The Bucket List • December 2017 • NYC Edition
Alex Aronson
The Holiday season is officially upon us, and New York City is full of yuletide flare. From Jingle Ball to Mariah Carey, the list is long and you can find it all the seasonal happens over on our 2017 Holiday Guide. December also marks the final month for “Cats” on Broadway and Jerry Seinfeld’s residency at the Beacon Theater, so be sure to check them out before they are gone. If you are looking for more holiday spirit, stop by the Grand Central Holiday Fair for some unique gift ideas. Or catch George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” or “Elf the Musical”for their limited holiday runs. Whatever you’re looking for, The Bucket List has you covered.
Cats at Neil Simon Theatre | Through Dec. 20
The long-running Broadway hit will be ending its revival after a nearly two-year run. The show, which began production roughly 30 years go, has gone on to rack up several Tony Awards. The show has no planned return date, but most cats usually have nine lives. This likely won’t be the last of the cats on Broadway.
Grand Central Holiday Fair at Grand Central Market | Through Dec. 24
Experience one of the longest-running traditions in Manhattan holiday history. The Holiday Fair consists of over 40 vendors, curated specifically by the Holiday Fair Committee. All of the gifts for sale at the fair are handmade products using locally-sourced materials. Shop among men’s/women’s clothing, accessories, children’s toys, and home goods.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at David H. Koch Theater | Through Dec. 31
The theatrical show “The Nutcracker” has been a holiday staple of the stage for decades. The esteemed New York City Ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s triumph to the David H. Koch Theater. The visual show is the company’s most complex production to date, which is undoubtedly not want to be missed.
The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall | Through Jan. 1
It’s (almost) Christmas time in the city. But there is no harm is getting into the spirit a little early. The long-standing history behind the Rocketts stretches back to the 1920s. Since then, they have perfected their routines to present their pinnacle annual performance at the Christmas Spectacular. You won’t want to miss the evening of dancing, lights, and surprise performances.
Springsteen on Broadway at Walter Kerr Theatre | Through June 30
Experience the legendary singer like you never have before. For the first time in over 40 years, the 23-time Grammy Award Winning singer will perform in his most intimate setting. The Walter Kerr Theatre is one of Broadway’s smallest venues. The show is simply Springsteen, a guitar, and a piano… just as it should be.
Wine Riot at Brooklyn Expo Center | Dec. 1 + Dec. 2
Get your all-access pass to hundreds of new wines through a “two-part education” and “one-part revolution” approach. Once you grab your glass, you are free to hit the floor and sample from world-class vendors. As you sip, you can go through some crash courses and bring your wine knowledge up to speed. It’s sure to be a riot.
Gotham Magazine’s 31st Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue | Dec. 2
Fashion, philanthropy and the holiday spirit all fuse together for a special day on Madison Avenue. A slew of upscale designers donate 20% of their sales on Dec. 2 to various pediatric programs of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Also in on the festivities are 19th-century costumed carolers, a photographer ready to capture holiday portraits, and more. Shop till you drop and do it for a good cause.
Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You at Beacon Theatre | Dec. 2 + Dec. 4 + Dec. 5
The self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas hits the stage at the Beacon Theatre for a special three-night celebration. The Grammy Award-winning songstress released her holiday album, “Merry Christmas” in 1994. Since then, her song “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has become a modern staple of the season.
Jane Lynch’s Swingin’ Little Christmas at City Winery | Dec. 3 + Dec. 4
Emmy and Golden Globe winter Jane Lynch headlines her own holiday show featuring plenty of music and laughs. The talented show woman is joined on stage by Kate Flannery (“The Office”), Tim Davis (“Glee”), and The Tony Guerrero Quintet. All the music featured in the joyful show comes from their holiday album now available on iTunes.
Chris Rock’s “Total Blackout” Tour in NYC | Dec. 6 – Dec. 9
The legendary comedian hits the NYC stage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden (Dec. 6 – Dec. 8) and Barclays Center (Dec. 9) for his “Total Blackout” tour. Recently, the comic made a guest-appearance on the Fox hit, “Empire,” and he stood behind the camera to direct “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo” for HBO.
Le Nozze di Figaro at The Metropolitan Opera | Dec. 6 – Jan. 19
Mozart’s comic profile on human nature in a wealthy Spanish household comes to The Metropolitan Opera. The adaptation helmed by an exceptional ensemble of performers – including Ailyn Perez, Nadine Sierra, and Isabel Leonard. Mozart maestro Harry Bicket conducts the Rickard Eyre directed production.
Jerry Seinfeld: The Homestead at Beacon Theater | Dec. 8
The legendary New Yorker and comedian will bring the laughs to the Beacon Theater in New York for the final month of his residency. After decades on the scene, Seinfeld is still one of the top comics in the game. You can also catch the comedian on his show, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”
iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden | Dec. 8
iHeartRadio presents the ultimate concert series to get you grooving into the holiday spirit. The all-star line-up of performers includes Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, Charlie Puth, Julia Michaels, Logic, Fall Out Boy, G-Eazy, Niall Horan, Halsey, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, and Why Don’t We.
A John Waters Christmas at City Winery | Dec. 10
If you are looking for a different flavor this holiday season, look no further than “A John Waters Christmas.” The legendary filmmaker and bestselling author packages all of his Yuletide profanity into this entertaining one-man show. Hot tip: the show is already sold out. But there are a few tickets still available on the waitlist, so grab them fast.
Andrea Bocelli at Madison Square Garden | Dec. 13 + Dec. 14
Across the span of his fruitful career, Bocelli has released several dozen records. His latest, titled “Romanza 20th Anniversary Edition,” came out just last year. Ranging from classic to pop, Bocelli has successfully crossed genres, proving his versatility and longevity as an artist and performer.
ACRIA Holiday Dinner at Cipriani 25 Broadway | Dec. 14
Leaders of fashion, art, media, and design come together to celebrate the winter season, but more importantly support the ACRIA’s work in HIV prevention, research, and education. At the 22nd annual dinner, designer Jason Wu, photographer Anne Collier, artist Matthew Higgs, and ACRIA board president Ross Bleckner will be honored at the star-studded event.
Elf the Musical at Theater at Madison Square Gardens | Dec. 13 – Dec. 29
“Elf the Musical” follows Buddy, who after crawling into a bag of gifts gets transported to the North Pole. He grows up thinking he is just like all the other Elves but soon sets out on a journey to New York City to find his birth parents. Based on the modern classic film starring Will Ferrell, “Elf the Musical” brings plenty of chaos, heart, and laughs.
Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration at Cathedral of St. John the Divine | Dec. 14 – Dec. 16
Celebrate the coming of the Winter Solstice in a multi-media event focusing on togetherness. The contemporary alternative to ancient solstice rituals features a splattering of talented musicians and vocalists including Paul Winter, Theresa Thomason, Paul McCandless, Eugene Friesen, Paul Sullivan, and more. Also in attendance will be the 25 dancers and drummers of the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre.
Hansel and Gretel at The Metropolitan Opera | Dec. 18 – Jan. 6
The well-known fairy-tale comes to the stage at The Metropolitan Opera with a special holiday presentation. Donald Runnicles conducts the enchanting score based on the Brothers Grimm story. Bringing the iconic characters to life is an impressive cast composed of Dolora Zajick as mother, Tara Erraught and Ingeborg Gillebo as Hansel, and Lisette Oropesa and Maureen McKay as Gretel.
Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden | Dec. 20
Join musical legend Billy Joel at his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden Arena. The iconic singer has had 33 number-one hits during the span of his incredible career. It’s a night any music enthusiast wouldn’t want to miss.
John Lithgow: Stories by Heart at American Airlines Theatre | Dec. 21 – March 4
Tony and Emmy Award-winner John Lithgow balances humor and heart in his intimate show. Hailed by The New York Times as “a tour de force” Lithgow harkens back to memories of his family and creates a cast of characters from short stories by Ring Lardner and P.G. Wodehouse. Previews begin Dec. 21 and opens on Jan. 11.
New Year’s Eve in NYC | Dec. 31
The Big Apple has plenty of great events to ring in 2018. Prospect Park promises for the best firework display in the city. Of course, the main attraction in New York City on New Year’s Eve is the action taking place at Times Square. Say goodbye to 2017 aboard a luxury cruise ship. Or hit up Luna Park at Coney Island for some fun as the clock strikes midnight and the ball drops on another year. For even more events you can visit our New Year’s Eve bucket list.