One of the big advantages of big city life is the variety of cultural events on offer and that’s doubly true for the holidays. Here’s a look at some of the hottest holiday shows in the big metropolitan areas.
New York
Chanticleer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The world’s number one male chorus gives an annual concert in the museum’s Medieval Sculpture Hall for an event that delights the eyes and the ears. The concerts are presented in front of the Museum’s Christmas Tree and a Neapolitan Baroque Crèche.
Holiday Brass
The New York Philharmonic’s principal brass quintet teams with the Canadian Brass Orchestra for an evening of carols. Another annual tradition in NYC, tickets for the December 14 concert run from $45-$75.
The Vienna Boys Choir at Carnegie Hall
A staple of the New York Christmas experience, the December 14 program includes traditional sacred music and folk songs from around the world. The boys range in age from 10 to 14. They have made more than 20 Carnegie Hall appearances since 1937 and have performed annual holiday concerts since 1990.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
It’s got music, it’s got Santa, it’s got dancing girls. A 75-year-old tradition, the Radio City Christmas Show features the world-famous Rockettes, a chorus line of 150 high-kicking girls. Although it varies slightly from year to year, the show hasn’t changed much over the years. Over a million flock to the show each year, both in New York and in other cities across the US. In New York, the show runs for nine weeks over Christmas.
Nutcracker
Adorable children, marching toy soldiers, a glowing one-ton Christmas tree, mischievous mice, waltzing snowflakes, the Land of Sweets and beautiful dancing by beautiful dancers. This is the gold standard, the version choreographed by George Balanchine and put on annually by the New York City Ballet Company. The ballet runs through January 2. Tickets range from $20–$215.
The Yorkville Nutcracker
This version of the ballet takes the audience on a whirlwind tour of NYC circa 1890 going from the the mayor’s house at Gracie Mansion to the Dakota building to the Pond at Central Park and the New York Botanical Garden, which doubles as the Kingdom of Sweets. The show runs Thursday through Sundays in December.
Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular
The 250-member chorus has been performing traditional Christmas music for 29 years at Carnegie Hall.
A Simply Barbra Holiday Spectacular
Steven Brinberg pays homage to Barbara Streisand in this holiday-themed drag show with help from cabaret singer Julie Wilson.
Winter Solstice Concerts at St John the Divine
Mark the longest night of the year in the world’s largest gothic cathedral with a theatrical concert featuring gongs, giant balls, dancers and the music of saxophonist Paul Winter.
Chicago
Caroling at Cloud Gate
Fridays throughout December 19, listen to and sing along with different Chicago choral groups, including the Apollo Chorus, the Wooten Choral Ensemble, the Chicago Chamber Choir and the Chicago Children’s Choir.
The Hipmas Carol
A retelling of the Dickens classic told through rhyming couplets and the guitar of Ritch Valadez. Tyler Bohne and Patrick Zielinski play 26 characters and narrate the tale in a “Lord Buckley meets Dr. Seuss beat story scat,” without changing costumes or leaving the stage. The show opens Thursday, December 4 and runs through December 20.
Dance-Along Nutcracker
Young and old alike take center stage as the audience is encouraged to don tutus, tiaras and ballet slippers alongside professional dancers. The story will be narrated by Chicago’s own Mia Park.
Holiday Pops
The best loved holiday music and songs performed by the 140 member Holiday Pops Chorus and the the Southport Symphony Orchestra.
Tidings of Tap
Features seasonal standards and lesser-known songs as well as the spectacular dancing of Chicago Tap Theater. Covers Christmas, Hanukkah and the snowy season.
A Reasonable Facsimile’s Chicago Christmas Spectacular
A politically incorrect Christmas show with carols–all written by visitors to the repertory company’s website who were in turn inspired by pictures of the cast members celebrating Christmases past.
Los Angeles
Grinchmas
Visitors to Universal Studios Hollywood who ride the back lot tram tour will stop at the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” movie set were they can watch residents of Whoville reenacting scenes from the movie. The event will run weekends beginning Dec. 6 and will be available daily from Dec. 22 until Dec. 31.
A Mulholland Christmas Carol
A musical that tells the story of turn-of-the-century L.A. water services engineer William Mulholland through the lens of the Charles Dickens classic.
Judith Owen and Harry Shearer’s Holiday Sing-A-Long
Joining the couple will be Julia Fordham, Julianna Raye and Steve Poltz in a show that has become a staple in LA.
The Cherry Tree: Medieval English Carols and American Christmas Tunes
Anonymous 4 topped Billboard’s classical chart for 76 weeks with their “American Angels” album; their program features songs, ballads and carols for Christmas, and includes both medieval European and early American tunes. The concert takes place in the sanctuary of St. James Episcopal Church, a 1924 landmark known for its Gothic design and Judson Studios stained glass windows.
A Christmas Thrance
A cabaret/comedy ensemble that pokes fun at the stresses of the holidays. An eclectic mix of traditional carols and contemporary songs, the show features music by Duke Ellington, Lawrence Welk, Chandler Travis, Lou Rawls, The Barenaked Ladies, The Beach Boys, The Pogues, Andy Williams, Amy Mann & Michael Penn, Alton Ellis & The Lipsticks, Natalie Merchant, The Jackson 5, among others.
Santasia
An all-male cast in drag a lá “Kids in the Hall,” parodies the most sacred of holiday stories. Written and performed by alumni of Chicago’s Improv Olympic, Chicago’s Second City, and L.A.’s Comedy Sportz.
A Tuna Christmas
The citizens of Tuna, the 3rd smallest town in Texas, cope with seasonal traumas.
Twas the Week Before Christmas
The LA Philharmonic and members of the Westside Ballet perform the Nutcracker Suite, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with narration and other holiday music.
Soweto Gospel Choir
Christmas carols plus gospel and traditional African music from the world renowned choir.
