The holidays are fast approaching, so don’t wait to plan your visit to these popular festive performances happening soon in Lincoln Square!
Venture into a world of dancing snowflakes and toy soldiers with the New York City Ballet. The Nutcracker®, George Balanchine’s holiday classic, runs from Friday, November 28, to Saturday, January 3, with a Sensory-Friendly Performance on Sunday, January 4. For a variation on this theme, check out Spotlight: The New York Nutcracker, a cabaret parody taking place at 1887 Broadway (David Rubenstein Atrium) on Thursday, December 18. The Magic Flute, performed by The Metropolitan Opera, is another holiday tradition to savor. This English-language production of Mozart’s fairy tale runs from Thursday, December 11, to Saturday, January 3. Children and families can also join The Met Opera’s Holiday Open House, which takes place at 12:00pm on Sunday, December 14. The Open House is free to all ticket holders for the December 14 performance of The Magic Flute.
The New York Philharmonic and Jazz at Lincoln Center are getting into the spirit of the season with a host of holiday-themed shows beginning in December. Holidays with the NY Phil is a series of concerts, highlighted by Handel’s Messiah from Wednesday, December 10 to Saturday, December 13. On Sunday, December 7, the Holiday Jazz Jam, a fun, interactive show for families, will take place, starring Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop Family Jazz Band. There are many other holiday shows from a wide range of jazz luminaries throughout the month, including these special celebrations: A Very Irby Christmas featuring saxophonist and composer Sherman Irby on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24); and Dizzy’s New Year’s Eve with Carlos Henriquez Nonet, a bassist and composer, on Wednesday, December 31.
The thrills and excitement of the Big Apple Circus return to 155 West 62nd Street (Damrosch Park) on Friday, November 7. The shows under the big top run through Sunday, January 4, featuring a wide range of aerial, balancing, and comedy acts that delight kids and adults alike!
Celebrate the magic of the season in a way you’ve never seen before with Santa’s Secret, presented by Voss Events. In this immersive experience, you can explore a maze of twinkling holiday installations before uncovering a hidden bar and a jaw-dropping variety show featuring live music, burlesque, and festive cocktails. Tickets for this winter wonderland for adults (ages 21+) at The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle) are available from Thursday, November 13, to Wednesday, December 31. The Shops at Columbus Circle’s dazzling star shows are back beginning on Monday, November 10, at 5:00pm. These nightly shows, happening through Sunday, January 4, are part of the wide range of festive entertainment, shopping, and dining experiences at The Shops at Columbus Circle. There will be live music, activities for kids, a series of ceramic ornament painting workshops led by Color Me Mine, and more!
Just in time for holiday shopping, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market returns to Lincoln Square on Tuesday, December 2. Check off gifts for everyone on your list at the dozens of stalls selling art, jewelry, home goods, and delicious food from artisans and designers. The market is open from Monday to Friday from 11:00am to 8:00pm and from 10:00am to 8:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The market ends at 4:00pm on Wednesday, December 31. It is only closed on Thursday, December 25, for Christmas Day.
The Lincoln Square BID is also getting into the action with our Holidays in Lincoln Square series of free events! Our Magical Lights at Dante and Richard Tucker Parks are coming back, beginning with the Magical Lights Ceremony taking place on Thursday, December 4, at Dante Park, when we will light up Lincoln Square. On Wednesday, December 17, will be our 4th Annual WinteRamble—an illuminated community procession with the Frost Giant puppets from Processional Arts Workshop. The BID will also turn on the enhanced holiday lights in our ten Broadway Malls from West 60th to 70th Street and will be organizing other festive activities for the holiday season. Stay tuned for more exciting updates, but save the dates now!
Anticipation for these holiday events is already building—we hope to see you there!
Photo credit: Erin Baiano (New York City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®)
