Dan's Papers - December 14, 2007 - When In Manhattan... by Amanda Kludt

The holiday season is one of the best times to come into the city for the shopping - the window displays, the ice skating and decorations are all over the city. However, it's also the perfect time to see a seasonal show or performance. From ballet to classical orchestra pieces and holiday pops, there's a show for anyone wanting to add a little culture to their holiday season.

First, we should look at the classics. Every year families and couples, music lovers and ballet enthusiasts come to see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the New York Pops and performances of the Nutcracker. Each can be seen again and again and become traditions for many families. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular showcases the famous high kicking Rockettes, impressive and dazzling sets, and fun musical numbers and leaves audiences pumped up about both the city and the holiday season. The show includes a trip to the North Pole, a new take on the Nativity, and a mock-up of Times Square, so any family that can't handle the cheese factor (or the religious elements) might opt for a different holiday event. Tickets range from $40-$250 and performances take place all day every day until December 30.

For something less showy but still heavy on the holiday nostalgia my top recommendation is The New York Pops. The largest independent symphonic pops orchestra performs over two dozen holiday favorites with conductor Doc Severinsen and a 150 person choir at Carnegie Hall on December 15 and 16. Taking in the New York Pops satisfies any craving for classically performed holiday music and is a great way to make an affordable visit to Carnegie Hall over the holidays. Tickets range from $27-$98.

Now one of the biggest cultural holiday traditions is making an annual pilgrimage to see the Nutcracker, and in Manhattan you have a number of options if you want to make the trip. One of the best performances takes place at Lincoln Center with the New York City Ballet. The choreography, the oversized sets, and the gorgeous dancing make this show one of the best in the country. A good portion of the tickets are already sold out, but you'll find a number of open seats later in the month and after Christmas. Tickets are $30-$120. A shorter and more affordable choice can be found with the New York Theater Ballet at the Florence Gould Hall. Tickets will only run you $25-$30 and the performance takes no longer than an hour. Note that these performances only run in the morning and afternoon, so you'll want to make an early trip to see them.

Another major holiday tradition taking place at Lincoln Center every Christmas season is the New York Philharmonic's performance of Handel's Messiah at Lincoln Center. The orchestra has been performing the most famous oratorio in the Western world - not to mention Handel's best creation - for almost 80 years, and attending it has become a holiday tradition for both religious and non New York families and visitors. Nicholas McGegan of New York Choral Artists will conduct the show, which includes the gorgeous "Hallelujah." Tickets range from $29-$102, and performances run the entire weekend of the 19th.

If you're not interested in strings and trumpets, plies and tutus, enjoy a more rockin' show at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. On December 15 and 16 recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lead singer of the Ronettes, Ronnie Spector will perform her famous rock and roll Christmas songs including "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" along with numerous others that you'll immediately recognize from countless holiday albums. Tickets are $30 in advance, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

But if singing and dancing, classical music and top-notch ballet don't appeal to your family or friends, the city is a host to countless other holiday shows and events on Broadway and in small clubs and theaters. And if you still aren't interested in buying tickets and seeing a show, it's worth it to at least come in on a weekend to walk around, take in the heightened holiday energy of the city (especially in the heavily trafficked shopping streets) and appreciate the sites before we hit the upcoming cold and unforgiving months of winter.