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Annie: The Musical is one of the most anticipated holiday shows this Christmas season in NYC. Photo courtesy of MSG/by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now

1. Annie at Madison Square Garden – Midtown West

The limited showing of Annie at The Theater Madison Square Garden is one of most anticipated holiday performances of the year. The limited run plays only from Wednesday, December 4-Sunday, January 5, 2024. This extra-special holiday performance features Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Hannigan for performances beginning Wednesday, December 11. The quintessential story about family and belonging is a must-see for fans young and old.

2. The Nutcracker Ballet – Multiple Locations

This holiday classic is a must-watch for ballet fans young and old. The fun and colorful set and costumes make it a great introduction to the art form for young audiences. Each year, we update our roundup of the best Nutcracker ballets for kids. For a classic rendition, catch a showing of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center or the Grand Kyiv Ballet's version at Kings Theater. For a fresh new twist, you can opt for The Hard Nut at BAM. It's set against a 1970s backdrop and is entirely family-friendly.

3. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – Midtown West

The Christmas tradition, performed by the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, has been a beloved NYC holiday staple 1933. Insanely, the annual Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is still going strong after more than 90 and plays multiple shows per day all holiday season long. The beautifully choreographed show is full of dazzling lights and bright outfits, and is a sight to behold at least once.

4. Holiday Shows and Concerts – Multiple Locations

If you're not rocking the Rockettes this year or said "no" to The Nutcracker, NYC still has plenty of holiday shows. Craving a classic Christmas tale? You may enjoy the one-man performance of John Kevin Jones in A Christmas Carol at the Merchant's House. The Met Opera's adaptation of The Magic Flute is a timeless pick and has been translated to English and abridged to make it kid-friendly. Both the New York Philharmonic and The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall have timeless Christmas concerts catering to all ages.

RELATED: 49 Holiday Activities To Do in NYC Before Your Kids Grow Up

PaleyLand is a multi-level, pop-culture paradise of holiday happenings. Photo by Jess Laird

5. Multi-Cultural Holiday Celebrations and Festivals – Multiple Locations

Christmas isn't the only holiday that NYC celebrates in November and December. And while there are plenty of free or no-reservation-needed events to check out as a family, some special celebrations require thinking ahead. Visit Flushing Town Hall's 10th annual Diwali Festival, or stop by the five-floor celebration of PaleyLand at the Paley Center. The Jewish Museum celebrates the Festival of Lights with its annual Hanukkah Family Day on Sunday, December 15. 

6. The Holiday Train Show at NYBG – Bronx Park, the Bronx

The annual Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see. Even family members who aren't fascinated by trains will be captivated by the plant-based replicas of iconic NYC architecture. Special evening viewings are available as well, for a completely different look at the exhibit in a new light.

RELATED: Best Holiday Movies to Watch with Kids

See wild animals brought to life in lantern form at the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Photo by Jody Mercier

7. Holiday Light Shows

Don't miss the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights, where more than 400 lanterns highlighting nearly 100 species of animals and plants are laid out in winding paths highlighting species from Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, plus ocean life and an immersive Forest of Color and Enchanted Sea. You can also marvel at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Lightscape exhibit, which provides an enchanting evening experience that connects hundreds of sparkling lights with the surrounding nature. The brand-new Tiyanu Lights Festival promises to bring a luminous rainforest to Citi Field.

8. Outdoor Ice Skating – Multiple Locations

Winter will be upon us before you know it, which means it's time to break out those skates and hit the ice at these family-friendly ice skating rinks in NYC. The Rink at Rockefeller Center opens on Saturday, October 12, and tickets can be booked all the way through the end of year right now, so you can plan to glide under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Tickets to the rink at Bryant Park's Winter Village are also available to reserve right now, as are the event's cozy igloos for a rest between adventures.

9. Big Apple Circus – Lincoln Center

The Big Apple Circus brings Hometown Playgrounds to town from Friday, November 8-Sunday, January 5, 2024, and this year's theme celebrates NYC. Book your tickets now to watch amazing acrobatics, awesome stunts, and a healthy dose of comedy. The circus has nixed big animal performances, but it does promise "the cutest performing dogs ever"!

11. A Very Merry Knicks Christmas – Midtown West

Spend your Christmas at the Garden watching the Knicks play the Spurs. At the time of this writing, tickets aren't just on sale—they're already nearly sold out! It's a fun event for the whole family, but it's also the one on this list most likely to completely sell out first.

RELATED: Christmas Tree Farms near NYC

The over-the-top Dyker Lights are an only-in-NYC sight. Photo by Jody Mercier

12. Holiday Lights Tours – Multiple Locations

New York City glows with festive lights every Christmas, but a few neighborhoods have been known to go the extra mile when it comes to decor, for example, the Dyker Lights in Brooklyn! While it's fun to just walk around these on your own, there are also several tours you can take for a more guided ramble through the light displays. Book now to enjoy a Holiday Lights and Movie Sites tour with On Location Tours or the Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights with A Slice of Brooklyn bus tours.

13. Holiday Boat and Train Rides – Multiple Locations

Sometimes, it's all about the journey! The holiday-themed cruises by City Cruises offer visitors a chance to experience the city lights from a different perspective. Cruises include live entertainment and a festive menu and are fun for the whole family. If you'd rather keep your feet on solid ground, take a trip on one of these Polar Express trains near NYC, including the famous Essex North Pole Express, whose tickets sell out instantaneously.