8 Broadway Shows to See This Holiday Season in NYC

There’s truly nothing quite like the holiday season in New York City. As the weather gets colder, the city somehow manages to get cozier and brighter, filled with lights, music and plenty of holiday magic. The giant tree at Rockefeller Center presides over legions of bundled-up shoppers searching for the perfect gift, and skaters fill the iconic ice rink with peals of laughter and joy.

Entertainment options in the Big Apple feel nearly endless during Christmastime, too: the sounds of Mariah Carey fill the air, the Rockettes take over Radio City Music Hall with their annual high-kicking extravaganza, and Broadway lights up with the best live theater the country has to offer.

Below, we’ve rounded up 8 of the best NYC Broadway shows for the whole family to enjoy during the holidays — and beyond. Scroll through the discovery guide and check out our picks for this season’s hottest Broadway tickets.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Just in time for Part 1 of the fifth and final season to hit Netflix, take a mind-blowing trip to the Upside Down in the prequel to Netflix’s Stranger Things, when a mysterious student named Henry Creel first disrupts the lives of a teenaged Jim Hopper, Joyce Byers and Bob Newby in Hawkins, Indiana. Stranger Things: The First Shadow was officially the most-nominated play of the season, adding five Tony nominations to its host of other nods at the Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards and Drama League Awards.

Buy tickets to Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Ticketmaster.

Wicked

Looking to keep the magic of Wicked: For Good going? Catch Elphaba and Glinda live on stage in Wicked, which has cast its spell on Broadway for over 20 years now. Since its debut at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre in 2003, Wicked has captivated audiences and set records. The enchanting tale, crafted by composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman, unveils the “untold true story of the Witches of Oz” and has garnered 10 Tony Award nominations, winning three, including Best Actress in a Musical for OG star Idina Menzel’s portrayal of Elphaba. Featuring iconic songs like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good,” Wicked has left a lasting impression on Broadway.

Buy Broadway tickets to Wicked on Ticketmaster.

MJ the Musical

Wanna be startin’ something? Grab tickets to MJ the Musical, the jukebox biopic about the life and legacy of the late, great Michael Jackson. Filled with hit after hit from the King of Pop’s legendary songbook, the Tony-winning production traces Jackson’s Motown roots as Little Michael to his ascendancy to pop music royalty — all set against the backdrop of preparations for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. (Plus, check out an exclusive pre-show playlist from Elijah Rhea Johnson, who originated the lead role.)

Buy tickets for MJ the Musical on Ticketmaster.

Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen had a not-so-secret weapon in its arsenal when it began performances at the Shubert Theatre: Superstar Alicia Keys. Taking inspiration from her teenage years spent in Hell’s Kitchen, the musical transports audiences back to the mid-’90s in the kaleidoscopic Manhattan neighborhood with a soundtrack of both fan-favorite and brand-new songs by the 16-time Grammy winner. Starting December 4, Ne-Yo will make his Broadway debut as Davis while Yolanda Adams returns to the show December 16 as Miss Liza. (Both will star in Hell’s Kitchen through January 25, 2026.)

Buy tickets for Hell’s Kitchen on Ticketmaster.

Chicago

Fresh off her stint on the latest season of Dancing with the Stars, Whitney Leavitt will be making her Broadway debut in Chicago. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives firebrand will step into the well-heeled shoes of Roxie Hart from February 2 to March 15, 2026. The name on everybody’s lips is “Whitney” as fans eagerly await Leavitt’s big moment in the spotlight — but only time will tell who’s more dangerous for the reality TV villain: The merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail or MomTok?

Buy tickets for Chicago on Ticketmaster.

Mamma Mia!

Here we go again! Speaking of coming back to Broadway, Mamma Mia! has made its grand return to the Winter Garden Theatre for the first time in a decade. Put on your dancing shoes and feel the beat from the tambourine (oh, yeah!) as the music of ABBA soundtracks the story of freewheeling Donna, her daughter Sophie and the rest of the gang on the Greek island of Kalokairi — complete with beloved classics like “Dancing Queen,” “Honey Honey,” “Voulez-Vous” and more. Now playing through February 1, 2026, the musical also marks the return of OG director Phyllida Lloyd, who helmed the 2008 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried as well as its 2015 sequel, Here We Go Again!.

Get Broadway tickets for Mamma Mia! on Ticketmaster.

The Outsiders

Based on the famous 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders brings theatergoers into the hardscrabble world of 14-year-old dreamer Ponyboy Curtis as he finds his way in a world of violence, classism and gang warfare between the down-on-their-luck Greasers and the wealthy Socs. Now playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. The show took home four awards (including Best Musical) at the 2024 Tony Awards.

In an exclusive interview with Ticketmaster, Jonathan Clay of Jamestown Revival opened up about writing the music and lyrics for the stage production after reading the original novel in his eighth grade English class. “My English teacher was a huge fan of it and she got us all reading it as students,” he said. “What an honor to be able to take something like that, such a revered and influential piece of work, and put music to it.”

Buy tickets for The Outsiders on Ticketmaster.

Hamilton

His name is (still) Alexander Hamilton. That’s right, in the wake of the original cast reuniting at the 2025 Tony Awards, Hamilton is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a runaway Broadway sensation. Since August 6, 2015, Hamilton has told the unforgettable story of the $10 Founding Father at the Richard Rodgers Theatre — complete with fan-loved songs like “My Shot,” “The Schuyler Sisters,” “History Has Its Eyes On You” and duels and cabinet battles galore.

Buy tickets to Hamilton on Ticketmaster.

What’s the best show on Broadway right now?

While the absolute best show is of course a matter of personal opinion, Wicked, Beetlejuice, Buena Vista Social Club, Moulin Rouge!, Death Becomes Her, Operation Mincemeat and Hamilton are just some of the top shows you can see in a Broadway theatre this season. (Death Becomes Her is nominated for Best Musical Theater Album at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards.)

What is the most popular Broadway show?

The popularity of a show can be determined by a number of factors, including tenure and star power. Shows like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Aladdin, Hamilton and Wicked continue to be bestsellers, along with The Lion King, which sits at the top of the list of highest-grossing musical theater productions of all time.

What are some new Broadway shows?

Every year, a batch of new musicals, plays and revivals make their bow on Broadway each season. A couple of the latest starry-eyed productions hoping to make a splash on the Great White Way include the charmingly original transfer from London’s West End Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) and the long-awaited revival of CHESS starring Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher and Lea Michele.

How much is a Broadway show in NYC?

Ticket prices for Broadway shows depend on a variety of factors, including the show, seat location, performance date and time, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a Broadway show can cost between $50 and $300, but most fans agree that seeing a show is one of the best things to do in NYC — and wholly worth it.

What is the longest-running show on Broadway?

The Phantom of the Opera was the longest-running show on Broadway, playing at the Majestic Theatre from 1988 to 2023. The longest-running current Broadway show and musical is Chicago (1996 revival).

Find more Broadway ticket tips, get box office info and much more with our ticket guide.