Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Stand in the Light Featuring Jordan Smith
2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and powerhouse vocals in Stand in the Light, featuring vocalist Jordan Smith, winner of “The Voice.” Known for his extraordinary range and heartfelt delivery, Smith will perform selections from his latest gospel album, The People’s Hymnal, alongside other soul-stirring favorites. This uplifting concert celebrates hope, faith, and the enduring power of music to bring people together.
From contemporary pop ballads to gospel-infused anthems, Jordan Smith’s performance, backed by the full power of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, promises to be a radiant and emotionally rich highlight of the season. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of today’s most compelling voices live in concert.

The NY Rockabilly Rockets
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 College Blvd East, Niceville, FL, 32578, United States
🎸 NY Rockets Live at Mattie Kelly Arts Center
Get ready for an unforgettable night of rock ‘n’ roll! Direct from New York, the NY Rockets are bringing their Fantastic New Show to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Experience the best 120 minutes of 50s and 60s music you’ll ever see on one stage—packed with energy, nostalgia, and incredible musicianship.
📅 Date: Friday, February 6, 2026🕢 Showtime: 7:30 PM📍 Location: Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 E College Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578
This is your chance to relive the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll with one of the most electrifying tribute acts touring today. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of vintage hits or simply love great live music, the NY Rockets will take you on a high-energy journey back in time.

The Choir of Man
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00
The Olivier Award-nominated, worldwide smash hit — THE CHOIR OF MAN — returns to the U.S. for a highly-anticipated national tour including a stop in Niceville. Set in the world’s best pub, this uplifting production serves up 90 minutes of non-stop entertainment featuring a cast of extraordinary singers, dancers, musicians, and a charming poet. Enjoy everything from the anthems of Guns N’ Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers to the soulful sounds of Luther Vandross and Adele to the chart-toppers of Sia, Paul Simon, Avicii, Katy Perry, and more. This show has something for everyone, including a real working bar on stage. Come ready to drink in the excitement and raise a glass with THE CHOIR OF MAN. Cheers!

Click Clack Moo
2026-02-17 09:45 - 10:45, 2026-02-17 11:30 - 12:30
No more milk and eggs… the cows and hens are on strike! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals’ demands? Find out in a hilariously moo-ving musical about negotiation and compromise. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.
Click, Clack, Moo is written by Billy Aronson (book), Kevin Del Aguila (lyrics), and Brad Alexander (music); based on the book by Doreen Cronin with illustrations by Betsy Lewin. Original direction by John Rando (Broadway: On the Town, Tony Nom; Urinetown, Tony Award) and original choreography by WendySeyb. Orchestrations by Brad Alexander, set design by Beowulf Boritt (Broadway: Be More Chill; Act 1, Tony Award), and costume design by Lora LaVon (Broadway: Urinetown)

Joyfully Free The Stars of Tomorrow
2026-02-21 19:00 - 21:00
• Concertos featuring the student winners of the annual John Leatherwood Concerto Competition
• Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
• Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3
• Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 4, Finale
(joined by the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra)
Our annual spotlight on extraordinary young talent returns as the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is joined by the winners of the John Leatherwood Concerto Competition, showcasing some of the most promising young soloists in our region.The program continues with Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, a luminous and meditative work that reﬂects on life, loss, and transcendence. The evening also features Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, a masterwork of emotional depth and lyrical beauty—his most personal symphony, full of introspection and noble spirit. Concluding the concert is a special side-by-side performance with the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra. This inspiring collaboration highlights the NFSO’s ongoing commitment to music education and artistic mentorship.

Ultimate Elvis
2026-02-28 19:00 - 21:00
Get ready for an unforgettable night as we bring you a brand-new Elvis production like no other! This all-new show dives deep into the early years of Elvis Presley’s career, capturing the raw passion, energy, and charisma that first shook the world. From the hip-shaking rock ’n’ roll revolution of the ’50s to the polished power of his early Vegas years, this production delivers the perfect balance of youthful Elvis spirit and the legendary style fans know and love.
Audiences will experience the electricity of those first explosive performances while still enjoying the dazzling jumpsuit showcase that became an icon of his Vegas tenure. It’s a fresh take that honors both the beginnings of Elvis’ journey and the larger-than-life showmanship that made him a global superstar.
Don’t miss your chance to witness this ALL-NEW SHOW — a celebration of The King’s early career, his groundbreaking Vegas comeback, and the timeless music that continues to inspire generations. This is Elvis like you’ve never seen him before!
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Dirty Dancing In Concert
2026-03-10 19:00 - 21:00
“Join us for Dirty Dancing in Concert, the classic ﬁlm’s ﬁrst live ﬁlm-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit ﬁlm like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the ﬁlm’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, Dirty Dancing in Concert promises to bring a thrilling new and unique experience to the 80s classic.
Directly following the ﬁlm, the band and singers will throw an encore party that will surely take you back to the time of your life as you sing and dance along to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs.
Immerse yourself in the timeless romance and experience one of the most memorable movies of the past 35 years – now live!”

ALMOST ABBA
2026-04-03 19:00 | Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 College Blvd East, Niceville, FL, 32578, United States
ALMOST ABBA
April 3, 2026
7:00 pm
Tickets $38 – $65

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical
2026-04-10 09:45 - 10:45, 2026-04-10 11:30 - 12:30
Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), TheaterWorksUSA‘s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party!
It’s not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.

MAHLER Symphony No. 2 Resurrection
2026-04-18 19:00 - 21:00
The season reaches its breathtaking conclusion with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”, a work that demands—and rewards—an extraordinary gathering of musical forces. This monumental symphony explores themes of life, death, and spiritual renewal, unfolding in a dramatic arc that moves from darkness and struggle to radiant transcendence. With its sweeping scope and emotional intensity, The Resurrection Symphony is one of the most powerful statements in all of symphonic literature.
For this unforgettable performance, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is joined by over 150 voices, including the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, the Choral Society of Pensacola, students from the Niceville High School Chorus, and two guest operatic soloists. From the intimate to the explosive, Mahler’s vision will be brought to life with massive orchestral and choral forces in a concert that promises to shake the walls and stir the soul.
