In New York, Christmas arrives early: on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Christmas Spectacular returns, the show that every year transforms the Radio City Music Hall into one of the city’s most magical places. Starring, of course, are the famous Radio City Rockettes, world-renowned for their perfectly synchronized choreography. With their legs rising in unison to the beat, they are one of the most recognizable dance troupes of all, and their holiday show is a true must for anyone visiting New York City during this season.
The 2026 edition, scheduled from November 4, 2026 to January 4, 2027, promises to be especially packed: as many as 230 performances are planned, the highest number in the show’s history. Not only that, a new choreography will also be introduced, along with immersive technologies that will allow audiences to admire the dancers from completely new perspectives.
What’s New in the 2026 Christmas Spectacular
After celebrating the 100th anniversary of their founding in 2025, the Rockettes usher in a new century of history with an edition that blends tradition and innovation.
The main new feature is Ring, a new contemporary tap number set to Carol of the Bells (the famous Christmas carol also featured in the soundtrack of “Home Alone”), created in collaboration with choreographer Chloé Arnold.
The choreography begins with three dancers in silhouette and gradually brings in the others, until it brings together 36 Rockettes on stage for a spectacular finale sequence. The costumes were also specially made: black and silver outfits embellished with more than 3,600 crystals. With this addition, the Christmas Spectacular reaches ten numbers performed by the Rockettes, the most in the production’s history.
However, perhaps the most surprising new feature concerns the technology. For the first time, cameras positioned around the stage will be used to capture the choreography from above, from the sides, and from the front. The footage will be projected in real time on two large screens on either side of the stage, allowing audience members to discover details and movement patterns that are normally difficult to see. The whole experience will be accompanied by the immersive audio system Sphere Immersive Sound, introduced in 2025.
Dates, duration and ticket prices
The Christmas Spectacular 2026 will run from November 4, 2026 to January 4, 2027, with multiple performances per day on many dates. Each performance lasts about 90 minutes with no intermission, a runtime that also makes the show suitable for families with children.
The venue is still the historic Radio City Music Hall, at 1260 Sixth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets, just a few steps from Rockefeller Center. Ticket prices vary depending on the date, showtime, and seating section. Children under two get in free, as long as they sit on an adult’s lap without taking up a seat.
Where to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased on this page, and it’s best to book a little in advance, because the closer it gets to Christmas, the more prices rise and the more seats sell out.
Find Tickets for the Christmas Spectacular
A show that tells the story of Christmas in New York since 1933
The debut of the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall dates back to as far as 1933, and since then it has become an unmissable event for generations of Americans, as well as for tourists visiting the city during the Christmas season. The show combines dance, music, monumental sets, special effects, and holiday atmosphere. The Rockettes are known for the precision of their dancing, from the parade of the wooden soldiers to the famous “kickline”: the moment when, all in a row, they raise their legs in perfect coordination, kicking into the air with incredible synchronicity.
Among the most famous moments are the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, with the dancers moving like toy soldiers, and New York at Christmas, a tribute to the city decked out for the holidays, as well as many other traditional numbers. Despite the many years the show has been running, its success continues to grow: according to figures released by the organizer, the 2025 edition drew more than 1.2 million spectators, posting the highest attendance in the past 25 years.
It can safely be said that the Christmas Spectacular is an opportunity to experience one of the city’s most distinctive traditions. In addition, the Radio City Music Hall’s location makes it easy to pair the show with a walk through Rockefeller Center, where during the Christmas season you’ll find the famous lit Christmas tree and the ice-skating rink.
