Visiting NYC during the holidays? Check out these awesome Christmas shows!
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: November 2, 2026
15 Christmas Shows in NYC to See This Season
We’ve organized the shows by grouping them into two groups. The first is musicals, plays, and concerts, and the second is dance & miscellaneous.
Musicals, Plays, and Concerts
1. Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes →
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, map
Dates: Nov 4, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027
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.
See More: 10+ Amazing Christmas Markets in NYC to Visit
2. A Christmas Carol the Musical
The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012, map
Dates: November 29 – December 30, 2026
Length: 60 minutes
Purchase Tickets
Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale about the joy of community triumphing over selfishness, presented in this fresh musical adaptation by Sgouros & Bell. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his emotional journey as he is visited by four forewarning ghosts. Will Scrooge catch the holiday spirit and save himself in the process? Find out by joining us for this special holiday show with a story so warm it will melt the cold heart of even the grumpiest Scrooge! Now in its 16th smash year, featuring updated, British pantomime-inspired scenic design, this holiday event is not to be missed!
3. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play →
Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036, map
Dates: November 18, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Length: 90 minutes
Purchase Tickets
The Broadway debut of Joe Landry’s adaptation, directed by Jerry Zaks and starring Andrew Rannells (George Bailey), Megan Hilty (Mary), Tituss Burgess (Clarence), Harry Hamlin (Mr. Potter) and Lisa Rinna. The audience sits in as the studio audience for a 1940s radio broadcast of the Capra classic. Actors play dozens of characters, a foley artist makes the sound effects live onstage, and carols fill the gaps. Ages 4–5+.
4. The MET Opera: The Magic Flute
The Metropolitan Opera, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, map
Dates: December 11, 20256- January 2, 2027
Length: 90 minutes
Purchase Tickets
A beloved New York holiday tradition, Mozart’s enchanting fable takes the stage in the Met’s abridged, English-language production by Julie Taymor—the Tony Award–winning director of Broadway’s The Lion King. Running under 90 minutes and dazzling audiences with vibrant sets, colorful costumes, and eye-popping puppetry, it’s the perfect show for the holidays and a delightful introduction to opera for audiences of all ages.
5. A Christmas Carol
Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10007, map
Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Length: 120 minutes, including a 15 min intermission
Purchase Tickets
Two visionary Tony Award® winners—playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), conceiver and director Matthew Warchus (Matilda The Musical)—offer a magical interpretation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. Brimming with merriment, music, and holiday treats, this immersive production wraps the audience around the action, inviting the communal holiday spirit in us all.
6. New York Philharmonic – Handel’s Messiah →
David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, map
Dates: December 9-13, 2026
Purchase Tickets
Synopsis: The Philharmonic’s yearly run of Handel’s oratorio, which moves from the prophecy of the Nativity through the Passion to the Resurrection and peaks with the “Hallelujah” chorus. This year Jeannette Sorrell and singers from her period-instrument ensemble Apollo’s Fire join the orchestra.
7. The New York Pops: Sleigh Bells Ring
Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium, 881 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, map
Dates: December 18-19, 2026
Purchase Tickets
The Pops’ yearly holiday concert, led by Steven Reineke with Broadway stars Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez and the youth chorus Essential Voices USA. The program mixes classic carols with newer seasonal favorites.
8. Drunk Christmas Carol →
The Ruby Theatre, 35 West 39th Street, New York, NY 10018, map
Dates: November 12, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Purchase Tickets
From the team behind Drunk Shakespeare. Five actors perform a fast, 90-minute version of Dickens’s story, and one of them is genuinely drunk, which leads to improv chaos. This is its New York debut. 21+ only.
9. Oratorio Society of New York: Messiah
Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium, 881 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, map
Dates: December 21, 2026
Length: 150 min, including an intermission
Purchase Tickets
Few holiday traditions in New York run as deep as OSNY’s Messiah. Handel’s immortal oratorio has been performed by the Oratorio Society of New York without interruption for 152 consecutive years making this one of the longest-running concert traditions in American musical life. From the stirring orchestral opening to the iconic “Hallelujah,” this is the season’s essential musical event.
10. Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise →
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Belmont Park, NY 11003, map
Dates: December 7, 2025
Purchase Tickets
Bring in the holiday season with three-time Grammy winners Pentatonix! The powerhouse four-piece who found success through NBC’s The Sing-Off, have been at the forefront of the recent acapella revival. With record-breaking albums behind them, the kings and queen of acapella sprinkle their harmonies across the country on their ‘Christmas In The City Tour’!
11. Jingle Ball →
MSG, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, map
Dates: December 11, 2026
Purchase Tickets
It’s back! The biggest touring concert of the year has returned once again, stuffed with more pop talent than you can shake a sprig of holly at. Featuring appearances from Sombr, Alex Warren, Charlie Puth, Hilary Duff, Teddy Swims, Sienna Spiro, Txt & Yeonjun, Stella Lefty, and Freya Skye.
Dance & Misc
12. New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker
David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, map
Dates: November 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Length: 120 minutes, with 1 intermission
Purchase Tickets
Balanchine’s 1954 staging of Tchaikovsky’s ballet. Young Marie gets a nutcracker at a Christmas Eve party, watches it come to life and defeat the Mouse King, then travels through a snowy forest to the Land of Sweets ruled by the Sugarplum Fairy. Features the full NYCB orchestra, a growing Christmas tree, and children from the School of American Ballet.
13. Company XIV: Nutcracker Rouge
Théâtre XIV, 383 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237, map
Dates: Through January 30, 2027
Length: 135 minutes, with 2 intermissions
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.
14. Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet →
United Palace, 4140 Broadway, New York, NY 10033, map
Dates: December 5, 2026
Length: About 120 minutes
Purchase Tickets
Featuring spectacular sets and beautifully costumed dancers, the Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet is an annual treat for the whole family. Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blends with the richness of classical dance, dazzling costumes, soaring birds, giant puppets and a grand stage design to make this particular Nutcracker a unique holiday treat not to be missed!
15. The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show
New York City Center, 130 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019 map
Dates: November 25 & 27, 2026
Length: 120 minutes, with an intermission
Purchase Tickets
The ninth year of Drag Race icons Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme’s holiday variety show, and its first time at City Center. Every year is a brand-new comedy musical full of original songs, sketches and parodies, where Jinkx’s cynicism runs into DeLa’s relentless cheer. Mature humor.
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 in NYC
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on NYC hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a New York travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
- Save money on attractions with City Pass.
Have you seen any of the Christmas shows in NYC?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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