Don't Miss the Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Kick up your heels and enjoy one of New York’s favorite holiday traditions at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! The Radio City Rockettes are the stars of this festive show that runs from mid-November through the first few days of the new year.

The Christmas Spectacular began in 1933 and featured an original musical score with singing, dancing and laughter in a 90-minute show. Plan ahead now to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

What is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular?

This popular holiday production features more than 140 performers and an original music score that includes Christmas favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Let it Snow” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.” The Rockettes are the headlining act and are supported by the Radio City Symphony as well as other eye-catching performers like the flying Santa Clause. Overall, the show includes 60,000 pounds of props that help transform Radio City into a winter wonderland.

The Christmas Spectacular is directed and choreographed by Julie Branam and written by Mark Waldrop. Music was composed by Gardy Adler and Mark Hummel.

History of the Radio City Rockettes

The Radio City Rockettes’ chief choreographer Russell Markert founded the troupe in 1925. They were initially known as the “Missouri Rockets” and made their show debut in St. Louis. Shortly after, they traveled to New York City and performed in the Broadway show Rain or Shine which caught the attention of showman S.L. “Roxy” Rothafel.

In 1932, Rothafel moved his “Roxyettes” to Radio City Music Hall where they began to draw sell-out crowds. In 1934, they became the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes after a split from Roxy and began performing on-stage before featured films. Through the years, the Rockettes have appeared in films of their own and on stages across the country in addition to the annual holiday show. This year, in fact, they will debut a new original movie A Holiday Spectacular on the Hallmark Channel. They are also a popular performer in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Radio City Music Hall

The Radio City Music Hall, which opened in 1932, is located in the Rockefeller Center. It was originally designed to host stage shows but soon became a movie palace hosting premiers through the 1970s. It now primarily hosts concerts and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

The music hall was designated as a New York City Landmark in May 1978 and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It seats 5,960 patrons between the ground-level orchestra and three mezzanines. Another iconic fixture is the Wurlitzer organ, which is the largest built by the company. It consists of 4,178 pipes and is played from twin consoles located on each side of the stage.