Get into the holiday spirit by seeing one of these Christmas shows in NYC in 2025!
In this post, I list musicals, concerts, ballet and orchestra performances, gospel shows, and free Christmas events.
I'm a local tour guide with Tours by Foot NYC who loves seeing shows -- any time of the year!
But at Christmas, I'm extra thrilled by the seasonal performances I can't see any other time of the year.
This post lists my favorites and also those of my fellow tour guides.
Looking for other ideas besides seeing a show? Check out our post on Things to Do for Christmas in NYC.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Even though the Rockettes originated in St. Louis, these high-kicking ladies have become synonymous with New York City.
During the performance, the Radio City Rockettes perform their famous “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”, as well as a variety of other numbers.
The show runs multiple times each day so you should be able to find a date right for you. Still, tickets sell fast so buy now!
- Venue: Radio City Music Hall at W. 50th Street and 6th Avenue.
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: November 8 - January 5. There will be multiple performances on most days.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Read our posts on Radio City Christmas Spectacular Ticket Discounts and also Deals for Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour.
The Nutcracker
Seeing the New York City Ballet's annual production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a magical Christmas experience.
With elaborate special effects like a glowing Christmas tree that grows from 12 feet tall at the show's start until it reaches a towering 40 feet by the end.
The Nutcracker is a holiday performance not to be missed!
- Venue: David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: November 29 - January 5. Times vary depending on the date.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
The Elf on the Shelf: The Musical
If you're visiting New York City with children, you might want to consider taking them to the musical version of this classic Christmas story.
- Venue: Marquis Theater
- Dates/Times: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: Nov 9 - Jan 4, at 7 pm with a matinee show on Saturdays at 1 pm.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Big Band Holidays at Lincoln Center
Get jazzy with the Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis playing your favorite holiday music.
It is a holiday extravaganza for people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Venue: Lincoln Center, 10 Columbus Circle.
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: December 18-22
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Learn how to get offers for Lincoln Center Tours tickets.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
See one of the best Broadway shows! Watch the continuing tale of Harry Potter unfold through this stage production of the eighth story in the franchise.
Fans of the Wizarding World won't want to miss this opportunity to experience the last Harry Potter story written to date.
The performance is 5-6 hours long, with just one intermission, which might be a bit much for younger children.
- Venue: Lyric Theatre, 214 W. 43rd St.
- Dates/Times: playing regularly throughout the year.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Jingle Ball
The iHEARTRadio Jingle Ball is a charity concert sponsored by Z100 radio station.
Each year this pop concert features top stars.
The lineup features Katy Perry, twenty one pilots, Tate McRae, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey and NCT Dream.
- Venue: Madison Square Garden, 4 Penn Plaza.
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: December 13 at 7 pm
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Merry Tuba Christmas - Free event
Celebrate the Annual Merry Tuba Christmas as hundreds of tuba players of all ages gather in the Rink at Rockefeller Center.
It's free to attend!
They will be right next to the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and will play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites.
- Venue: The Rink at Rockefeller Center at 5th Ave. between 49th and 50th St.
- Dates: 2025 dates TBD. Last year's dates: December 10 at 3:30 pm.
- Tickets: Free.
TIP: While you are at Rockefeller Center, take the time to discover the beauty of this Art Deco complex of buildings.
Our post on Tours of Rockefeller Center lists all the options from a free self-guided tour to an official guided tour.
Amateur Night at the Apollo - Holiday Edition
This special holiday show includes talented children dancers, musicians, and singers who have won past Amateur Night's Stars of Tomorrow.
- Venue: Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th St.
- Date: TBD for 2025 season. Last year date: December 14 at 7:30 pm
- Tickets: Prices start at $44.
- Purchase here.
Take a tour of the historic Apollo Theater.
Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time
Does it get any more Christmas-y than the pop hit, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' from Mariah Carey’s iconic Merry Christmas album?
This sure-to-be fantastic concert will feature timeless holiday classics and fan favorites.
- Venue: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year date: Tue Dec 17
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Also playing in nearby venues:
- Fri Dec 13 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
- Sun Dec 15 in UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY
Harlem Gospel Holiday Celebration
Join this one-hour holiday celebration with uplifting music by this renowned Harlem gospel choir of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Harlem.
You can choose between Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
- Venue: Mt. Olivet Baptist Church
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: December 24 and 25 at 11 am
- Tickets: $22 (ages 8 and up), $6 (aged 7 and under).
- Purchase here.
Not here for the holidays? Luckily, you can see a performance any time of the year.
Find out where from our post, Gospel Music in Harlem and the Rest of New York City.
A Christmas Carol - The Musical
This off-Broadway production of a timeless classic has run every holiday season for 10 years.
This will be especially fun for children.
- Venue: Players Theatre at 115 MacDougal Street (between W. 3rd & Bleecker).
- Dates/Times: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: December 1 – 30. Show times vary by date.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
The Players Theater is in Greenwich Village, a fun neighborhood to explore.
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
This year, the Metropolitan Opera will perform an abridged version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, a musical fairy-tale perfect for the holiday season.
The show is produced by Julie Taymor of Lion King fame and has been shortened to under two hours, making it a great choice for families with young children.
- Venue: The Metropolitan Opera House
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year dates: Multiple dates between December 12, and January 4. Times vary depending on the date.
- Tickets: Starting from $35.
- Purchase here.
This magnificent opera house can be visited on a Lincoln Center tour.
New York Philharmonic’s Handel’s Messiah
Christmas without hearing Handel’s classic telling of the story of Christ is no Christmas at all.
Handel’s masterpiece, with the Hallelujah choruses, are filled with joy and uplifting spirit.
- Venue: David Geffen Hall
- Dates: Dec 11 - Dec 14
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Regeneration Night
An annual celebration at the Apollo to recognize another seasonal holiday, Kwanzaa.
Hear music and see dance that exemplifies the values of the holiday, family, community, and culture.
- Venue: Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St.
- Dates: 2025 dates TBD. Last year's dates: December 30, 2 pm and 7:30 pm.
- Tickets: Start at $25.
- Purchase here.
Unsilent Night - Free Event
A very unusual way to celebrate the holidays, and an unforgettable one.
People gather in Washington Square Park to prepare for this one-mile parade in which everyone is invited to bring their own boomboxes or sound-blasters.
Everyone downloads the specific track for the event and then makes a lot of noise in unison!
- Venue: Washington Square Park
- Date: 2025 dates TBD. Last year's dates: December 17 at 6:00 pm (meet under the Arch at 5:45 pm)
- Tickets: Free
Click here for the details of how to participate.
A "Home Alone" Christmas with Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin hosts a screening of the Christmas movie favorite, Home Alone, followed by a Q&A session and audience questions
Hear Culkin discuss his favorite memories from filming, and why he thinks this movie remains a much-loved holiday classic.
- Venue: New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year date: Dec. 13 at 8 pm
- Tickets: Staring at $60. Purchase here.
A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House
Be transported back in time when you see this classic Charles Dickens tale in the landmark 1832 Merchant’s House Museum.
- Venue: The Merchant’s House Museum, 29 East 4th Street between Bowery and Lafayette Avenue.
- Dates: November 26 to December 29. Times vary by date.
- Tickets: From $50 - $130. Purchase tickets.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live
Join the Peanuts gang for this timeless seasonal classic.
This production features actors performing as the animated characters we love, along with the memorable Vince Guaraldi musical score.
- Venue: Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center in Carteret, New Jersey.
- Dates/Times: TBD for 2025 season. Last year date: Dec 15.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
Make Music Winter - Free Event
A free outdoor music-making celebration featuring parades around the city, showcasing many cultures and genres.
This takes place every year on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.
- Venue: Click here for the various events around the city
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year date: December 21. Time has yet to be announced.
- Tickets: Free.
A Christmas Carol in Harlem
This production by the Classical Theater of Harlem takes this Charles Dickens classic and adapts it to present-day Harlem.
While weaving in serious social issues, this production is still humorous and maintains a joyful holiday spirit.
- Venue: City College Center for the Arts Aaron Davis Hall.
- Dates: 2025 yet to be announced.
- Tickets: n/a
22. Winter Wonderland at the Apollo Theater - Free Family Event
This free event is perfect for families!
It takes place at the legendary Apollo Theater.
Underneath the famous marquee, the whole family can take part in holiday-themed activities including picture-taking with Santa Claus, and see fantastic performances from local choirs.
- Venue: Under the marquee of the Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St.
- Dates: 2025 dates TBD. Last year's date was December 9 at 2 pm
- Tickets: Free
Read more about the performance here.
New Year’s Eve at the AMC Theater in Times Square
Watch movies or dance all night on New Year’s Eve on adult-only floors with open bars and mini buffets or get tickets for the Family Fun New Year’s Eve (no alcohol served).
- Venue: AMC Theater on West 42nd Street.
- Dates: TBD for 2025 season. Last year date: December 31, 9 pm - 3 am.
- Tickets: Purchase here.
See our post about spending New Year's Eve in Times Square.
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