As someone who’s enjoyed more than two dozen holiday shows in NYC firsthand, I thought it might be helpful to share my personal list of favorites. From beautiful family-friendly shows to unusual spectacles unique to NYC, here’s a quick roundup of the best Christmas shows in New York City from a local’s perspective.
Back by popular demand for 2025— I’m sharing the personalized 4 Day Itinerary I created for my own family and friends on how to enjoy the city’s most iconic holiday experiences as efficiently as possible in 4 days (a comprehensive 30 page guide). If you’re interested, you can find more information here (limited to 50 sales in 2025).
For more on dyker heights christmas, see our guide to Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide 2025 (Advice From a Local).
Best Christmas Shows in New York City
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Best Holiday Shows in NYC (Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
Website.The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
Address.1260 6th Ave, New York
Dates. November 8, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.
The talented Rockettes have been performing at Radio City Music Hall since 1930. It’s hard to think of a more iconic Christmas Show in New York City at this point. Expert choreography coupled with wildly talented dancers performing gravity-defying kicks, the 90-minute performance is guaranteed to impress even the staunchest critic.
Energized and fun, the talented troupe knows how to keep families entertained. Plus, the performance is narrated by Santa Claus himself, which instantly makes this one of the best Christmas shows in New York City for kids.
Trust me. order whatever the person next to you is having.
The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center
Website.George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Address.20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York
Dates. November 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Experiencing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a timeless NYC holiday tradition many locals consider sacred. The enchanting production brings Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life with stunning choreography, lavish sets and elaborate costumes.
Tickets clock in at $100-200 a piece, but considering the New York City Ballet is a world-class dance company the price is justified. Despite my initial skepticism, the performance left me awestruck. I consider The Nutcracker a must-see New York City holiday show.
Local’s Advice. The Nutcracker is the most popular Christmas show in NYC, so tickets sell out quickly. Prioritize the performance if your budget allows because it’s an unforgettable addition to your Christmas itinerary.
Joy of Christmas at St. John the Divine
Website.Joy of Christmas at St. John the Divine
Address.1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York
Dates. Generally the second weekend in December
Founded in 1892, St. John the Divine is the fifth largest church in the world. The monolithic structure’s soaring ceilings and stunning stained glass windows play host to the most beautiful Christmas concert in NYC, called “Joy of Christmas.”
The orchestra and choir envelop concertgoers with Christmas carols sung in symphonic splendor. The two-hour performance takes place once a year (typically mid-December), so tickets are pretty hard to score.
However, if you’re lucky enough to get admitted, you’ll be in for one of the best Christmas performances in New York City. If interested, keep an eye on the official website for tickets.
Local tip. A little secret I picked up from a local. the back patio is where the magic happens. Skip the main room.
A Christmas Carol. The Musical
Website. A Christmas Carol, The Musical
Address.Players Theatre. 115 MacDougal St, New York, NY
Dates. December 1 – 30, 2025
This one of those New York moments that makes you fall in love with the city all over again.
Celebrating its 16th year, A Christmas Carol is an Off-Broadway musical hosted at the Players Theatre in the West Village. An adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved A Christmas Carol, the tale follows a miserable Ebenezer Scrooge as he grapples with the forewarning ghost of Christmas.
An exciting musical adaptation by Sgouros & Bell, A Christmas Carol. The Musical has managed to become one of the best family-friendly holiday shows in NYC. Thoughtful and compassionate, the feel-good story is a welcome reminder that community will always triumph over selfishness.
Unsilent Night at Washington Square Park
Website.Unsilent Night Washington Square Park
Address.Washington Square, New York, NY
Dates. 2025 Date TBA
If you’d like to participate in a New York City Christmas performance (rather than standing on the sidelines), this one’s for you. A cheeky play on the 200-year carol, Unsilent Night is an unusual annual event where a crowd of participants synthesizes four tracks by composer Phil Kline to comprise Unsilent Night.
The four different tracks play simultaneously while Kline leads the chorus of boomboxes one mile from the West Village to Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, serenading the town with the most unique holiday performance in New York City.
Celebrating more than 30 years, the event draws thousands of spectators and has spread to 146 cities and five continents since its inauguration in 1992. Want to join the fun? It couldn’t be easier! Simply bring a Bluetooth speaker and make your way to the arch Washington Park.
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
Website.Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
Address.611 5th Ave, New York
Dates. Late November to early January
I’ve been here in every season. My favorite? Fall, when the light hits just right.
Of all the impressive lights you’re bound to see while celebrating the holidays in New York City, nothing tops the Saks 5th Avenue Light Show. The elaborate display and synchronized lights play in tandem with classic Christmas music, dazzling children and adults alike.
Details. The light show starts at 5pm and runs in 10-minute intervals until 11pm. Each show lasts 3 minutes (featuring 2-4 popular Christmas songs), followed by a five minute break.
Amateur Night Holiday Special at the Apollo
Website.Apollo Theater
Address.253 W 125th St, New York, NY
Dates. December 14, 2025
The storied Apollo Theater has hosted a long roster of legendary performers like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, H.E.R and Machine Gun Kelly to name a few. The venue hosts exciting performances year-round, but the Amateur Night Holiday Special is one of the most popular Christmas shows in NYC.
Famous for launching the careers of many artists, the Apollo hosts weekly competitions in search of new talent. Watch as skilled musicians, comedians and dancers parade down the stage attempting to earn the admiration of a notoriously tough crowd that applauds and boos with equal fervor.
Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg
Website.Marky Ramone
Address.Venues vary by year
Dates. 2025 Dates TBA
Marky Ramone, of the Ramones, upholds the band’s legacy with a full-blown punk concert (mosh pits and all) to usher in the holiday season. Untethered by tradition, Ramone belts the band’s greatest hits in lieu of classic Christmas carols. The rebellious holiday concert pays homage to the spirit of punk rock in the heart of New York City. It’s definitely a unique NYC Christmas show to consider for anyone that prefers the unconventional path.
2025 Christmas Shows in New York City (Post Summary)
- The Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes
- The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center
- Joy of Christmas at St. John the Divine
- Saks Fifth Light Show
- Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden
- Harlem Gospel Choir. Christmas Matinees
- A Christmas Carol
- Unsilent Night Washington Square Park
- Amateur Night Holiday Special at the Apollo
- Marky Ramone’s Holiday Blitzkrieg
Tips for Visiting NYC for the Holidays
- There’s no sense in sugarcoating it, NYC is COLD during the winter season. Average temperatures in December hover around 44°f but the windchill makes it feel colder! Even if you’re planning to stop indoors to check out a Christmas show in NYC, wear an insulated coat, warm hat or beanie, and these bad boys don’t hurt.
- The subway is an efficient mode of transportation but most folks still do a lot of walking in NYC. On your trek to the best New York City Christmas shows you’re going to want shoes that will keep your feet dry and comfortable. You’ll be getting those steps in, I guarantee it.
- New York City averages more than 63 million visitors per year, so crowds are a guarantee. That’s a lot of people trying to watch the same popular Christmas shows New York City has to offer. To avoid this try showing up early and on weekdays, and make reservations in advance.
Holiday Shows New York City (Map)
Based on our extensive local experience, we cover the top picks for christmas performances in New York City in this guide. Each spot has been personally visited and reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best Christmas show to see in NYC depends on personal preferences, but famous options include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the Unsilent Night march, and Marky Ramone’s punk-fueled Christmas show, each offering a unique and festive experience.
The Christmas Spectacular is held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Christmas shows in NYC typically start in November and run through December, aligning with the holiday season. However, exact start dates can vary among different shows and venues.
Helpful (Related) Links
Christmas in New York City. 20 MAGICAL Things to Do for Christmas in NYC (And 5 to Avoid!)
Christmas Packing Tips. What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
Where to Shop for Christmas.10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth the Visit!)
Where to Ice Skate. 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (Where to Skate For FREE!)
Christmas on a Budget. 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
And there it is folks, our list of the best Holiday Shows New York City has to offer!
Cheers!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Christmas Performances in New York City (2025 Guide). Have a favorite spot we missed? Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these Christmas Show in New York City options won’t disappoint.
Have you been here before?
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
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