Radio City Music Hall: Rockettes debut 10-dance season
The 2026 Christmas Spectacular opens with new tap choreography and live camera feeds on two screens.
By Justin Barnes ·
For families heading to Midtown this holiday season, the wait for the annual Christmas tradition is over. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes opened its 2026 run on Wednesday, November 4, at the Radio City Music Hall.
This year’s production marks a technical and artistic shift. The show now features ten numbers performed by the Rockettes, a season high for the production. It also introduces a new tap routine called Ring and adds live video feeds to the theater experience.
Chloe Arnold, an Emmy nominee, choreographed Ring. She worked with the company’s creative team to develop a sequence described as contemporary, athletic, and energetic. Julie Branam, the company’s resident director and choreographer, led the effort. Branam oversees the artistic identity of the group as it prepares to enter its next century of history.
The new dance premiered during a special event at the Music Hall before the general public opening. It serves as a way for the company to celebrate its legacy while testing new stage possibilities. The addition of Ring pushes the total number of Rockette performances to ten, reflecting a wider range of styles and formations than previous years.
Technology plays a larger role this season. Multiple cameras mounted on the stage capture the dancers from angles that are normally invisible to the house audience. These feeds project in real time onto two large screens positioned on either side of the stage.
The footage includes aerial views and lateral shots from the stage wings. This setup allows viewers to see the precision of the dancers' synchronized movements and complex transitions. The screens act as a supplement to the live performance rather than a replacement, highlighting details that might be missed from certain seats.
The production also expanded its offerings beyond the stage. The venue increased its selection of official merchandise and added new food and beverage options for attendees. These changes aim to make the visit a fuller event for the crowds that fill Manhattan during the festive months.
The show will run through January 4, 2027. Tickets are available at www.rockettes.com.
