
NYC’s holiday season is quickly approaching, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than see a festive show or performance? NYC’s Broadway and beyond offers some of the best entertainment around, and we’ve rounded up some jolly shows you’ve got to see while they’re in town. From the famous Rockettes to burlesque Christmas shows, there’s a little something for everyone!
Check out what Christmas shows are on this year:
1. Christmas Spectacular with The Radio City Rockettes

Of course we have to start off with the most recognizable Christmas spectacular that comes to NYC every year. The amazin’ Radio City Rockettes will kick off their headlining show on November 8th until January 5th! These iconic dancers will mesmerize you with their kick line and even get you to smile and cheer, thanks to their stunning lights and stage setup too. Check out the full schedule of shows here and reserve your tickets today!
Where: Radio City Music Hall
2. New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker
One of NYCB’s most acclaimed productions, The Nutcracker, will be on show starting November 29th… and it’s definitely worth it! George Balanchine’s rendition of the age-old tale features over 150 dancers and musicians, 125 children from the School of Ballet, and gorgeous production assets like a one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 41 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes. Learn more here.
Where: David H. Koch Theater
3. Santa’s Secret
For a raunchier Christmas show and speakeasy experience, you’ve got to check out Santa’s Secret. Between the wintery lumberjacks and glamorous performers in snow globes, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the entertainment while you sip on holiday cocktails. Learn more about Santa’s Secret here.
4. New York Theatre Ballet: The Nutcracker
Experience four ticketed performances of The Nutcracker, performed by the New York Theatre Ballet at select NYC locations this holiday season! Set to Tchaikovsky’s cherished score and long-time New York Theatre Ballet choreographer Keith Michael’s dancing, you can grab tickets now to a rendition that will blow you away! Check out the full dates below:
- November 22, 23 & 24 – Brookfield Place (Manhattan)
- December 1 – Kupferberg Center for the Arts (Flushing, Queens)
- December 15 – Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY)
- December 21 & 22 – Florence Gould Theater (Manhattan)
🎟️ Tickets for the New York Theatre Ballet’s The Nutcracker available here!
5. Candlelight Christmas Concerts
Enjoy the sounds of breath-taking holiday music by candlelight, at some of NYC’s most stunning venues. These festive concerts will feature the city’s best symphonies and musicians to create one-of-a-kind holiday music experiences like none-other! Check out the calendar of shows below and purchase tickets now:
- December 13 – Candlelight: Christmas Piano with Alexis Ffrench
- December 14 – Candlelight: Christmas Special ft “The Nutcracker” & More
- December 15 – Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
- December 17 – Candlelight: Holiday Classics ft. Zoltán Mága
- December 18 – Candlelight: Holiday Jazz and Soul Classics feat. Ella Fitzgerald
- December 19 & 20 – Candlelight: Holiday Carols on Strings
- December 20 & 21 – Candlelight: Christmas Special ft “The Nutcracker” & More
6. Z100’s Jingle Ball
NYC’s Z100 radio station always throws the best Christmas concert every year, and this year’s 10th annual Jingle Ball lineup features some of the hottest names in music!
The lineup includes Katy Perry, Tate McRae, Twenty One Pilots, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, The KID Laroi, Madison Beer, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey, and NCT Dream. The show is December 13th at Madison Square Garden!
🎟️ Jingle Ball tickets are available here!
Where: Madison Square Garden
7. Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time
All we want for Christmas…is to see the Christmas queen herself, Mariah Carey! She’ll be singing her iconic tune along with many more to the Tri-State area for 3 special shows this year. She’ll be at starting in Newark, NJ on December 13, heading to UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY on December 15, and closing out the tour at Madison Square Garden on December 17. Come on, what could be more legendary than seeing one of the most famous Christmas songs of all-time (we’re talking over 1B streams) in a magical city like NYC?
Where: Madison Square Garden
8. The Magic Flute
This Mozart theatrical experience is back this holiday season, and it’s a beautiful fairytale about a noble prince named Tamino that goes on a quest to win a fair princess named Pamina. The show runs from December 12th – January 4th!
🎟️ The Magic Flute tickets are available here!
Where: Metropolitan Opera House
9. Big Band Holidays at Jazz at Lincoln Center
In the mood for a little jazz? The Big Band Holidays events are jazz performances that are great for the whole family! You can expect hearty and festive jazz versions of popular Christmas tunes, all complete with top-tier musicians that are out of this world. The shows run from December 18 – 22!
🎟️ Big Band Holidays tickets are available here!
Where: Lincoln Center
10. Company XIV: Nutcracker Rouge
Last but not least on our list is Nutcracker Rouge, an erotic and sensual twist on the classic Nutcracker! Leave the kids at home and step into this playful experience that features drinks, circus performers, and even partial nudity. If you’re looking for a sexy and festive date night before Christmas, this is our pick. Performances start on November 7th. Learn more about it here.
Where: Theatre XIV
11. Elf: The Musical
The iconic 2003 movie Elf gets reimagined this holiday season on Broadway, bringing music and dancing to the popular story of Buddy the Elf. It’s only fitting that Elf’s reboot comes in NYC (which plays an integral part of the original film), as Buddy makes his journey through the North Pole and eventually back to the Big Apple! It’s set to hit the stage on November 9th and run through January 4th!
🎟️ Elf: The Musical tickets are available here!
Where: Marquis Theater
12. NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
Enjoy the America’s favorite Christmas tradition with the whole family for one-night-only at the United Palace this December! The beloved Nutcracker production will get an independent variation coming to NYC on December 4th! There will be plenty of whimsical puppets, lavish costumes and stunning acrobatics to go around.
🎟️ NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet tickets are available here!
Where: United Palace (4140 Broadway)
13. Pentatonix – Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour
Beloved acapella group Pentatonix are embarking on a holiday tour this Christmas season and are making a stop at the World’s Most Famous Arena! They’ll be singing all sorts of festive tunes from their Christmas album and catalogue for one-night-only on November 26th!
🎟️ Pentatonix tickets are available here!
Where: Madison Square Garden