The Rockettes Celebrate a Classic Christmas with a Modern Twist

In this week leading up to Christmas, you may be looking for some order amidst the chaos. For those of you in New York City, or with plans to travel here soon, look no further for your fair share of holiday cheer than the pin-point precision and captivating razzle-dazzle of the Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes.

There are a lot of things to see and do this holiday season, from glancing at the window displays to ice skating under the tree at Rockefeller Center, and the Rockettes are a thrilling way to celebrate time-honored Christmas traditions, while leaving room to make new ones.

Featuring classic numbers such as the Parade of Toy Soldiers, the Rag Dolls, and Santa’s Workshop, as well as newer conceptions such as New York at Christmas, where the dancers traverse the greatest city on earth via a jam-packed sightseeing tour bus, the supremely talented and legendary dance troupe wows audiences once again with their scintillating display of holiday spirit. What makes the Rockettes so special, beyond their impeccable timing, outstanding uniformity, and bright-eyed charm, is the long history on which their beloved legacy lies.

Started in the 1920s in St. Louis before finding their forever-home in New York City, the Rockettes have become a staple of Christmastime in the Big Apple. Best known for their staccato kicklines that put the city’s skyscrapers to shame with their impressive heights, these extraordinary performers arrange themselves to form one single force moving in absolute unity, creating a visually appealing, endlessly entertaining, and incomparably enticing showcase of all Manhattan has to offer.

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They are supported by a cast of an incredible ensemble of singers and dancers, delighting the crowd with Christmas classics, including rousing renditions of choral music backed by a live band. The show-stopping Living Nativity scene rounds out the production with real-life animals on stage to deliver far more than the standard Christmas play, tugging at the heartstrings with both its storytelling magic as well as its biblical significance.

Beyond the characters of the original Christmas tale, the annual Radio City Musical Hall performance wouldn’t be complete without the guidance and leadership of none other than Santa Claus himself. Dawning our 3D glasses at his behest, we soar above the skyline of some of New York City’s most iconic landmarks in an inventive and immersive technological adventure.

Innovative excellence in the Rockettes’ 2023 Christmas Spectacular doesn’t stop there, though, with a modern twist on the fantastical ballet number, the Nutcracker. Choreographed with all ages in mind, these animated toys and swirling, twirling mice hold their own on the dance floor, especially one feather-boa-clad bear who brings elements of Harlem ballrooms and breakdancing to center stage, voguing and twerking much to the audience’s laughter and glee.

The Rockettes, Santa Claus, the ensemble cast members, and the orchestra infuse passion into each and every moment of the iconic Christmas Spectacular. From the second we take off on Santa’s sleigh, drawn by a full fleet of Rockettes dressed in reindeer apparel, to the glitz and glamor of the grand finale, the Radio City performers add a level of merry and bright to the experience, something anyone lucky enough to feel the joy of the season in the city won’t want to miss.

In case your holiday plans call for a visit to New York only after Christmas Day, fret not: the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular runs through Thursday, January 4th, 2024 for all those looking to catch a glimpse of their splendor before the season’s close. Whether you’re a local with a busy schedule or out-of-towners with a packed itinerary, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch the Radio City darlings, as they mount between two to five shows a day (phew!) to accommodate a variety of availability. But be aware, the prices do fluctuate depending on the time and date of the performances, so shop around to find the best deals. It’s a smaller venue, and a show with a huge production value, so there really are no bad seats.

Felicia Reich is an entertainment writer and culture reporter. She lives in Brooklyn with her complex first person perspective, collection of decorative pillows, and insatiable curiosity.