Pre-sale! 'Rudolph: The Musical' returns for holidays, get your tickets now with our code

For the fifth year, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will take center stage in a holiday show for families at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

This musical version of the story is incredibly faithful to the TV classic that inspired it, right down to the songs, costumes and gliding snowman narrator. My kids loved this hour-long show when they were younger. I'd recommend it for toddlers to young grade schoolers.

In 2018, the show opens on Nov. 23, which is the day after Thanksgiving, and runs until Dec. 24. There are a lot of kid-friendly matinees to choose from. Tickets start at $25 (plus taxes and fees). Children 12 months and older must have their own tickets. Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 27.

Here's the deal on the pre-sale:

The pre-sale runs from 8 a.m., Monday, July 16, to 11:59 p.m., July 26.

To get the deal, go to this special pre-sale link on Ticketmaster and key in the pre-sale code SANTA, which will allow you to purchase tickets now before the general public.

And if talk of Christmas makes you wonder, "What's up with Pullen Park's Holiday Express?," tickets go on sale for that very popular event at the end of this month.