The holiday season in New York City has a heartbeat. It has echoed through Midtown Manhattan since 1933. This year, that heartbeat is louder and more vibrant than ever. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes returns to Radio City Music Hall from November 4, 2026, through January 4, 2027, and it promises to be the most ambitious production in the show’s entire 93-year history. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong fan, this is the complete guide you need before you go.
Dates and Show Schedule
The 2026 season opens on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and runs all the way through Sunday, January 4, 2027. That is a two-month stretch of holiday magic right in the heart of New York City.
This year’s season includes 230 total performances. That is the largest number of shows ever staged at Radio City Music Hall since the production first debuted in 1933. The jump in performances is a direct response to overwhelming demand from the 2025 season, which sold out repeatedly and drew enormous crowds.
In terms of daily scheduling, show times vary by week and by day. Early in November, expect one or two performances per day. As the season progresses deeper into December, multiple shows per day become standard. On peak days around Christmas week, you may find three or even four performances running back to back. Typical show times include morning slots at 11:00 AM, afternoon performances at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and evening shows at 7:00 PM. Additionally, weekend schedules during peak holiday weeks are especially full.
Therefore, planning your visit early is strongly recommended. Popular dates around Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas Eve, and the days immediately following Christmas tend to sell out faster than any other point in the season. If you have flexibility, weekday performances in early to mid-November typically offer more availability and a calmer experience.
Venue: Radio City Music Hall
Every performance takes place at Radio City Music Hall, located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, also known as 6th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
Radio City Music Hall is one of the most iconic performance venues in the world. It opened in 1932 and quickly became a landmark of American entertainment. The building is a stunning example of Art Deco architecture, with soaring ceilings, breathtaking interior design, and a grand auditorium that seats nearly 6,000 people.
Getting there is simple. The venue is conveniently located near the Rockefeller Center subway station, served by the B, D, F, and M train lines. It is also a short walk from Times Square and the heart of Midtown. Taxis, rideshares, and public buses are all easy options for reaching the hall from any part of the city.
For visitors traveling from outside New York, the venue sits within easy distance of Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. Additionally, many nearby hotels are within walking distance, making it straightforward to build a full holiday day trip around the show.
What Is New for 2026
The 2026 production is not simply a repeat of past seasons. This year brings meaningful additions that make it the most expansive version of the show in its history.
The biggest new addition is a brand-new Rockettes dance number. With this addition, audiences will now enjoy ten separate Rockettes scenes throughout the performance. The new scene is designed to highlight the dancers’ versatility while honoring the foundational dance traditions that have defined the company for a century. It builds on styles including ballet, jazz, and tap, as well as contemporary and modern movement.
The second major change involves new immersive technology. The 2025 season introduced Radio City’s Sphere Immersive Sound system, which uses next-generation 3D audio beamforming and wave field synthesis to deliver crystal-clear, spatially precise sound to every seat in the venue, regardless of where an audience member is seated. The 2026 season builds on that foundation with new visual technology that will allow audiences to see the Rockettes’ precision choreography from perspectives never possible before. This means closer views, more varied angles, and a deeper sense of immersion throughout the show.
These technological upgrades build on years of innovation. Recent seasons have already incorporated expansive digital projections, holographic effects, and even fairy drones flying over the audience. The 2026 production takes all of that further.
The Show: What to Expect Inside
The Christmas Spectacular runs approximately 90 minutes and does not include an intermission. That means a continuous, seamlessly paced experience from the moment the curtain rises to the final bow.
The show weaves together beloved classic scenes with fresh choreography and spectacular staging. Audiences can expect to see fan favorites that have become traditions in their own right, including:
- Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
- New York at Christmas
- 12 Days of Christmas
- Dance of the Frost Fairies
- The Living Nativity
- Santa’s Journey Around the World
Each number is performed with the signature precision that defines the Rockettes. Every movement is synchronized to a degree that simply has to be seen to be believed. The ensemble cast includes a large company of singers, dancers, and live actors who bring each scene to life on the Great Stage.
The production also features spectacular set pieces. Enormous scenic backdrops, elaborate costumes, and lighting effects transform the stage into a series of wintry worlds. The combination of live performance, cutting-edge technology, and pure theatrical scale makes this unlike anything else happening in New York during the holiday season.
Since its debut in 1933, the show has welcomed more than 73 million guests from around the world. That legacy is felt in every moment of the performance.
Tickets: Prices, Where to Buy, and Tips
Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now. The best place to purchase is directly through the official website at rockettes.com/christmas or through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner.
Prices start at $50 when purchased in person at the Radio City Music Hall box office. When purchased online, tickets start at $55, which includes a service charge of $5. From there, pricing varies depending on the date, time of day, and seat location. Premium seats and peak dates can reach well above $200 per ticket. However, there are ways to find better value without sacrificing a great experience.
Weekday matinees, particularly in early to mid-November, often represent the best combination of ticket price and show quality. The production is identical regardless of which performance you attend, so an early November Tuesday afternoon is the same spectacular show as Christmas Eve, but with smaller crowds and lower prices.
For group bookings, discounts are available for parties of nine or more. Group sales have separate contact channels through the official Rockettes website and are a popular option for schools, corporate outings, and large family gatherings.
To avoid additional fees and markups, buying tickets in person at the Radio City Music Hall box office is a strong option. The box office is located at the venue on 6th Avenue and is open during regular business hours. Purchasing at any official MSG venue box office also avoids online service charges.
It is worth avoiding third-party resale platforms where possible, as prices on the secondary market for peak dates can be significantly higher than face value. Always verify that you are buying from an authorized seller before completing any purchase.
Seating Guide: Choosing the Right Spot
Radio City Music Hall seats nearly 6,000 people across a main orchestra level and several mezzanine tiers. Each area offers a distinct experience, and understanding the differences can help you choose the right seats for your group.
The orchestra level provides the closest physical proximity to the stage. Front orchestra seats put you right in the action, with an up-close view of the dancers and the detailed production design. However, very front-row seats can mean looking upward at the stage, which some visitors find less comfortable for a 90-minute show.
Mid-orchestra seats are widely considered the best overall value. They offer a full view of the stage, an excellent sightline for the choreography, and the full impact of the sound system and visual effects.
The first mezzanine is a popular choice for families with children. The elevated angle gives a wonderful overview of the precision formations that define the Rockettes’ style. You can see the full geometric patterns of the famous kicklines from this vantage point in a way that floor-level seats do not always reveal.
Higher mezzanine tiers offer more affordable price points and can still deliver a thrilling view of the large-scale production. The new Sphere Immersive Sound system ensures that audio quality remains consistently excellent throughout the entire hall, so no seat is ever left out of the sonic experience.
Additionally, Radio City Music Hall is fully accessible. Wheelchair-accessible seating, assistive listening devices, and accessible entrances are available throughout the venue. The official website and box office can help with specific accessibility requests at the time of booking.
Planning Your Visit: Practical Tips
A little planning goes a long way when attending a show of this scale, particularly during the busy holiday season in New York City.
Arrive early. The venue is large, and the lobby experiences significant foot traffic before each performance. Arriving 30 to 45 minutes ahead of your showtime gives you time to find your seats, visit the concession areas, and take in the stunning interior of the building itself, which is worth seeing on its own terms.
The area around Radio City Music Hall is filled with holiday attractions during this time of year. Rockefeller Center and its famous Christmas tree are right next door. The ice skating rink at Rockefeller Plaza is nearby. Fifth Avenue holiday windows are just a short walk away. Therefore, building a full day around the show is very easy to do.
Dress comfortably and warmly. New York in November and December can be cold, and you may be spending time outdoors before and after the performance. The venue itself is heated, but wearing layers is always a sensible choice.
Photography policies should be reviewed in advance. Generally, flash photography and video recording are not permitted during the performance.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
Founded in 1925, the Radio City Rockettes are the longest-running precision dance company in America. Each year, the Rockettes rehearse for an intensive 216 hours over six weeks before opening night, preparing to deliver flawless performances night after night across a packed season.
The 2025 season was a landmark moment. It celebrated the Rockettes’ 100th anniversary and drew more than 1.2 million audience members from all 50 states and 125 countries. That made it the highest-attended season in 25 years. The 2026 production steps directly into that momentum, building on everything the centennial season achieved and going further in every direction.
This is not simply a holiday show. It is a living piece of American performance history, performed live for tens of thousands of people at one of the world’s greatest entertainment venues.
Conclusion
The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes 2026 is the biggest, most exciting, and most technologically advanced version of the show ever produced. Running from November 4, 2026, through January 4, 2027, at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan, the season features 230 performances, more than any year since 1933. Ten Rockettes numbers, including a brand-new scene, take the stage alongside new immersive visual technology that brings audiences closer to the precision choreography than ever before. Tickets start at $50 and are available through rockettes.com and Ticketmaster, with the best value found on weekday matinees in early November. Whether you are planning a family trip, a holiday outing, or your very first visit to Radio City Music Hall, this is the season to go. Book your seats early, plan your day around the magic of Rockefeller Center, and prepare to experience the holiday tradition that has captivated more than 73 million people around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Christmas Spectacular 2026 start and end?
The show runs from November 4, 2026, through January 4, 2027, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. It features 230 total performances across those two months, the most ever scheduled since the show’s 1933 debut.
How long is the Christmas Spectacular and is there an intermission?
The show runs approximately 90 minutes and does not include an intermission. It is a continuous performance from start to finish, which makes it well-suited for families with younger children.
Where can I buy tickets and how much do they cost?
Tickets are on sale now at rockettes.com/christmas and through Ticketmaster. Prices start at $50 when purchased in person at the Radio City Music Hall box office, or $55 online including a service fee. Pricing varies based on date, time, and seat location.
What is new about the 2026 production?
The 2026 season introduces a brand-new Rockettes dance number, bringing the total to ten numbers in each performance. It also features new immersive visual technology that offers audiences closer and more varied perspectives on the Rockettes’ precision choreography, building on innovations including Sphere Immersive Sound, digital projections, holograms, and fairy drones from recent seasons.
Is the show suitable for children and families?
Yes, the show is designed with families in mind and is appropriate for all ages. The combination of dazzling costumes, grand set pieces, beloved holiday scenes, and the energy of the Rockettes makes it a memorable experience for children and adults alike. Many families return year after year as part of their annual holiday tradition.
