What to do in New York for the holidays
Discover holiday shows playing in New York, plus other festive attractions and restaurants to visit around the Theatre District.
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas, and in New York, gleaming theatre marquees reflect that joyful sensation. Seasonal productions typically run from late November through right after New Year’s Day, with tons more holiday attractions and dazzling displays of decorations within walking distance. Altogether, these spectacles make NYC one of the best places to spend the holidays.
Holiday events in NYC are a beloved part of Christmas, just like gazing into elaborately decorated store windows and visiting festive holiday trees. Festive productions tend to run on a special expanded schedule during the holidays, giving you more opportunities to see them.
Read more about Broadway show holiday schedules.
Check out can't-miss New York Christmas shows, festive restaurants, and seasonal attractions below to help you plan every part of a holly jolly holiday outing in the city.
Get tickets to New York shows at Christmas.
Christmas shows in New York City
Holiday plays, musicals, concerts, and spectaculars in New York are on stage from Thanksgiving until shortly after New Year’s Day, making it truly the happiest time of the year. Want to see an extravaganza like the Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes? An imaginative take on a beloved classic like A Christmas Carol or The Nutcracker? A seasonal comedy? New York theatre has your wish list covered. Read about some celebrated shows you can see for Christmas in New York in 2024.
Looking for more? Discover all the holiday shows in NYC to see this season.
Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes
Shows don’t come more iconic or family-friendly than this one, and that’s why this world-famous production has been celebrating the holiday season at Radio City Music Hall since 1933. From the high-kicking Rockettes to a high-flying 3D Santa to onstage camels to classic Christmas songs you’ll leave this storied venue humming, there’s something for everyone in this holiday chestnut.
Nutcracker Rouge
Company XIV sets its dial on sexy and combines burlesque, opera, and circus performances in this sensual, adults-only take on the ballet classic. Indulge in cocktails and champagne during this popular annual show at Théâtre XIV in Brooklyn.
Get Nutcracker Rouge tickets now.
Big Apple Circus
Bring the whole family to experience this annual NYC tradition under the blue big top. The 2024 theme is "Hometown Playground," with aerial, animal, clown, stunt, and trapeze acts paying homage to the city's five boroughs.
Get Big Apple Circus tickets now.
The Magic Flute
Don't think opera is for the family? Think again! All the grandeur of opera and all the fun of a fairytale — plus spectacular puppetry — are wrapped up in Mozart's The Magic Flute, performed in English and abridged to just 2 hours.
Want to make a whole day out of entertainment in Lincoln Center? Catch The Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera and another classic, New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker, at the David H. Koch Theater in the same plaza.
Get The Magic Flute tickets now.
Holiday attractions in New York
There’s a show on every corner in New York, and from late November until early January, every inch of the city is decked out for the holidays. Before, after, and between Broadway shows, there are lots of must-see seasonal delights to enjoy just a short stroll from the Theatre District. Bring your hat, gloves, and holiday spirit to these famous annual events.
Seen them all? Discover more bucket-list holiday attractions across New York City.
Ice skating in New York
NYC wintertime experiences don’t get cooler than ice skating, and there’s not a more joyous place to lace up than The Rink at Rockefeller Center. Yes, there are wait times. But gliding along under the watchful gaze of a gilded mythic Prometheus, who’s cast in bronze, adds one-of-a-kind theatrical drama. Wollman Rink in Central Park and the Winter Village at Bryant Park offer ice skating, too.
Address: Rockefeller Center, B/D/F/M subway lines to 47-50th Sts.
Nearby theatres: Radio City Music Hall, Belasco Theatre
Hours: Opens 9 a.m.
See the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
Gazing in wonder at this majestic holiday evergreen decked out in all its glory is a beloved NYC traditior for visitors and locals. Ice skate right beneath it, or snap a photo of the tree and go on to shop in Rockefeller Center or along Fifth Avenue.
Address: Rockefeller Center, B/D/F/M subway lines to 47-50th Sts.
Nearby theatres: Radio City Music Hall, Belasco Theatre
Walk around the Bryant Park Winter Village
This outdoor oasis beams small-town charm in the heart of the big city, and it’s made for Christmastime multitasking. Holiday shopping? Check – there are nearly 170 kiosks for treasures for everyone on your list. Ice skating? Check – you can hit the rink for an invigorating spin. Eating and drinking? Check — there’s a variety of places to dine and grab a cocktail or a piping hot chocolate.
If you find yourself a little further from the Theatre District, there are holiday markets in Columbus Circle, Grand Central, and Union Square, too.
Address: Bryant Park, B/D/F/M/7 at 42nd St.
Nearby theatres: Belasco Theatre, Stephen Sondheim Theatre
Hours: Open Mon.-Fri. At 11 a.m., Sat.-Sun. At 10 a.m.
Best Christmas restaurants in NYC
New York boasts numerous notable restaurants and bars, including long-timers and new hubs where you can dine and have drinks before and after a show. Even better, many are within walking distance of Broadway theatres, giving them a special spot on the nice list amid all the NYC hustle and bustle.
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment
The ornate 19th-century decor at this casual restaurant and bar serving traditional pub fare, beers, whiskeys, wines, and specialty cocktails goes all out at Christmastime with shiny garlands, evergreens, and more festive finery. You might feel like you’ve stepped back in time – or into an immersive Scrooge-free A Christmas Carol.
Address: 249 W. 49th St., near the 1/C/E lines at 50th St.
Nearby theatres: Circle in the Square Theatre, Eugene O’Neill Theatre
Marseille
This French brasserie has become a go-to gathering spot for pre- and post-theatre dining, along with breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. There’s also a oyster happy hour, perfect to enjoy with a glass of wine.
Address: 630 Ninth Ave., near the A/C/E lines at W. 42nd St.
Nearby theatres: St. James Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Broadhurst Theatre
Carmine’s
This easygoing favorite serves an A to Z (antipasti to zuppa di clams) of Italian dishes in hearty, family-style portions. Caring and sharing is what the Christmas season is about, making Carmine's perfect for a family-friendly Christmas dinner.
Address: 244 W. 44th St., near the A/C/E subway lines at 42nd St.
Nearby theatres: Lyceum Theatre, Minskoff Theatre, Stephen Sondheim Theatre
Frosty's Christmas Bar at Bacall's
Every holiday season, a section of the renowned restaurant Bacall's transforms into Frosty's, which serves up festive cocktails in a decked-out space. Tickets are required for entry and advance reservations are recommended — unless a Christmas miracle happens and you snag a walk-up ticket!
Address: 220 W. 44th St., near 1/2/3/A/C/E/7 subway lines at 42nd St.
Nearby theatres: Lyric Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Broadhurst Theatre, Todd Haimes Theatre, Hayes Theater, St. James Theatre, Shubert Theatre, Nederlander Theatre, New Amsterdam Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Brazen Tavern
This bar and restaurant decks its halls with plenty of festive decor every Christmas season, plus seasonal cocktails like a "holly jolly" mule and peppermint espresso martini. For an extra dose of coziness, try to snag a seat in the back room, lined with couches and a fireplace.
Address: 356 W. 44th St., near 1/2/3/A/C/E/7 subway lines at 42nd St.
Nearby theatres: Lyric Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Broadhurst Theatre, Todd Haimes Theatre, Hayes Theater, St. James Theatre, Shubert Theatre, Nederlander Theatre, New Amsterdam Theatre, Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Cafe Luxembourg
At this charming French bistro, holiday wreaths and greens combine with a gleaming bar and glowing lighting as flattering as a Broadway star’s dressing room. The decor all combines to perfectly set the scene for cocktails and conversation.
Address: 200 W. 70th St., near 1/2/3 subway lines at W. 72nd St.
Nearby theatres: Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Opera
Visit New York at Christmas
Christmas in New York brings a festive flurry of shows to Broadway and theatres around the city with new stories and beloved classics to tell. Along with other seasonal happenings all around the city, enjoying holiday theatre in New York is an experience that’s like a gift that keeps on giving. Holiday shows fill up fast, so get tickets now to be sure you don’t miss out.
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