New York City transforms during the holidays. The Rockefeller Center tree goes up, store windows turn into elaborate displays, and Times Square somehow gets even more chaotic. But for theater lovers, the real magic happens inside Broadway's 41 theaters, where some of the best productions in years are currently running.

Whether you're visiting New York for the holidays, treating yourself to a show, or looking for the perfect gift, this guide covers everything playing on Broadway right now—plus what's worth your time and money.

The Long-Running Essentials

These shows have earned their place as Broadway institutions. They're running for a reason.

Chicago

Ambassador Theatre | Running since 1996

The longest-running American musical in Broadway history (and second-longest overall after Phantom's closure) still delivers. The Kander and Ebb score is brilliant, the Bob Fosse choreography remains iconic, and the show's cynicism about celebrity, media manipulation, and the American justice system has only gotten more pointed with time.

Chicago runs lean—minimal sets, black costumes, the orchestra on stage—which means the performances and the material have to carry everything. They do.

The Ambassador is small (1,125 seats), creating an intimate atmosphere that suits the show's cabaret-style staging. This is also one of Broadway's more affordable long-running options.

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The Book of Mormon

Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Running since 2011

Trey Parker and Matt Stone's irreverent musical about Mormon missionaries in Uganda remains Broadway's most reliably funny show. If you're not easily offended—and we mean really not easily offended—the laughs are constant and cathartic.

The show's satire cuts in multiple directions: at organized religion, at American cultural imperialism, at musical theater conventions themselves. It's genuinely smart comedy dressed up as juvenile shock humor, or possibly the reverse.

Not for children. Not for anyone who can't laugh at their own beliefs. For everyone else, it's two and a half hours of comic brilliance.

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Lyric Theatre | Running since 2018

The eighth story in the Harry Potter saga was written specifically for the stage, and the theatrical magic on display rivals anything in the films. Without giving away how the effects are achieved, the production makes you believe in magic in a way that CGI never quite manages.

The story picks up 19 years after The Deathly Hallows, following Harry's son Albus and Draco Malfoy's son Scorpius. It's a story about fathers and sons, legacy and choice, and the difficulty of living up to famous parents.

Originally presented in two parts, the show is now a single production running about 3 hours and 30 minutes with intermission. The Lyric Theatre was extensively renovated specifically for this production.

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The Hot Tickets Right Now

These shows are generating the most buzz this season.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Marquis Theatre | Opened 2025

The Olivier Award-winning prequel to the Netflix phenomenon has arrived on Broadway with all its London production's stunning special effects intact. Set in 1959 Hawkins, the show explores the origins of the Upside Down through the story of a young Jim Hopper, Joyce Byers, and the mysterious Henry Creel.

If you're a fan of the series, this expands the mythology significantly while working as standalone theater. If you're not familiar with Stranger Things, the production still delivers as supernatural thriller theater with remarkable staging.

The effects—and there are many—are genuinely impressive. This is the kind of show that reminds you what live theater can do that screens can't.

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The Outsiders

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre | Opened 2024

Based on S.E. Hinton's classic novel (and the Francis Ford Coppola film), this new musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2024. The story of Ponyboy Curtis and the conflict between Greasers and Socs in 1960s Tulsa translates surprisingly well to the stage.

Director Danya Taymor brings visceral energy to the production, with choreography that captures both the violence and the brotherhood at the story's heart. The score by Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance (of Jamestown Revival) blends Americana with contemporary musical theater.

If you read the book in school (and who didn't?), this production honors the source material while making it feel urgent and contemporary.

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Operation Mincemeat

Golden Theatre | Opened 2025

The Olivier Award-winning British import tells the true story of a WWII deception operation: British intelligence convincing the Nazis that a dead body carrying fake documents was a courier with invasion plans. Yes, it's a musical about a corpse. Yes, it's hilarious.

The show has a distinctly British sensibility—witty, absurdist, self-aware—that plays surprisingly well on Broadway. The score is clever, the book is funnier than wartime spy capers have any right to be, and the whole production demonstrates that originality still has a place in musical theater.

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Holiday Specials

These are the explicitly seasonal shows that make New York magical in December.

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

Radio City Music Hall | Through January 5, 2025

The Rockettes are celebrating their 100th year, and the Christmas Spectacular remains exactly what you expect: precision dancing, elaborate sets, living nativity, and "New York at Christmas" as a theatrical experience. It's not subtle, but it's not trying to be.

If you've never seen it, it's a bucket-list New York experience. If you've seen it before, you know whether you want to see it again.

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The Nutcracker

David H. Koch Theater | Through January 4

New York City Ballet's production is the annual tradition for good reason. Tchaikovsky's score, George Balanchine's choreography, and the Lincoln Center setting combine for something genuinely magical. If you've never seen The Nutcracker done properly, this is proper.

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Family-Friendly Options

Bringing kids to Broadway? These shows work for all ages.

Aladdin

Disney's magic carpet ride delivers spectacle, humor, and a charismatic Genie. The "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali" production numbers are Broadway excess in the best way. Good for ages 6+.

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Best for ages 10+ and those familiar with the books/films. The magic effects are incredible, but the story assumes Potter knowledge.

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Date Night / Adult Shows

Looking for something more sophisticated? These shows reward grown-up attention.

Hamilton

Smart, dense, and rewards repeat viewing. The perfect "I want to have something to discuss at dinner after" show.

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Chicago

Cynical, sexy, and musically brilliant. The "All That Jazz" opening number sets a tone the show maintains throughout.

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Booking Strategy

Broadway in December is expensive and competitive. Here's how to maximize your chances of seeing what you want.

Book Early

Seriously. Holiday weeks sell out months in advance for popular shows. If you know your dates, book now. Waiting rarely results in better prices or availability.

Consider Midweek

Tuesday through Thursday performances are typically easier to book than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Wednesday matinees attract fewer tourists.

Understand Pricing

Broadway uses dynamic pricing. Demand drives cost. A Saturday evening Hamilton ticket will cost more than a Tuesday matinee—potentially much more. Flexibility saves money.

Don't Trust Scalpers

Tickets from unofficial sources may be counterfeit or invalid. Purchase from official sources like tickadoo.

• Chicago

• The Book of Mormon

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

• Aladdin

• Stranger Things

• All New York experiences

New York at the holidays is unforgettable. The lights, the energy, the sense that anything is possible—and the Broadway shows that make it all worthwhile. Book Broadway tickets on tickadoo and make this season one to remember.