crafted. Group items together for each character and provide to students at dress rehearsal.
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Get everything you need to pull off a classic Christmas pageant with our Mega Nativity Pageant Kit that even includes a script! This kit consists of 22 total kids’ costumes with décor and accessories as well. The pageant kit allows you to have a great foundation for a Christmas program that you can then expand year after year.
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The purpose of rehearsal is to make the children comfortable, engaged and excited about the performance. Use children worship time the weeks ahead of the performance to practice and rehearse the script and the songs. Limit additional rehearsal times, children’s schedules may not be able to accommodate. Have a dress rehearsal with all bells and whistles prior to performance. Make sure parents or guardians are aware of all scheduled times and responsibilities of their children.
Relax and encourage. Tell the children, “You are going to be great! Have fun, you got this.” Take several photographs of the cast members together in their costumes before the performance. Have ushers handout the program bulletin that you created. Ushers can be children in costume, older children not in the program or adults. Program should include when audience is expected to participate. Video the performance. Try to have a volunteer with some expertise help with the recording. Optional: Plan for a reception after the performance for families and performers. Ask families to each bring 1 – 2 dozen holiday treats. Keep this simple. Serve punch and holiday treats.
