With the holidays quickly approaching, the city transforms into a more magical place. Christmas markets open, sparkling lights cover the city (even more than usual), and decorations take over. The stages even transform as Christmas shows come for a limited time. Watching a broadway show is a great way to experience NYC, especially when the weather gets cold, so we’ve put together a guide specifically for the seasonal shows this Christmas.
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Last Updated: Nov 20, 2018
20 Christmas Shows in NYC to See This Season
MUSICALS & PLAYS
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, map
Dates: Nov 9, 2018 to Jan 1, 2019
Length: 90 minutes
Purchase Tickets
The Radio City Rockettes have been a part of NYC since 1932. Every year, their Christmas Spectacular is one of the most popular shows and attractions in the city. Set in the iconic Radio City Music Hall, watch them sing and dance in perfect synchronization.
- Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
- The Dead, 1904
- A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House
- Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol
- All is Calm
- A Child’s Christmas in Wales
- Christmas in Hell
- The Truth About Santa
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze
- New York City Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
- Dances Patrelle: The Yorkville Nutcracker
- Mark Morris Dance Group: The Hard Nut
- Moscow Ballet: Great Russian Nutcracker
- New York Theatre Ballet: Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker
- Company XIV: Nutcracker Rouge
- The Bang Group: Nut/Cracked
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker
- The Magic Flute
- The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays
Hulu Theatre, Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, map
Dates: Dec 13 to Dec 30, 2019
Length: TBA
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If you’re looking for a musical that captures the holiday spirit, put this on your list. It’s a great show for the whole family and a great way to get rid of any of the those Grinchy feelings you might have about the holidays.
The American Irish Historical Society, 991 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, map
Dates: Nov 17, 2018 to Jan 13, 2019
Length: 120 minutes
Purchase Tickets
This is an immersive show that follows two elderly sisters through their home. The audience attends the party, moves from room to room, and shares includes a dinner.
photo: Carol Rosegg
Merchant’s House Museum, 29 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003, map
Dates: Nov 27 to Dec 29, 2018
Length: 60 minutes
Get a different perspective of this classic story as you hear Charles Dickens narrate his tale in a 19th century home.
Imperial Theatre, 249 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036, map
Dates: Dec 7 to Dec 30, 2018
Length: TBA
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In 2003, Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken were the final two standing in the second season of American Idol. They now reunite to put together a Christmas show great for the whole family. A portion of the proceeds is also going to the National Inclusion Project, a nonprofit cofounded by Clay focused on increasing opportunities for children with disabilities.
Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012, map
Dates: Nov 18 to Dec 30, 2018
Length: TBA
Purchase Tickets
All is Clam tells the true story when Allied and German soldiers made peace to celebrate Christmas together.
photo: Dan Norman
Irish Repertory Theatre, 132 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10011, map
Dates: Nov 28 to Dec 30, 2018
Length: TBA
This show was previously presented in 2010, 2011, and 2015, and Charlotte Moore is excited to bring back again this year. It’s an adaption of Dylan Thomas’ holiday poem set to traditional Irish music.
York Theatre, 619 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022, map
Dates: Dec 4 to Dec 30, 2018
Length: TBD
Follow 6-year-old Davin as he is accidentally pulled into hell. He returns but realized he has gone through a change and missed Christmas. His father then goes on a weird journey as he tries to find Lucifer to make things right.
The Tank, 312 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018, map
Dates: Dec 5 to Dec 20, 2018
Length: 70 minutes
Purchase Tickets
This dark comedy by Greg Kotis (Urinetown) tells the story of what happens when Santa brings hi mistress and their kids to the North Pole to an unwelcoming Mrs. Claus.
photo: Anthony Dean
Kings Theater, 1027 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226, map
Dates: Nov 29 to Dec 2, 2018
Length: TBA
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Mash a Broadway Musical together with the magic of Cirque, then sprinkle on the healthy dose of holiday spirit and you’re sure to have a spectacular show.
Dance & MISC
David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, map
Dates: Nov 23 to Dec 30, 2019
Length: 135 minutes
In it’s 63rd year, this is one the most magical performances of the classic there is. 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 32 stagehands, and 50 students from the School of American Ballet bring this story to life. There’s even an onstage blizzard and a Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet.
The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College 695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065, map
Dates: Dec 6 to Dec 9, 2018
Length: 120 minutes
Here is another option for seeing the Nutcracker in NYC. This performance is set in 1895 New York, and features two dancers who have been New York City Ballet principals.
BAM, 651 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, map
Dates: Dec 14 to Dec 23, 2018
Length: 120 minutes
This is one of the wildest and fun productions of The Nutcracker. It’s a blend of ballet, modern, and folk dance, and is set in the 70s with pop-art backdrops and design.
photo: Julieta Cervantes
Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226, map
Dates: Dec 8, 2018
Length: 120 minutes
Here is another take on Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. In this rendition, the second act takes Masha and the Prince to the Land of Peace and Harmony instead of the Sugar Plum Fairy. One of the most elegant numbers includes two performers acting as a single bird with a wingspan of 20 feet.
Florence Gould Hall, 55 E 59th St, New York, NY 10022, map
Dates: Dec 14 to Dec 16, 2018
Length: 60 minutes
Check out this Art Nouveau version of the classic ballet. There’s even an owl that flies over the audience!
photo: Julieta Cervantes
Théâtre XIV, 383 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237, map
Dates: Nov 9, 2018 to Jan 13, 2019
Length: 150 minutes
Purchase Tickets
Leave the kids at home if you’re headed to see this risqué version of the classic tale. The erotic reimagining of the story uses dance, circus performers, singers, and partial nudity to spice things up.
The Flea Theater, 20 Thomas St, New York, NY 10007, map
Dates: Dec 20 to Dec 22, 2018
Length: 65 minutes
A mix of tap, ballet, disco, and contemporary dance combine to create a comedic take on The Nutcracker.
Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226, map
Dates: Dec 23, 2018
Length: TBA
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For a modern take on Tchaikovsky’s ballet, follow along as Kurtis Blow MCs this hip-hop version.
The Metropolitan Opera, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, map
Dates: Dec 19, 2018 to Jan 5, 2019
Length: 102 minutes
Purchase Tickets
Composed by Mozart just before his death, this opera is brought to life in NYC through a mix of animation, dialogue, and singing. It’s a great introduction opera and it’s easy to follow the struggle between light and dark.
Marquis Theatre, 210 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, map
Dates: Nov 23 to Dec 30, 2018
Length: 130 minutes
Purchase Tickets
Celebrate this magical time of year with some actual magic! The amazing cast will use illusions, mentalism, technology, and more to make you question reality. See Shin Lim, Darcy Oake, Adam Trent, Colin Cloud, Chloe Crawford, and Light Balance.
Essential Tips
- NYC gets extremely busy during the holidays so pick up tickets as soon as you know you want to go to one of these shows.
- Looking for other Broadway shows? Check out our post.
- Trains tend to run slow or late when the weather is bad. If it’s snowing, give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue.
Best Places to Stay Near the Theater District in NYC
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Esther + Jacob
