Pageants – Nauvoo Historic Sites

Nauvoo & British Pageants

Location: Near the Corner of Partridge & White Streets

These two stirring 90-minute outdoor presentations share the stories of those who built Nauvoo or emigrated from the British Isles in the 1840s. With words taken from journals, sermons, and historical records, the pageants weave personal experiences with song and dance, inviting all to feel the powerful testimonies of those faithful Church members.

Running four weeks each summer, the free performances begin at 8:30 p.m. The Nauvoo Pageant runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The British Pageant is on Wednesday and Friday.

The 2023 Pageant Season runs July 11 to August 12.

Find out more about the Nauvoo and British Pageants by clicking on the links below.

Although no tickets are required for either pageant, visitors may reserve seats a few hours before the performance. See more details below.

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, commemorates the building of the original Nauvoo Temple, and celebrates universal themes of faith, family, and community.

Days:

Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

Showtimes:

8:30 p.m.

Location:

Pageant Stage

Tickets:

No Tickets Required, but YOU May reserve seats.

How to Reserve Seats

On the day of the performance, a member of your party may go to the kiosk on White Street near the Pageant area to get tape, paper and string. Write your name and number of seats to be reserved on the paper (e.g., Jones 4). Cut the length of string you need to drape across that number of chairs. Beginning at 2:00 pm, those in line at the kiosk will be allowed a few at a time to go reserve seats.

Search for seats that have not already been reserved and tie or loop the string on chair backs or seats, connecting them together. Tape the paper with your name and number of seats to the string, NOT TO THE CHAIRS. If several seats are being reserved, put more than one paper along the string for greater clarity. Please do not move another person’s string.

On any day, you may only reserve seats for that night’s performance.

Country Fair

Come early to the pageant and enjoy the Nauvoo Country Fair! A favorite activity for young and young at heart, guests enjoy 20 different 1840’s style games and activities hosted by family cast members dressed in period costumes.

Starts at 7 p.m., no ticket or reservation required, and no donations accepted

British Pageant

Also called “The Truth Will Prevail,” the British Pageant was first performed in Preston, England, and began its run in the United States in 2015. It chronicles early missionary efforts in the British Isles that inspired thousands of converts to emigrate to Nauvoo.

Days:

Wednesdays & Fridays

Showtimes:

8:30 p.m.

Location:

Pageant Stage

Tickets:

No Tickets Required, but YOU May reserve seats.

How to reserve Seats

Search for seats that have not already been reserved and tie or loop the string on chair back or seats, connecting them together. Tape the paper with your name and number of seats to the string, NOT TO THE CHAIRS. If several seats are being reserved, put more than one paper along the string for greater clarity. Please do not move another person’s string.

On any day, you may only reserve seats for that night’s performance.

Country Fair

Starts at 7 p.m., no ticket or reservation required, and no donations accepted

Image Gallery

Scroll through our gallery of images from recent performances of the Nauvoo and British Pageants.

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Pageants

The Nauvoo Pageant tells the story of how Nauvoo was built and what it meant to those who lived there in the 1840s.

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Pageants

The British Pageant was first performed in 2015 in Preston, England. The show chronicles the mission of Heber C. Kimball and others to the British Isles that inspired thousands of people to emigrate to Nauvoo.

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Pageants

Both pageants share the faith and courage of early Church members who embraced the Book of Mormon as a companion to the Holy Bible in testifying of Jesus Christ.

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Pageants

The Nauvoo Pageant pays tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith, commemorates the building of the Nauvoo Temple, and celebrates universal themes of faith, family, and community.

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Pageants

Entire families volunteer to perform in the cast.

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Pageants

Professional actors comprise the main company, often switching roles between each pageant.

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Pageants

The Nauvoo Pageant recounts the personal interactions Joseph and Emma Smith had with members arriving in Nauvoo. This scene tells of the sacrifices Jane Manning made to travel to Nauvoo.

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Pageants

Building the Nauvoo temple took the time and resources of nearly everyone in town, as depicted in this scene.

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Pageants

Performers use narrative, dance, and music to share the story of Nauvoo between 1839-1846.

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Pageants

Dancing was a common pastime in Nauvoo, and dances are a favorite part of the pageants.

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Pageants

Each pageant begins with a prayer and the singing of the national anthem of the United States.

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Country Fair

Each night before a performance, the Pageant cast hosts a Country Fair. Visitors and performers mingle to play games, make crafts, and learn a dance. Activities begin around 7:00 pm.

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Country Fair

Country Fair participants saw logs, watch sock puppet shows, race in gunny sacks, pull handcarts, and more.

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Vignettes

Cast members from the pageants act out short historical vignettes throughout the day during Pageant season. These vignettes take place at various locations and times.