Entertainment
All Sites, Tours, Shows, and Rides at Historic Nauvoo are FREE!
For the following indoor shows, tickets are free but required: Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo, Just Plain Anna-Amanda, High Hopes and River Boats.
These tickets can be obtained in the Visitors’ Center or can be reserved ahead of time by calling 217-453-2237, ext 122.
For the Following outdoor shows, no tickets are required: Nauvoo Brass Band Concerts, The Nauvoo Pageant, Sunset by the Mississippi, and the BYU peforming groups.
RENDEZVOUS IN OLD NAUVOO
A delightful musical comedy, performed by senior tour guides, tells the story of the Latter-day Saints who built Nauvoo in the 1840′s, and then had to leave the city they loved.
Year round ❉ M – Sa ❉ Cultural Hall ❉ 7:00 p.m. and (if needed) 8:15 p.m.
SUNSET BY THE MISSISSIPPI
The senior tour guides join with talented college-aged performers to put on a fast-paced show that will keep you tapping your toe. It’s old-fashioned fun that everyone can enjoy.
May 25 to Aug 10 ❉ M – Sa ❉ Outdoor Stage 6:30 p.m. pre-show Brass Band Concert, 6:50 p.m. children’s parade, 7:00 p.m. variety show
JUST PLAIN ANNA AMANDA
Children will remember “Just Plain Anna-Amanda” long after they return from their trip to Nau-voo. The young performers in the cast are talented and fun; the puppet show that starts the perform-ances is a giggle-fest for kids; and the image of Anna-Amanda decked out in all the items she tries to carry around with her will stick in children’s minds. But the play makes a great point, too, and it’s one that kids can remember – as well as adults – and parents can discuss with children after the show.
May 25 – Aug 10 ❉ M – Sa ❉ Cultural Hall 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
HIGH HOPES AND RIVER BOATS
Learn Nauvoo history in a fun way – with lots of song and dance. Young performers, carefully cho-sen from throughout the United States, will have you laughing and singing along, and before they are finished, maybe shedding a few tears. Your whole family will love it!
May 25 – Aug 10 ❉ M – Sa ❉ Visitors’ Center 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
NAUVOO BRASS BAND
Don’t miss the band, as they play on a special horse-drawn bandwagon! Comprised of band musicians from across the country, the Nauvoo Brass Band is well known for its clean, powerful performances and for delighting children (of all ages!) Enjoy the band as the wagon passes by on the streets of Nauvoo, catch one of their daily concerts, or just enjoy them as they perform in Sunset by the Mississippi each evening!
May 25 – Aug 10 ❉ M – Sa (Not Wed) ❉ Cultural Hall 10:00 am, Women’s Garden 3:45 pm – Hymn Fest
BYU INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCERS
With a beautiful array of ethnic costumes, the International Folk Dance Ensemble presents a concert program of dances from more than a dozen nations including Ukraine, Russia, Korea, Poland, Mexico and the United States.
Jun 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 ❉ 8:30 p.m. Outdoor Stage
BYU VOCAL POINT
Vocal Point propels a cappella music far beyond its traditional bounds. The nine members of Vocal Point combine rich vocal talent with clever arrangements and staging in an electrifying concert program
Jun 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29 ❉ 8:30 p.m. Outdoor Stage
NAUVOO PAGEANT
A stirring presentation of the story of Nauvoo, how it came to be, and what it meant to those who lived there in the 1840s. In doing so, the Nauvoo Pageant pays tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith, com-memorates the building of the original Nauvoo Temple, and celebrates universal themes of faith, family, and community.
Jul 9 – Aug 3 ❉ Tu – Sa ❉ Pageant Stage ❉ 8:30 p.m.
PAGEANT COUNTRY FAIR
Each night, prior to the Nauvoo Pageant, Cast mem-bers in costume invite visitors to participate in 1840s games, dances, handicrafts, and activities including log sawing, a children’s puppet show, stick ball, round dancing to a live folk band, sack races, rag-rug braiding, relay races, and other fun, family- oriented events for all ages.
Jul 9 – Aug 3 ❉ Tu – Sa ❉ Near Pageant Stage ❉ 7:00 p.m.
NAUVOO BAGPIPE BAND
Enjoy the thrilling sounds of the highlands as Nau-voo’s pipers parade up and down Mulholland Street for the enjoyment of visitors.
Jul 1 – Aug 3 ❉ M – Sa ❉ Nauvoo business district ❉ 11:15 a.m.
Jul 9 – Aug 1 ❉ Tu & Th ❉ Women’s Garden ❉ 3:15 p.m.
NAUVOO REMEMBERED HISTORICAL VIGNETTES
TRAIL OF HOPE – Stroll Parley Street to the riverbank and meet those who walked this road in the 1840s as they left their homes and headed west. Small groups will leave the Seventies Hall on Parley Street every few minutes.
May 27 – Jul 9 ❉ M, W, F ❉ 8:30 p.m. ❉
Jul 7 – Jul 21 ❉ S ❉ 8:30 p.m. ❉
Jul 11 – Aug 3 ❉ Th, Sa ❉ 8:00 a.m. ❉
Aug 5 – 9 ❉ M, W, F ❉ 8:30 p.m. ❉
YOUTH OF ZION – All ages will enjoy meeting the young people of Old Nauvoo. Mary and Caroline Rollins, George Q. Cannon, and Robert Dennison share their stories of bravery, testimony, and good old-fashioned fun.
May 25 to Aug 10 ❉ M, Tu, F, Sa ❉ 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. ❉ Main Street across from Print Shop
KING FOLLETT DISCOURSE – The actor portraying Joseph Smith presents portions of one of the Prophet’s last major discourses, sharing profound insights on the nature of God and the immortality of man.
Jul 10 – Aug 2 ❉ W, F ❉ 4:00 p.m. ❉ West Grove
WOMEN OF NAUVOO – Emma Smith, Eliza R. Snow, and several other women of Old Nauvoo share their experiences with and love for the Relief Society. What began here in Nauvoo under the direction of a prophet in 1842 has grown from just 20 women to become the largest women’s organization in the world, with more than five million members in 176 nations.
Jul 9 – Aug 1 ❉ Tu, Th ❉ 4:00 p.m. ❉ Women’s Garden
LETTERS OF JOSEPH AND EMMA – Readings from the actual letters of Joseph Smith and his beloved wife Emma offer poignant insights into their lives. Join Joseph, Emma, and Lucy Mack Smith for this ten-der love story.
Jul 10 – Aug 2 ❉ W, F ❉ 1:30 p.m. ❉ By the Mansion House
GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD – Evoking laughter as well as tears, Elders Parley Pratt, Wilford Wood-ruff, John Taylor, Heber Kimball, and Brigham Young share their missionary experiences and their testimonies.
Jul 11 – Aug 3 ❉ Th, Sa ❉ 1:30 p.m. ❉ Seventies Hall
I have such fond memories of going to Nauvoo many times with my family when I was a kid and my favorite part was always seeing the different shows there. One in particular was the Nauvoo Adventure, which I understand isn’t performed anymore. It was one of the most powerful shows I have ever seen and I cried every time I saw it (which was like, every night for the whole week or two we would be in Nauvoo). I hope I can take my own family there someday and take my kids to travel back in time to old historic Nauvoo.
After taking our kids to Nauvoo last fall, in 2 days we only managed to see about 25% of the sites, so we’re going back for a week starting tomorrow. My wife and I also decided that our first mission when we’re old, gray, our kids have abandend us, and our joints squeek and creek more than the floorboards, will be to Nauvoo… [edited]
I came with my parents and siblings to Nauvoo, and was amazed by everything. Someday I want to be one of those young performing missionaries!
I came to Nauvoo for a ward youth trip and I was only expecting an awesome temple experience but the performance of the elders and sisters there was inspirationally impressive. I’m now trying out to be a missionary there to share the talents the Lord gave me to help people feel the spirit as well as to prepare myself for my mission.