One of New York's most iconic holiday shows, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has been celebrating the season for more than 90 years. The Rockettes, now celebrating their 100th anniversary, perform in their signature precision dancing style as reindeer, Santa Clauses, tourists, and, in perhaps the most famous number, toy soldiers.

Whether you've never seen the Spectacular or go every year, this NYC holiday tradition is sure to get you in the spirit with both classic Christmas tunes and jaw-dropping, high-tech design.

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After winning five Tony Awards for its 2019 Broadway debut, Jack Thorne and Matthew Warchus's adaptation of A Christmas Carol returns to New York in 2025. This stunningly designed production of Charles Dickens's classic tale stars Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris as miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who's visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve urging him to find the holiday spirit before it's too late.

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This holiday season, the Muppets are making their Broadway debut alongside world-famous illusionist Rob Lake in a special NYC event. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and more will team up with Lake for an all-ages show blending comedy, magic, and cheer from October to January only.

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This is one holiday special that's just for the adults. Nutcracker Rouge is a sexy take on the classic tale of The Nutcracker, performed by Company XIV. The company has performed Nutcracker Rouge to acclaim since 2013, and the show includes a mix of burlesque, opera, and circus entertainment in its reimagining of Marie-Claire, the Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and more. Audiences are immersed into the sensual side of the Land of Sweets, and the experience includes cocktails, champagne, and treats.

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The Magic Flute returns as The Metropolitan Opera's special holiday presentation for families. See the story of a noble prince, equipped with a flute that can charm anyone, as he goes on a quest to save a princess. At just an hour long, performed in English, and filled with plenty of whimsical stagecraft, this musical fairytale will charm audiences of every age.

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The Big Apple Circus isn't holiday-themed, but it's a beloved NYC holiday tradition. The iconic blue Big Top pops up in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park every year, and under it is a family-friendly spectacle of acrobats, stuntpeople, clowns, animals, and so much more. This year's circus features America’s Got Talent winners the Olate Family alongside a host of talent from all over the world.

Check back for information on Big Apple Circus tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

New York City Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker is a beloved holiday tradition. With gorgeous dancing, colorful costumes, special effects, and a massive Christmas tree, this family-friendly ballet takes audiences on an adventure to the Land of Sweets alongside young Clara and her Nutcracker prince. The Nutcracker is one of the best-known holiday shows for a reason — after decades, the magic remains, and this production is an NYC bucket-list item.