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'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil, a circus spectacle celebrating the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last.
See the Radio City Rockettes, a naughty Nutcracker and more festive offerings
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The holiday season has officially arrived and seeing shows with your loved ones is a great way to celebrate. We've rounded up 15 festive productions for different types of audiences, so whether you're with the kids, out on a date, or looking to drink, laugh or sing along, there's a production for you. For even more seasonal entertainment, use the holiday filter on our Show Finder listings.
At press time, many of these shows were offering discounts to TDF members. During this busy time of year, it's best to log in daily to see what we're selling as ticket availability changes frequently. Not a TDF member? Our TKTS Discount Booths sell same-day tickets up to 50% off to many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
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Under the Big Top at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, 62nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues in Lincoln Square
Begins November 8. Closes January 15, 2024. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account and search for Big Apple Circus to purchase discount tickets.
Marveling at the jaw-dropping acrobats and aerialists of the Big Apple Circus is a beloved holiday tradition. The troupe has been pitching its tent at Lincoln Center for decades, and has survived bankruptcy, a pandemic and stylistic overhauls. This year, Big Apple is trying something new: a partnership with the German company Circus-Theater Roncalli, bringing an Old World flare to its entertaining antics. The New York Times just gave this show a Critic's Pick and I'm excited to take my trapeze-loving teen later this week. Animal lovers, take heart: all the live creatures doing tricks in this edition are human.
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Théâtre XIV, 383 Troutman Street between Wyckoff and Irving Avenues in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Begins November 16. Closes January 27, 2024. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
There are many Nutcrackers twirling around town this season, including George Balanchine's landmark version at New York City Ballet. But Nutcracker Rouge is for adults only! Leave the kids at home and your inhibitions at the door for Company XIV's burlesque and circus-filled take on the classic ballet, which returns to Brooklyn for its annual run. With sumptuous design, liberal libations and lots of sex appeal, this show is sure to heat up your holidays. Must be 21 or older to attend—yes, they check IDs!
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Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Avenue at 50th Street in Midtown West
Begins November 17. Closes January 4, 2024. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Although Santa, the Three Kings, Jesus and lots of local landmarks put in appearances, this extravaganza is all about The Rockettes and their stunning synchronized dance numbers, like the awesome "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the "Dance of the Frost Fairies." A New York City tradition since 1933, this iconic Christmas show truly jump-starts the seasonal feels—just walking into the bedazzled Radio City is sure to put you in a holiday mood.
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New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in Midtown West
Begins November 17. Closes January 21, 2024. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Best known from their appearances on America's Got Talent, the members of this troupe sport colorful, light-up suits as they perform meticulously choreographed routines in the dark. It's like holiday decorations come to life! Essentially a wordless dance show with cool special effects, iLuminate is an excellent option for families that value eye-popping sights over story.
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Merchant's House Museum, 29 East 4th Street between the Bowery and Lafayette Street in the East Village
Begins November 28. Closes December 24.
The ultimate old-school version of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, this one-man Christmas Carol is mounted in the 19th-century Merchant's House Museum. In this historic setting, actor John Kevin Jones plays Dickens performing all the characters, just like the Victorian author did back in the day. Can't make it in person? No need to "bah, humbug," you can watch a recording online at home.
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New York City Center, 131 West 55th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Midtown West
Begins November 29. Closes December 31. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Yes, the company's artistic director abruptly stepped down last week. But that's not going to stop Alvin Ailey's breathtaking dancers from putting their best footwork forward during the troupe's annual holiday run at New York City Center. In addition to an all-Ailey program that includes his enduring masterpiece Revelations, there are world premieres from Amy Hall Garner and Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish alongside works by Ronald K. Brown, Kyle Abraham, Hans van Manen and Jamar Roberts.
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Various locations, including two Brooklyn churches and Manhattan's Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Begins December 2. Closes December 17.
The endlessly inventive Dzieci Theatre presents the 25th anniversary production of Fools Mass, about a motley group of simple-minded, 14th-century parishioners attempting to perform their own Christmas mass after their pastor dies of the plague. This offbeat holiday tradition is completely immersive as audiences are tasked with helping these fools make the evening a success. It's a one-of-a-kind celebration of faith and folly, the joy of life and the inevitability of death featuring choral singing, slapstick and community.
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Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street near Pitt Street on the Lower East Side
Begins December 2. Closes December 24. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Usually, burlesque bigwigs Julie Atlas Muz and her husband Mat Fraser create jaw-dropping entertainment for the 21-and-over set. But for the holidays, this dazzling duo presents fabulous, family-friendly pantos—an interactive musical comedy genre popular in England during the Christmas season. Their last two pantos, a rollicking reinvention of Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Rivington & The Cat, were hits with critics and theatregoers alike. Expect radical joy, progressive politics, downtown divas and enchanting wackiness as they reinvent Sleeping Beauty for our woke era.
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Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street between Ninth and Dyer Avenues in Midtown West
Unfortunately, all performances have been canceled.
Legendary drag queen Lady Bunny—renowned for Wigstock, her outrageous stage performances and her sassy judging on RuPaul's Drag U—puts a sparkly and snarky spin on Christmas with her brand-new solo show. In addition to her ribald parodies of more than two dozen holiday classics ("Rudolpho The Uncut Reindeer," "Santa Claus Is Spreading Covid Around," etc.), she'll share her naughty take on "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and her uncensored and humorous thoughts on our messy world. Warning: the only thing bigger than Lady Bunny's hair is her mouth. Note: There is a $25 food-drink minimum in addition to the ticket price.
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The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue at 32nd Street in Midtown West
Begins December 7. Closes December 28. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Cirque du Soleil's Christmas show centers on a young holiday hater named Isabella, who journeys to a fantastical land where she connects with characters from Clement Clarke Moore's iconic poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Although the story is slight, the evening is full of spectacle, including jaw-dropping acts and dazzling design that will leave you as wide-eyed as a kid on December 25.
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123 West 43rd Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue in Midtown West
Runs December 8-9.
Cabaret's most acclaimed kooks, the Tony-nominated lounge duo Kiki & Herb (the alter egos of Justin Vivian Bond and Kenny Mellman), reunite for a hell of a holiday concert. If you cherish irreverence, prepare to laugh your tuchus off as these "octogenarian" icons deliver unexpected takes on seasonal classics and heaps of cultural satire.
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Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42nd Street between Ninth and Dyer Avenues in Midtown West
Begins December 8. Closes December 23.
In this X-rated take on Charles Dickens' classic, Scrooge is a greedy burlesque producer visited by striptease specters of the past, present and future, who show her how to get into the holiday spirit and out of all those clothes. Jonny Porkpie wrote, directs and costars in this filthy fun alongside neo-burlesque favorites Gal Friday, Tigger! and Jo Weldon. Note: There is a $25 food-drink minimum in addition to the ticket price.
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Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Avenue South in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Corona, Queens
Begins December 15. Closes December 23. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Another riff on Charles Dicken's Christmas staple, Titan Theatre Company's holiday show puts Scrooge's deceased business partner in the spotlight. Condemned to hell and tormented by a malevolent gremlin, Marley realizes he has just one chance at freedom: he must help Scrooge realize the error of his ways. A moving take on an old tale showing how one man's change of heart can impact us all.
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La MaMa's The Club, 74A East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenue in the East Village
Runs December 16-17.
Veteran performer, La MaMa programmer and downtown community builder, Nicky Paraiso, is gathering some of his favorite artists for this eclectic celebration devoted to joy and healing during this challenging time. Details are scarce, but Paraiso is a charming host who knows many very talented people!
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123 West 43rd Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue in Midtown West
Runs December 18-19
Writer Neil Gaiman, beloved for The Sandman, Good Omens, Coraline and other amusingly macabre tales, gives us a Gothy take on Charles Dickens in his one-man A Christmas Carol. He originally channeled the Victorian author for a one-night-only performance at the New York Public Library 10 years ago. The audio recording of that reading was such a smash that he's doing it again. For fans of these literary legends, it's a holiday gift!
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Raven Snook is the Editor of TDF Stages. Follow her on Facebook at @Raven.Snook. Follow TDF on Facebook at @TDFNYC.
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