Holiday Shows and New Year's Eve in New York 2026
December in New York is all about holiday shows — some of them annual traditions that sell out every year. Here are the festive events currently on Wiwo, with what each one actually includes.
The classics
- Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes — Fri, Dec 25, 10:00 PM · Radio City Music Hall
- Good for families: children under 24 months can attend without a ticket, sitting on an adult's lap.
- Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet — Sat, Dec 5, 3:00 PM · United Palace
- A Saturday matinee at the grand United Palace in Washington Heights (Broadway at 175th St).
- The Harlem Gospel Choir — Christmas Eve Show — Thu, Dec 24, 8:00 PM · Sony Hall
- A Christmas Eve gospel show in the Theater District.
Holiday concerts with a tradition behind them
- Manhattan for the Holidays: Wainwrights Return! — Sun, Dec 6, 7:00 PM · Town Hall
- Rufus and Martha Wainwright's annual holiday benefit concert, carrying on the McGarrigle–Wainwright family holiday shows. Listed special guests include Cyndi Lauper.
- Ingrid Michaelson's 20th Annual Holiday Hop — Thu, Dec 3, 8:00 PM · Webster Hall
- Twenty years running; ages 16+.
- We Love the Winter Weather: Songs of the Season — Mon, Dec 14, 7:00 PM · Birdland Jazz Club
- The fourth annual holiday show from cabaret favorites KT Sullivan, Jeff Harnar, Stacy Sullivan and Todd Murray, with pianist Jon Weber.
- Stella Cole & The Sinfonietta: Merry Christmas Darling — Mon, Dec 21, 7:00 PM · Town Hall
- One night only: the Great American Songbook and carols, with The Sinfonietta, an all-women orchestra.
- Ana Gasteyer's Sugar & Booze Holiday Spectacular — Fri, Dec 4, 8:00 PM · Town Hall
- Lady A: This Winter's Night Tour — Thu, Dec 17, 8:00 PM · Beacon Theatre
- All-in pricing at the Beacon: fees are included.
Hanukkah
- The 8 Nights of Hanukkah with Yo La Tengo — Sat, Dec 5, 7:30 PM · Bowery Ballroom
- 18+, doors 7:30 PM, $50 in advance or $60 on the day.
- Elon Gold's Hanukkah Tour — Thu, Dec 10, 7:30 PM · Beacon Theatre
- Stand-up for the festival of lights.
Holiday comedy
- Matt Rogers: This Time It's *Really* Christmas — Sat, Dec 19, 8:00 PM · Bowery Ballroom
- 18+, doors 8 PM, $49.50 in advance / $55 on the day.
- Becky Robinson's Holiday Spectacular — Fri, Dec 18, 8:00 PM · Town Hall
- Alyssa Edwards — A Very Alyssa Christmas — Sat, Dec 19, 7:00 PM · Gramercy Theatre
Jazz for the holidays
- New York Holiday Swing with Svetlana — Sat, Dec 5, 1:30 PM · Blue Note Jazz Club
- A weekend jazz brunch; $20 minimum per person, first-come seating.
- Christmas with Champian Fulton — Fri, Dec 25, 5:30 PM · Birdland Jazz Club
- Christmas Day with a jazz pianist and singer who has released 18 albums as a leader.
New Year's Eve
- Birdland Big Band New Year's Eve with Emma Smith — Thu, Dec 31, 11:00 PM · Birdland Jazz Club
- Midnight with a big band, a special menu and a champagne toast.
- Marilyn Maye's New Year's Eve Extravaganza — Thu, Dec 31, 11:00 PM · Birdland Theater
- A cabaret legend who appeared on The Tonight Show 76 times.
- Ring In the New Year at Ellen's Stardust Diner — Thu, Dec 31, 7:00 PM · Ellen's Stardust Theater
- In Times Square with the famous singing waitstaff: the ticket includes a three-course meal and a champagne toast.
💡 Tip: Radio City Music Hall is a block from Rockefeller Center, so you can pair the Christmas Spectacular with the tree and the ice rink in one trip. Expect crowds around both in the evenings — a weekday visit is calmer.
Holiday shows are the first to sell out each year. Tap Remind me on the ones you like, and find everything else on the New York events page.