From Thanksgiving until New Year's, New York City is a holiday lover's paradise. In addition to the famous displays that take over Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, the Big Apple becomes a hub for holiday shows, from Brooklyn's Dyker Heights to Carnegie Hall. You can catch a festive musical, a thought-provoking play, a world-class ballet, or a train show—whatever you prefer. New York City brings holiday joy to visitors and residents alike with seasonal shows all over town.
Holiday Train Show
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is an annual tradition. Featuring model trains and more than 150 replicas of New York City landmarks—including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center—the Holiday Train Show is equal parts nostalgic and festive. Being held indoors, it also makes for a nice break from the cold.
Messiah Sing and Caroling Walk
The West Village Chorale hosts its annual Handel's Messiah Sing, Village Noel, and Caroling Walk in mid-December. The walk begins and ends at Judson Memorial Church, located at 55 Washington Square South (at Thompson Street).
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Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
It may be crowded, but witnessing the moment when New York City's colossal spruce is illuminated is simply priceless. The free tree lighting ceremony is open to the public and includes live performances by big-name musicians like Kelly Clarkson, Dolly Parton, and others in the past. After that, the tree remains on display until early January.
"A Christmas Carol" at The Merchant's House
This one-man production of Charles Dickens' iconic Christmas tale is a moving, intimate experience. An audience of just 40 people sits in the parlor of the historic Merchant's House while the talented Kevin John Jones plays 20 different characters over the course of the one-hour production.
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Oratorio Society of New York's Messiah Concert
An annual tradition since 1874, the Oratorio Society performs Handel's Messiah with a 200-voice chorus, soloists, and orchestra at the iconic Carnegie Hall.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is one of the most well-known holiday shows in the city. See the Rockettes clad in wooden soldier costumes doing their famous high kicks while Santa goes flying through the sky. You can even opt to watch the iconic performance through a pair of 3-D glasses for something extra special.
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The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet
The New York City Ballet continues its annual tradition of performing George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" at Lincoln Center every December. Matinees are extremely popular and tickets go quickly, so plan accordingly. About 90 dancers, 60 musicians, 30 stagehands, and two casts of 50 young students make each performance as magical as possible.
The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall
The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the country. It's unique in that it's the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in pop music. The group's annual holiday celebration at Carnegie Hall is interdenominational and features many a widely adored tune with which to sing along.
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"A Christmas Carol" Musical at The Players Theatre
Enjoy this annual musical adaptation of the Dickens classic, dubbed "Scrooge in the Village," at The Players Theatre in the West Village. The familiar holiday tale about the joy of community triumphing over selfishness is presented via a fresh musical by Sgouros and Bell. This production features an updated, British pantomime-inspired scenic design.
Holiday Events at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine hosts a variety of musical and religious events throughout the month, including Advent services, the Cathedral Christmas Concert, children's workshops, and the anticipated Peace Tree.
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Christmas Events at the Riverside Church
The Candlelight Carol Festival and production of Handel's Messiah are among Riverside Church's festive performances. It combines carillon, organ, harp, and all of the church choirs in a rousing musical celebration.
Dyker Lights
Whether you head to Dyker Heights by yourself or with a tour, the unbelievable holiday light displays on residential houses in the middle of Brooklyn are a show of their own.
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Each year, more than 100,000 people flock to the Brooklyn neighborhood to witness some of the most over-the-top Christmas lights, huge inflatable Santas and snowmen, and neighbors blasting Christmas carols from loudspeakers, making for a huge holiday-themed block party.