The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025, marking a century of iconic dance, tradition, and holiday nostalgia at Radio City Music Hall. From breathtaking choreography to stunning costumes and live Christmas classics, the long-running show remains one of the most beloved holiday experiences in the world. Here’s everything you need to know.
Radio City Rockettes Reveal the Intense Rehearsal & Performance Schedule
The Rockettes may make every performance look effortless, but the work behind the scenes is anything but. The world-famous troupe performs the show up to five times a day from November through January, according to their official site. Before opening night, the dancers train six days a week, six hours a day, for six weeks straight.
“As much as it is a dream, it still is a very rigorous process,” second-year Rockette Kayla Hsu told People. “A lot of people say we are athletes dripping in diamonds, which could not be more true. We’re putting ourselves through a physically exhausting show, but at the same time, the reward is just so incredible.”
Veteran Rockette Danielle Betscher, who has performed in 13 seasons of the holiday production, said performers learn nine different numbers during training. Some routines date back to the show’s earliest eras, while others blend new technology and choreography.
“Parade of the Wooden Soldiers has been in the show since its inception in 1933,” Betscher said. “But then we have numbers that include more current choreography.” Betscher also named the “Dance of the Frost Fairies” as a modern favorite.
“The rehearsal process is really getting us prepared to learn all of those numbers and then be able to perform them sometimes four times a day,” she added.
Inside the Rockettes Legacy, History & 2025 Ticket Prices
The 2025 season not only honors the show’s 100-year milestone but also celebrates the lasting community behind it. Betscher shared that the bond between dancers forms quickly because of the intense schedule and constant proximity.
“We’re spending holidays together. They attended my wedding. I’ve attended their baby showers,” she said. “These women have become lifelong friends.”
For Hsu, nothing compares to the moment the curtain rises.
“You’re performing for 6,000 people in New York City at Radio City Music Hall,” she said. “You can dream about it all you want, but once you’re on that stage, it truly is like no other.”
The Christmas Spectacular continues to draw audiences from across the world, thanks to its signature numbers including “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and the “Living Nativity,” along with new production elements added every year.
Tickets for the 2025 centennial season start at approximately $64 to $83, depending on the date and seating. Premium and prime tickets can reach around $502 for peak performances. Guests can browse dates and purchase tickets through the Rockettes’ official site.
The Christmas Spectacular runs at Radio City Music Hall from November through early January. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for a holiday tradition, the celebration promises to be one of the biggest in show history.
