Must-See NYC Christmas Shows in 2026 with Dates & Tickets

Emma Hellmer | October 15, 2026

With snow-dusted streets and bundled-up pedestrians, New York City transforms during the holiday season. Ice skaters twirl at Rockefeller Center. Today’s biggest pop stars take the stage at Z100’s Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden. The Rockettes high-kick and flawlessly execute the iconic Wooden Soldier Fall during their annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Big Apple Christmas Staples

Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes
NYC Ballet in The Nutcracker
A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC
Z100's Jingle Ball
The Magic Flute - Holiday Presentation
Chris Botti's Holiday Residency

Orchestra & Dance Shows

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
New York Philharmonic: Sounds of the Season
A Very SW!NG OUT Holiday
The New York Pops: Sleigh Bells Ring

Holiday Comedy & Theatre

Ana Gasteyer: Sugar and Booze Holiday Spectacular
Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise

Holiday Movies Reimagined

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase
Love Actually in Concert

Whether you’re visiting to experience the magic of Christmas in the city or a local looking for hidden gems, here are the must-see holiday shows in New York City this holiday season. Some are seasonal classics, while others are one-night-only events you won’t want to miss.

Get tickets to these holiday live shows all in one place here at Event Tickets Center.

Big Apple Christmas Staples

These shows are the essential annual Christmas staples in New York City. While they run year after year, each new performance still provides something special.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes

The Rockettes perform the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Seeing the Rockettes perform their Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an essential holiday experience in New York City. While certain aspects of the show vary each year, the core traditions remain intact.

During the 90-minute show, which runs multiple times daily, you can expect to see the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, the Living Nativity, and the synchronized kickline, along with other surprises.

Dates: Nov. 4, 2026 - Jan. 4, 2027
Venue: Radio City Music Hall
Address: 1260 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), New York, NY 10020
Runtime: 90 minutes, no intermission
Event details: The annual Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes, featuring precision dance, elaborate sets, and holiday-themed performances.

See the full schedule of performances and get Rockettes tickets now.

NYC Ballet in The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker ballet performed on stage.

The premier New York City Ballet annually performs George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the David H. Koch Theater. With six to eight shows per week, the show offers guests a portal into a winter wonderland as Clara journeys through her Christmas fantasy.

Running around two hours, including a brief intermission, the show offers the perfect holiday date night in the city.

Dates: Nov. 27, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Venue: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
Address: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Runtime: 2 hours, including intermission
Event details: George Balanchine's production of the classic holiday ballet, performed by New York City Ballet.

See these exceptional performers this holiday season; see the full Nutcracker ballet schedule and purchase NYC Ballet tickets now.

A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC

Experience Charles Dickens' holiday classic in an immersive theatrical production at PAC NYC. This adaptation brings Ebenezer Scrooge's journey of redemption to the stage for the holiday season.

Dates: Nov. 20, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Venue: Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
Address: 251 Fulton Street (at the corner of Greenwich Street), New York, NY 10007
Runtime: 2 hours, including intermission
Event details: An immersive production of Charles Dickens' classic, adapted by Jack Thorne and directed by Matthew Warchus.

With its timeless story and immersive staging, A Christmas Carol is a seasonal theater pick for families and fans of classic holiday tales. See the full show schedule and get A Christmas Carol tickets now.

Z100's Jingle Ball

Alex Warren, headliner of the Z100 Jingle Ball, performs on stage.

Z100's Jingle Ball returns to Madison Square Garden for its 2026 holiday concert, featuring a lineup of pop, R&B, and K-pop artists. The Dec. 11 show includes SOMBR, Alex Warren, Charlie Puth, Hilary Duff, Teddy Swims, Sienna Spiro, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and Yeonjun, Stella Lefty, and Freya Skye, with special guest performances by Bella Kay and The Beaches. The concert starts at 7:00 PM and is part of the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour.

Dates: Dec. 11, 2026
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Address: Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001
Event details: Annual holiday pop concert starring Sombr, Alex Warren, Charlie Puth, Hilary Duff, and Teddy Swims.

Whether you're going to see a favorite artist or catch several performers in one night, Jingle Ball offers a concert-style celebration of the holiday season. Get Jingle Ball tickets now.

The Magic Flute Opera

Mozart's The Magic Flute returns to the Metropolitan Opera in an abridged, English-language production suited to the holiday season. The opera combines music, fantasy, and a story of adventure as Prince Tamino sets out on a quest.

Dates: Dec. 11, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 28, and 30, 2026; Jan. 2, 2027
Venue: Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center
Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Event details: An abridged, English-language holiday production of Mozart's opera.

This seasonal production is an accessible introduction to opera for newcomers and a festive choice for longtime fans of classical music. Purchase The Magic Flute tickets now.

Chris Botti's Holiday Residency

Trumpeter Chris Botti returns to the Blue Note Jazz Club for his annual holiday residency. The intimate jazz club setting makes this a chance to experience his trumpet performances up close during the festive season.

Dates: Dec. 10-31, 2026
Venue: Blue Note Jazz Club
Address: 131 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012 (Greenwich Village)
Event details: Trumpeter Chris Botti's 22nd annual holiday residency.

With performances scheduled throughout December, the residency offers a holiday outing for jazz fans and live music lovers. See the full schedule and get Chris Botti tickets now.

Orchestra & Dance Shows

From holiday orchestral concerts to dance productions with a twist, these New York City performances offer festive alternatives to traditional Christmas shows.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

The Hip Hop Nutcracker puts a modern spin on the holiday classic, pairing Tchaikovsky's familiar score with hip-hop choreography. The production reimagines the story through contemporary dance.

Dates: Dec. 23, 2026
Venue: Kings Theatre
Address: 1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Event details: A hip-hop reimagining of The Nutcracker, blending Tchaikovsky's music with hip-hop dance.

It's a fresh take on a seasonal favorite for dance fans and anyone looking for something different from a traditional ballet.

New York Philharmonic: Sounds of the Season

The New York Philharmonic brings its musicians to David Geffen Hall for Sounds of the Season, a holiday concert in the heart of Lincoln Center. The program offers an opportunity to enjoy live orchestral music during December.

Dates: Dec. 11-12, 2026
Venue: David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
Address: 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Event details: A holiday concert by the New York Philharmonic. Program and artists have not yet been announced.

Keep an eye out for program announcements as the dates approach if you're planning a holiday night out centered on classical music.

A Very SW!NG OUT Holiday

A Very SW!NG OUT Holiday celebrates the season through Lindy Hop, a partner dance style rooted in swing music. The production pairs high-energy dance performances with live holiday music from the Eyal Vilner Big Band.

Dates: Dec. 1-6, 2026
Venue: The Joyce Theater
Borough: 175 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011 (at 19th Street)
Event details: A holiday swing dance production featuring Lindy Hop performances and live holiday music by the Eyal Vilner Big Band.

This show is a good pick for fans of jazz, swing dancing, and live music who want a holiday performance outside the usual concert format.

The New York Pops: Sleigh Bells Ring

The New York Pops celebrates the holidays with Sleigh Bells Ring, an orchestral concert featuring Broadway performers Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez. The program brings together live orchestral music and musical theater talent for a seasonal performance at Carnegie Hall.

Dates: Dec. 18-19, 2026
Venue: Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Address: 881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Event details: The New York Pops Orchestra's annual holiday concert, featuring Broadway stars Derek Klena and Lindsay Mendez.

For Broadway fans and orchestral music lovers, this concert offers a festive way to enjoy familiar holiday sounds in one of New York's best-known performance venues.

Holiday Comedy & Theatre

Holiday entertainment in NYC also includes comedy, music, and unconventional stage productions. These shows offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas concerts and theater.

Ana Gasteyer: Sugar and Booze Holiday Spectacular

Actor and comedian Ana Gasteyer brings her holiday show to The Town Hall, mixing music, cabaret, and comedy. The performance puts a humorous spin on seasonal entertainment.

Dates: Dec. 4, 2026
Venue: The Town Hall
Address: 123 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
Event details: A holiday show combining music, cabaret, and comedy.

Sugar and Booze Holiday Spectacular is a fitting option for anyone who prefers a witty, music-filled night out to a traditional holiday production.

Blue Man Group: A New Holiday Surprise

Blue Man Group brings its signature mix of physical comedy, percussion, and visual spectacle to a holiday-themed production. The show offers a different kind of seasonal outing, built around the group's unconventional performance style.

Dates: Nov. 12, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Venue: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
Address: 205 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 (Theater District)
Event details: Blue Man Group's first-ever holiday production.

With its blend of comedy, music, and visual effects, the production may appeal to visitors looking for a family-friendly show that breaks from the usual holiday format.

Holiday Movies Reimagined

Some holiday events bring beloved movies to the stage or big screen in a live setting. These experiences pair familiar films with special appearances or live musical accompaniment.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase

Celebrate the holiday comedy National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with a special appearance by star Chevy Chase. The event features a live conversation reflecting on the film and its place in holiday movie traditions.

Dates: Nov. 22, 2026
Venue: St. George Theatre
Address: 35 Hyatt Street, Staten Island, NY 10301
Event details: A live conversation with Chevy Chase celebrating the film

This event is a fun option for fans who return to the Griswold family's holiday mishaps every year and want to hear more about the movie from one of its stars.

Love Actually in Concert

Love Actually comes to the big screen with its soundtrack performed live by an orchestra. The format combines the familiar romantic comedy with a live musical experience, adding a concert element to a holiday movie night.

Dates: Dec. 5, 2026
Venue: Kings Theatre
Address: 1027 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Event details: The film plays on screen while a live orchestra performs its soundtrack.

It's a seasonal pick for fans of the film who want to revisit its interconnected love stories with live music in a theater setting.

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