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The Best Holiday Shows to See in NYC
December 3, 2021, 5:44.34 pm ET

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The Best Holiday Shows to See in New York City
Photo: Shea Arender

New York City is the entertainment capital of the world, so it’s hardly surprising there’s a slew of must-see holiday shows and other musical events this month.

The Original Rockabilly Christmas: Las Vegas sensation Shea Arender and his incredible 10-piece big band will get the joint jumping with this energizing show of holiday favorites at Midtown’s Swing 46. Each show is accompanied nightly by a three-course dinner (or on select Sundays by a sumptuous brunch). December 3-30. https://swing46.nyc

Twas the Night Before…Cirque du Soleil is making its triumphant return to the Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden with its unique take on the beloved Christmas tale -- which includes an incredible skating duo, mesmerizing suspension acts, a playful hoop scene, mind-blowing acrobatics, amazing choreography, spectacular costumes and fantastical music. (December 9-27. msg.com)

Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas: This beloved musical adaptation of Russell and Lillian Hoban’s book and Jim Henson’s popular classic holiday special at the New Victory Theatre follows Emmet Otter and his Ma as they enter a Christmas Eve talent contest hoping to win prize money to buy each other holiday gifts. December 10-January 2. www.newvictory.org

Bob Anderson: One for the Road: The award-winning impressionist – who even looks like the Chairman of the Board thanks to some amazing make-up artists – will come to Carnegie Hall to perform some of Sinatra’s best-loved hits while backed by a 32-piece orchestra. (December 11 at 7pm. www.carnegiehall.org)

The Best Holiday Shows to See in New York City
Photo: Kristin Chenoweth/John Russo

Kristin Chenoweth: Christmas at the Met: The multi-award-winning superstar makes a long-awaited return to the Metropolitan Opera for a one-night concert featuring selections from her new album “Happiness Is…Christmas” as well as other vocal selections. (December 13, 8pm. www.metopera.org)

Kimberly Locke: The popular “American Idol” finalist will serenade fans at Birdlabd with cuts from her new holiday CD, “Christmas Is Here,” including the title tune (made famous by Donna Summer) and the Hawaiian standard “Mele Kalikimaka.” (December 13 at 7pm. www.birdlandjazz.com)

Todd Almond with Betty Buckley: Almond, the brilliant singer-songwriter now appearing in Broadway’s “Girl from the North Country,” will celebrate the release of his new CD, “A Pony for Christmas,” at Chelsea Table +Stage with the help of a very special guest star: the incomparable Tony Award winner Betty Buckley. (December 13 at 7pm. www.chelseatableandstage.com)

Jennifer Nettles: Just weeks after ending her acclaimed Broadway stint in “Waitress,” the Grammy Award-winning megastar returns to NYC – Town Hall to be precise – for a special concert that will include many theater favorites from her recent album “Almost Like New.” (December 15 at 7:30pm. www.ticketmaster.com)

The Best Holiday Shows to See in New York City
Photo: Norm Lewis

Norm Lewis: There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays: While Feinstein’s/54 Below will have many great shows all month (including a tribute to Judy Garland by owner Michael Feinstein), you can be guaranteed to have a truly wonderful time when one of Broadway’s best (and most charming) singers takes the stage just in time for Christmas. (December 16-24. www.54below.com)

Judy Collins/Darlene Love: Two of pop music’s living legends play on back-to-back nights, December 17 and 18, at Town Hall. Collins hits town with her popular “Winter Stories” tour, while Love raises the roof with her “Home for the Holidays” concert. (December 17 and 18 at 8pm. www.thetownhall.org)

Karen Mason: Longtime cabaret lovers that no show really captures the joy of the season as well as Mason’s exuberant “Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!,” which is sure to pack the intimate Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café. (December 17-19 at 7pm. https://www.westbankcafe.com/laurie-beechman-theatre)

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage: The classic “Peanuts”-themed television special comes to life in this sure-to-special stage production making its NYC premiere at the recently opened Palladium Theatre Times Square. (December 21-24. www.ticketmaster.com)

--Brian Scott Lipton

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