The Radio City Rockettes are a precision dance company that has been entertaining audiences since 1925. They are most famous for their annual Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Seeing the Rockettes perform their iconic high-kicks live on stage is a quintessential New York City holiday experience. If you want to see the Rockettes this Christmas season, here is everything you need to know about getting tickets.
When Do Rockettes Tickets Go on Sale?
Tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Rockettes usually go on sale in October for the upcoming holiday season. The exact on-sale date can vary year-to-year. Generally, tickets will go on sale to the general public in early October. There are presales that happen before the general on-sale date. Fan club members, American Express cardholders, and Radio City Music Hall email subscribers often get first access to presales. Sign up for the Radar City Music Hall email list to get presale password announcements.
Where Can I Buy Rockettes Tickets?
There are a few different options for where to buy tickets to see the Rockettes:
- Radio City Music Hall box office – You can buy tickets directly through the Radio City Music Hall box office, located at 1260 6th Ave in New York City. The box office is open daily from 11am-6pm.
- Online at Rockettes.com – Tickets can be purchased online at Rockettes.com. This is the official website for Radio City and the Rockettes.
- Ticketmaster – Radio City Rockettes tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. You can buy them online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone through Ticketmaster.
- Secondary ticket sites – Rockettes tickets can also be found on secondary ticket marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats. Prices are often higher than face value.
- Radio City Music Hall Insider – There is a pre-sale opportunity through the Insider program. You can get early access to tickets by signing up at Rockettes.com/insider.
Buying directly from Radio City Music Hall, either at the box office or on their official website, is highly recommended to get legitimate tickets and the face value prices. Be wary of secondary ticket sites that seem like unofficial scalpers with inflated prices.
How Much Do Radio City Rockettes Tickets Cost?
Radio City Rockettes ticket prices can vary based on the show time, date, and seat location. On average, ticket prices range from $49 – $199 each. Here is a breakdown of the tiered pricing:
Seat Location | Average Price Range |
---|---|
Rear Mezzanine | $49 – $69 |
Mid Mezzanine | $79 – $99 |
Front Mezzanine | $99 – $109 |
Rear Orchestra | $79 – $109 |
Mid Orchestra | $109 – $149 |
Front Orchestra | $149 – $199 |
Premium seats in the front orchestra section or closer to the stage can sell for $199 or more. Tickets for matinee and weekday shows are generally the cheapest. Friday evenings and weekends are more expensive. There are sometimes discounts available for children and military members.
Are There Any Ticket Deals or Discounts?
There are a few ways you may be able to get discounted Rockettes tickets:
- Military discount – Active military members can get 20% off tickets by showing a valid military ID at the Radio City Music Hall box office.
- Student rush tickets – A limited number of $30 rush tickets are available for students with a valid student ID starting 90 minutes before shows.
- Group sales – You can get a discount on tickets for groups of 15 people or more by booking through the Group Sales department.
- Promo codes – Radio City occasionally releases discount promo codes that can be applied to ticket purchases on their website.
- Enter lotteries – Radio City runs ticket lotteries on Twitter and Instagram before shows where winners get $30 rush tickets.
Following Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes on social media is a good way to find out about presales and other ticket offers. Signing up for their email newsletter can provide pre-sale code access too.
What Are the Best Seats for the Rockettes?
The best seats for seeing the Rockettes are in the front center orchestra section. This puts you closest to the action happening on stage. You’ll have the ideal view of the Rockettes’ famous long-line precision dance kicks. Being towards the center provides the most head-on perspective.
If front orchestra seats are not available, the next best option is the mid orchestra section. You still get a full view of the entire stage from here. The front mezzanine section is also excellent, elevated above the orchestra with a direct look at the stage.
Rear orchestra, mid mezzanine, and rear mezzanine offer more affordable tickets but your view is further from the action. You have more of a profile perspective on the Rockettes dances rather than head-on. There really isn’t a bad seat in Radio City Music Hall though since the venue is so intimate.
What Times are the Rockettes Performances?
During the Christmas season, there are up to five performances per day of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Rockettes show. Typical showtimes are:
- 11am
- 2pm
- 5pm
- 7pm or 8pm
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there is also sometimes a 4pm showtime added. Fridays and Saturdays often have a later 9pm show as well.
Matinee performances at 11am or 2pm are great options for families. Evening shows at 5pm or later are best for adults. The latest shows typically sell out first since they are the most convenient for people getting off work.
How Long is the Rockettes Show?
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes runs for approximately 90 minutes. This includes a brief intermission about halfway through the show.
It’s a fast-paced production filled with different dance numbers and musical performances. Some of the highlights people see when they go to a Rockettes show include:
- Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
- Rag Dolls number
- 12 Days of Christmas dance routine
- Living Nativity scene
- Santa arriving on stage
- Finale with Rockettes signature eye-high kicks
The entire Christmas Spectacular is a joyous theatrical experience that gets audiences into the holiday spirit.
What Should You Wear to See the Rockettes?
Radio City Music Hall has no official dress code, but people tend to dress up nicely when going to see the Rockettes. Here are some clothing style guidelines:
- Women – Cocktail dress, formal dress, skirt or dress pants with nice blouse or sweater
- Men – Suit, sport coat, dress pants with button-up shirt, sweater
- Dress shoes or dressy flats
- Dress coats for outdoor lines in cold weather
While not required, dressing up can make the experience feel more special. The building has a magnificent art deco style, so dressing elegantly suits the historic venue.
Can You Meet the Rockettes?
Unfortunately, there are no meet and greets with the Rockettes after the show. Radio City Music Hall is not able to accommodate meet and greets with the cast due to high volume.
If meeting a Rockette is on your bucket list, your best chance is to hang around the stage door exit on W. 50th St after shows. The Rockettes sometimes briefly greet fans as they are leaving. You may be able to meet a Rockette, quickly snap a selfie, and get an autograph. Just be respectful and don’t overcrowd them.
Conclusion
Seeing the iconic Rockettes perform live during the holidays is a quintessential New York City tradition. With high-kicking numbers like the Parade of Wooden Soldiers, it’s a show everyone should experience at least once. I hope this article helps you get great tickets to the Christmas Spectacular and have the perfect night seeing the legendary Rockettes on stage at Radio City Music Hall.