Theater: Top Show in NYC in December 2025 -Where to go in New York for the Holidays

Your Guide to the best New York City Events: Everything You Need to Know on the Top Show in NYC in December 2025. Fall in New York  – catch the Top show The Nutcracker in New York: Chiara Ajkun's ballet in the historical City Center in Manhattan.  

Top Show in NYC in December 2025:

Fall, Holidays, The Nutcracker

Falling leaves and white show at the door, the Holiday spirit starts to manifest with feelings of joyful wonder sparked by The Nutcracker ballet. This cherished 100-year tradition made of a magical story, iconic classical music, and dazzling dancing is the main New York seasonal attraction and the Top Show in NYC in December.

Choreographer Chiara Ajkun – director of the Ballet Theater - has a remarkable vision for the popular Nutcracker, one that retains the original charm and is vibrant today.  Ajkun’s Nutcracker fosters the elegance, power and beauty of the art form of dance in a production free of long theatrical acts that allows the taking of photos and video. The engaging setting sparks laugher and delight and is fun and exciting for all, including the young viewers at the Ajkun Ballet Theatre.

Ready To Get Your Tickets for the Top Show in NYC in December?

THE NUTCRACKER

Shows on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm

December 6-7-13-14-20-21, 2025

at The Rudolf Nureyev Space, 6th flr at the City Center,

130 W 56 Street, NYC, NY 10019.

TICKETS

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The Story of The Nutcracker and Ajkun Ballet Theatre

The initial run of the Sleeping Beauty ballet was a great success in Russia, captivating the audience and becoming recognized as the crown of 19th century classical ballet. On the wave of its success, the Moscow Imperial Theaters commissioned another collaboration between composer Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky and choreographer Marius Petipa and The Nutcracker ballet was born. Alexandre Dumas Père’s adaptation of the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816) premiered a week before Christmas in 1892, performed by the Mariinksy Ballet. The first complete production in the United States premiered in San Francisco on Christmas Eve 1944 and, since 1954, is a fixture and top show in NYC in December.

But then was then and now is now.

The two-three hours runtime of some theatrical production is not tempting for a modern audience, and a family tradition should be mindful of the children enjoyment.

The Classics by Chiara Ajkun

are delightful shows to watch. The shows last for a pleasurable time, and are accessible for all, adults and families alike. The Face To Face setting, an experience where the audience sits near the dancers and photography and video is allowed, is an extraordinarily enjoyable encounter that creates memories to share with friends and an opportunity to meet the dancers.

The Nutcracker at Ajkun Ballet Theatre transports audiences into a magical world of children, family, toys, and enchanting snowflakes, with a fresh casting every night to cherish and experience. The 2025 production will also feature a performance by FTC Northern dancers in an authentic Classical Chinese Dance created by Shen Yun former principal dancer and Fei Tian College Dance Chair Alison Chen joining the cast of the Ajkun Ballet Company.

Get Your Tickets for the Top Show in NYC in December: The Nutcracker

TICKETS

Guide: Top Questions Ticket Buyers Ask

You want to see the show, but you’ve got questions.

Have no fear, we have you covered.

SHOW FAQ

ABDURAH RAHMAN – DANCE WRITER

Hey there, I'm Abdurah Rahman from Afghanistan. Ballet has always been a passion of mine but pursuing it hasn't been easy in my part of the world. I immersed myself in countless YouTube videos, admiring performances from the Royal Ballet, American Ballet and Australian Ballet, and falling in love with dancers like Marianela Núñez and Maria Khoreva. Eventually, I moved to the United States of America in the great city of New York to pursue journalism. I finally had the opportunity to experience live ballet shows and discovered the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. I love ballet but not all ballets. While big companies have large promotional budgets, it doesn't always guarantee the best shows. The Ajkun Ballet Company, on the other hand, delivers exceptional performances that truly touch, excite and captivate the audience.  Here you can find my take on their top shows in NYC. Enjoy!

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Top Show in NYC in December