The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on view from last year’s lighting ceremony gala
2/4
Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony Dinner Gala
Celebrate the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in style with hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and a gourmet buffet. From the seventh floor, guests have a bird’s-eye view of the action and some great photo-op potential. Main room table $9,000 with $578 fee, Rockefeller Center, yourvippass.com
Pyer Moss New York womenswear is featured in Power Mode: The Force of Fashion at The Museum at FIT.
12/10-5/9
Power Mode: The Force of Fashion
The Museum at FIT presents more than 50 pieces from its permanent collection that illuminate power dynamics in society. The Museum at FIT, fitnyc.edu
12/12-29
’Twas the Night Before…
Cirque du Soleil’s new spin on the holiday tale is an electrifying acrobatic show and the group’s first-ever Yuletide special. Debuting this winter, the show is a reimagination of Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” Floor seats $120-$180, Hulu Theater, cirquedusoleil.com
Tablescapes at the 2018 Winter Wonderland Ball
12/13
NYBG Winter Wonderland Ball
Now in its 21st year, the Winter Wonderland Ball remains NYC’s most fashionable party of the holiday season. The event features cocktails, dinner and dancing in sight of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory’s twinkling holiday display. Tables from $7,500, New York Botanical Garden, nybg.org
The Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular
12/13-22
Christmas Spectacular VIP Elite Experience
This luxe package includes a private entrance away from the crowd, a preshow reception, photos with the Rockettes and Santa, food, open bar and some of the theater’s beat seats. Tickets $599, Radio City Music Hall, rockettes.com
Julie Taymor’s production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute
12/15-1/4
Mozart’s The Magic Flute
The Metropolitan Opera presents Mozart’s whimsical fairy tale in an abridged, English format perfect for the holiday season. Orchestra tickets $165, Metropolitan Opera House, metopera.org
“Figure Pendant” (10th-16th century, gold) made by the Tairona people of north Colombia, shown at Arte del Mar at The Met
12/16-1/10
Arte del Mar: Artistic Exchange in the Caribbean
Spotlighting the rich diffusion of art across the Caribbean Sea before the 16th century, The Met presents its latest exhibit of indigenous Caribbean artifacts, including pieces ranging from ceremonial objects to pendants made from imported luxury materials. General admission $25, The Met, metmuseum.org
12/17-21
Handel’s Messiah
Baroque master Harry Bicket leads the New York Philharmonic through a beloved holiday tradition. Ring in the season with stunning vocal solos and explosive instrumentals. Tickets $32-$161, New York Philharmonic, nyphil.org
12/18-19
Andrea Bocelli at MSG
Tenor Andrea Bocelli will take the stage at Madison Square Garden for the sixth year running. Floor seat $5,775, Madison Square Garden, newyorkcitytheatre.com.
The New York String Orchestra, conducted by Jaime Laredo, performed last year in Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium.
12/24
The New York String Orchestra’s Christmas Eve concert
An all-Mozart program features the mercurial overture to his opera The Marriage of Figaro, his elegant and dramatic Turkish Violin Concerto and the composer’s final work, the Jupiter Symphony. Parquet tickets $60, Isaac Stern Auditorium, carnegiehall.org
Photography by: Artwork photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art; tree photo courtesy of Your VIP Pass; The Rockettes photo by Dan Niver; orchestra photo by Pete Checchia; opera photo by Richard Termine/Met Opera; fashion photo courtesy of the museum at FIT; Winter Wonderland photo by Angela Pham/BFA.com
