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Kinjaz dance crew in Cirque du Soleil's 'Twas the Night Before... Photo by Kyle Flubacker, MSG Entertainment.
Catch Cirque du Soleil, 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 16 seasonal productions for different types of audiences, so whether you're with the kids, out on a date or want Xmas-rated thrills, there's a production for you. For even more options, browse the holiday listings on TDF's Show Finder.
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 shows on Broadway and beyond.
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Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Avenue at 50th Street in Midtown West
Begins November 6. Closes January 5, 2026. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account and search for Rockettes to puchase discount tickets.
Although Santa, the Three Kings, the baby Jesus, a camel and lots of local landmarks put in appearances, this extravaganza is all about The Rockettes, who turn 100 this season! Their stunning synchronized dance numbers, like the awesome "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Dance of the Frost Fairies," are truly thrilling. 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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Under the Big Top at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, 62nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues in Lincoln Square
Begins November 7. Closes January 4, 2026.
Marveling at the jaw-dropping acts in the Big Apple Circus is a beloved holiday tradition. The troupe has been pitching its tent at Lincoln Center for almost a half century, and has survived bankruptcy, a pandemic and aesthetic overhauls. With new producers behind the brand, this year's edition features a fresh lineup, including the athletic Kung Fu Boys, the limber Bone Breakers, awesome aerialists The Flying Maluendas and the animal antics of Olate Dogs.
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Théâtre XIV, 383 Troutman Street between Wyckoff and Irving Avenues in Bushwick, Brooklyn
Begins November 13. Closes January 31, 2026. 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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Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues in Midtown West
Previews begin November 17. Opens November 25. Closes December 14. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
To many, January 6 is a date of infamy. But to Latine Christians, it's Three Kings Day, which commemorates the trio's visit to the baby Jesus. Playwright-performer Iraisa Ann Reilly reclaims the date in her story-and-song-filled solo show A Bodega Princess Remembers La Fiesta De Los Reyes Magos, 1998, a recreation of a Three Kings Day celebration in New Jersey that changed the trajectory of her life. Come prepared to dance and nosh on a traditional holiday treat!
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Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton Street at the intersection of Vesey and Greenwich Streets in the Financial District
Previews begin November 23. Opens December 4. Closes January 4, 2026. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Previously seen on Broadway in 2019, the Old Vic's delightful stage adaptation of Dickens' seasonal ghost story returns to NYC for the holidays. With a script by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) that pumps up the politics and inventive direction by Matthew Warchus, who turns the production into a song-and-snack-filled affair, this Christmas Carol stars two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris as Ebenezer Scrooge alongside Tony nominees Julia Knitel, Nancy Opel and Crystal Lucas-Perry.
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Merchant's House Museum, 29 East 4th Street between the Bowery and Lafayette Street in the East Village
Begins November 25. Closes December 27.
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 his day. Can't make it in person? No need to "bah, humbug," you can watch a recording online at home.
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Irish Repertory Theatre, 132 West 22nd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Chelsea
Previews begin December 3. Opens December 7. Closes December 31. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
Irish Rep revives its radio play reimagining of It's a Wonderful Life. It's December 24, 1946 and the intrepid players at W.I.R.T. are bringing Frank Capra's classic movie to life through acting and Foley effects. Adapted by Anthony E. Palermo and directed by Charlotte Moore, this uplifting tale of a depressed man who realizes his value with the help of his guardian angel is even more moving in person.
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The Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Avenue between Tilden Avenue and Duryea Place
December 4.
Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme may have become famous on RuPaul's Drag Race, but they're legit stage stars. BenDeLaCreme's solo shows include Ready to Be Committed and Terminally Delightful while Monsoon has earned raves for her comedic turns in Little Shop of Horrors, Pirates! The Penzance Musical and Oh, Mary!, which she returns to in January. But for the holidays, these two funny and fabulous BFFs are touring the country in their annual seasonal extravaganza, which comes to Brooklyn for one outrageous evening of sassy songs and stories and over-the-top costumes and antics.
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The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue at 32nd Street in Midtown West
Begins December 4. Closes December 28. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account and search for Twas the Night to Before puchase 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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New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in Midtown West
Begins December 5. Closes December 28. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.
NYC's premier family theatre, the New Victory, presents a seasonal offering from Australia's Circus Oz, a venerable multigenerational troupe featuring performers born across six decades! Fast-paced and only 75 minutes with no intermission, Merry Mayhem is a savvy circus choice for tots, who may have trouble sitting through longer shows. Marvel at amazing aerialists and acrobats as they fly and flip to the beat a live rock band.
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Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street near Astor Place in the East Village
Begins December 10. Closes December 21.
During the holidays, Joe's Pub at The Public Theater hosts lots of wild and wonderful seasonal entertainment, including Sandra Bernhard's annual end-of-the-year residency. But our pick is Crushed Ice! by trailblazing artist and activist Justin Vivian Bond, whose motto is "glamor is resistance." In 75 glorious minutes of unexpected seasonal songs and pithy insights about what we're all living through, they look to the Ghost of Christmas Future to help us collectively manifest a happier tomorrow.
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Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets in the East Village
Begins December 11. Closes December 14.
For more than 60 years, Bread & Puppet Theater has been fusing politics with performance for its circus-and-puppet-filled spectacles. This season the troupe is remounting its radical take on The Christmas Story with pregnant Mary and Joseph denied a motel room while 1 percenters deny Jesus and King Herod guards his wealth. Originally created in 1962, this play was performed every Christmas through the mid-1980s and this revival was made possible thanks to archival video and interviews with former cast members. It certainly feels more relevant than ever as the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to grow. In keeping with its message, the company promises no one will be turned away due to lack of funds! Bonus: Sourdough rye bread with aioli will be served.
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Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street between Sixth Avenue and Varick Street in Soho
Begins December 13. Closes December 21.
After Santa Claus suddenly dies, the North Pole is plunged into a deep freeze of depression. A spirited memorial is the only way forward! A group of celebrated downtown artists—including genius songwriter Andrew R. Butler, who also appeared on Broadway in Stereophonic—is behind this uplifting holiday pageant as four elves and a reindeer sing and dance their way through grief.
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Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, 150 West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in Lincoln Square
Previews begin December 16. Opens December 18. Closes January 4, 2026.
As usual, The Metropolitan Opera is mounting Julie Taymor's fantastical Magic Flute for the holidays. But for the first time, the institution is partnering with Lincoln Center Theater to present Amahl and the Night Visitors. Inspired by Hieronymus Bosch's painting "The Adoration of the Magi," Gian Carlo Menotti's one-act opera for children centers on an impoverished little boy with a disability whose encounter with the Three Kings changes his life. Tony winner Kenny Leon directs and celebrated soprano Joyce DiDonato stars. An ideal way to introduce kids to opera!
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The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue in Midtown West
December 19.
If you're in need of glitter, guffaws and radical joy, playwright-performer Taylor Mac's annual seasonal extravaganza Holiday Sauce delivers! The Pulitzer finalist and MacArthur genius and their longtime collaborators, jaw-dropping designer Machine Dazzle and brilliant music director Matt Ray, make the holidays great again with this tuneful celebration of fabulous chosen family.
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La MaMa's The Club, 74A East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenue in the East Village
December 22-23.
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 talented people!
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TDF MEMBERS: Go here to browse our latest discounts for dance, theatre and concerts.
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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