The holiday season is upon us, filled with delicious meals, songs sung, gifts given, and new special moments created. And should you be able to travel this December, one of the best places to experience the holidays is in New York City.
Playbill and the all-new Playbill Partner Hotels Booking Engine are excited to look at some of Broadway’s favorite holiday activities, in the hopes we can help you discover new and exciting experiences. The city can be overwhelming so to help, Playbill has asked some Broadway stars share a few of their favorite things. Read on below.
Apollo Levine (MJ The Musical)
"My favorite thing to do in NYC around the holidays is going to Magnolia Bakery, Rockefeller Center, and having Friendsgiving. Most of my friends including myself are not from NYC so it’s really cool to celebrate the holidays with people that have become chosen family!"
Shoshana Bean (Hell's Kitchen)
"Two of my favorite things: I absolutely love going to eat at Rolf’s—it’s like eating inside of a Christmas tree! And I love going to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular because it’s such a staple."
James Monroe Iglehart (A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical)
"During the holidays, my family and I going to Bryant Park and wandering the little Holiday shops! They have some elegant gifts along with appropriate humored things (which I love, ha!). Then, my family loves to dine at STK NYC. The food there is fantastic, and atmosphere is really fun! Hope you all have a great holiday, and you never know, you might catch my family and I at the shops or the restaurant!"
Darren Criss (Maybe Happy Ending)
"I’d say it’s true that nothing feels more distinctly like “Classic Holiday Rom-Com New York City” than the parks—Central, Bryant, Union Square—all of which have their own wonderful Christmas Market setups in honor of the season. However, for me, just as warm and fuzzy of an NYC feeling can be found at any number of local dive bars open Christmas evening, decked out in holiday cheer, with bartenders clad in gay apparel and revelers who stayed in the relatively empty city for their holiday—all sharing a cup of their own Christmas spirit."
Marissa Rosen (Water For Elephants)
"Holiday Under the Stars at The Shops at Columbus Circle! Something about the twinkling Christmas lights in the trees outside makes the shopping center so inviting. The light show, accompanied by Christmas Carols in the main lobby, is so magical and screams the holidays! It runs every half hour. Plus, there are even Broadway performances every Wednesday!
Michael Urie (Once Upon a Mattress)
My can’t-miss New York holiday confection is The Big Apple Circus. Nothing beats going to Lincoln Center and slipping into that wonderful massive tent in Damrosch Park. The artists and clowns and acrobats and aerialists and dogs (yes, dogs!) make you feel like a kid no matter your age!
J Harrison Ghee (Some Like It Hot)
"Company XIV:
Nutcracker Rouge is one of my favorite holiday treats to share with as many people as I can. It’s a baroque burlesque show and well worth the journey to Brooklyn! Anything Company XIV produces is a fabulous show that will have you in awe and filled with wonder!"
Helen J. Shen (Maybe Happy Ending)
"I’ve always loved going to the ballet, and going to Lincoln Center to see The Nutcracker is a tradition that I just adore. The music is so nostalgic, and I have all the respect in the world for the absolutely incredible dancers!"
Interested in a trip to New York City? Use Playbill’s Booking Engine to find the right hotel for your stay. Powered by Travelwits, the booking engine allows you to discover the best hotels in both cities, with added benefits like hotel credits, free breakfasts, rewards points, and more. Check out the fantastic hotels that is available to book, to make your experience in New York City that much more enjoyable! Visit PlaybillTravel.com for more information.