The holiday season is one of the best times to visit New York City, and what better way to enjoy the season than with a Broadway show? New productions take the stage even as 2024 begins to wind down. The starry All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich begins previews in December, while Cult of Love, Gypsy and Eureka Day all celebrate their opening nights. And of course, Elf: The Musical is the perfect Broadway and Christmas combo for the whole family! Need more help planning your holiday visit? Don't miss our guide to Celebrating the Holidays in New York City!
Here is your complete guide to the best shows on the Broadway boards in December of 2024.
Broadway's Best Selling Shows
The Top 10 best selling shows currently playing on Broadway. For a deeper look, check out our complete breakdown of Broadway's Best Selling Shows.
| SHOW | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wicked |
| 2 | The Lion King |
| 3 | Hamilton |
| 4 | Elf the Musical |
| 5 | Sunset Boulevard |
| 6 | The Outsiders |
| 7 | Aladdin |
| 8 | MJ The Musical |
| 9 | Gypsy |
| 10 | The Great Gatsby |
Based on gross sales for performances during the week ending December 15, 2024. Check out our complete list of Broadway's Best Selling Shows.
The Hottest Shows on Broadway This December
A chill is in the air, the Christmas lights are bright and Broadway is hopping with the excitement of the holiday season! From new productions of classic favorites to starry new plays and beyond, here are some of the hottest shows to see on Broadway this December.
Elf: The Musical
Now Open; Closes January 4, 2025
Buddy the Elf is back to show the Big Apple the true meaning of Christmas! The hilarious and heartwarming musical, based on the holiday favorite film of the same name, returns to Broadway for a limited engagement.
All In: Comedy About Love
Now in Previews; Opens December 22, 2025
John Mulaney leads a starry rotating cast in the stage adaptation of Simon Rich's hilarious short stories about dating, heartbreak and marriage.
Cult of Love
Now Open
Second Stage presents the Broadway premiere of Emmy Award-nominee Leslye Headland's play, following the Dahl family as they return home for the holidays.
Eureka Day
Now Open; Closes February 2, 2025
Jonathan Spector’s wildly relevant and bitingly funny play set in a private California elementary school arrives on Broadway after a successful London run.
Gypsy
Now Open
Audra McDonald returns to Broadway as Momma Rose in this classic musical from Arthur Laurents, Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim.
Best Broadway Shows, From Screen to Stage
It can be a blast to see classic movies, and their legendary characters, come to life on stage! Here's a selection of film faves that have made their way to Broadway.For a full list of shows that have been adapted from movies, head to our Best Broadway Shows, From Screen to Stage guide.
The Outsiders
Oklahoma comes to Broadway as Ponyboy and the gang take the stage in a thrilling new musical that explores the timeless themes of chosen family and more that have kept both S.E. Hinton’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s motion picture classics for decades.
(Photo: Matthew Murphy)
Back to the Future
This is heavy! Back to the Future has made its way to the stage in a high-voltage adaptation by the film’s creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past and send himself... back to the future. Catch it before it closes on January 5, 2025!
(Photo: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)
Chicago
Get ready for some razzle dazzle! Though Kander and Ebb's classic musical originated on stage, Chicago was brought to the screen in 2002 in an adaptation that went on to win six Academy Awards, bringing the story to an even wider audience. The tale of Vaudevillian murderesses Roxie and Velma is still going strong, having just celebrated its 28th year on Broadway!
(Photo: Jeremy Daniel)
Best Broadway Shows for Kids
For a complete breakdown of age-appropriate shows and what you can expect when attending, check out our Best Broadway Shows For Kids in 2024 guide.
Below are the official age recommendations issued by the producers of each show.
Ages 6+
Ages 10+
Broadway Shows Closing Soon
Below are shows that will be closing the curtain this month but you can head here to see all of the shows nearing the end of their Broadway runs.Closed December 8, 2024
Featuring music by Elton John and Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, Tammy Faye tells the story of Tammy Faye Bakker, a traveling preacher’s wife who beamed into homes with a message of hope... and stole the country’s heart!
Water For Elephants
Closed on December 8, 2024
The circus comes to Broadway! Sarah Gruen’s best-selling novel comes to vivid life in this unique, spectacle-filled musical adaptation.
The Notebook
Closed on December 15, 2024
Allie and Noah arrive on stage in the musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling romantic drama, featuring a score by Ingrid Michaelson
Closed December 15, 2024
Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow return to Broadway in Jen Silverman's witty and profound comedy about two women from vastly different backgrounds navigating the complexities of identity, morality, and the promise of reinvention.
The Hills of California
Closes December 22, 2024
Jez Butterworth's new play looking back on the story of the singing Webb sisters arrives on Broadway direct from London, directed by Sam Mendes.
Swept Away
Closes December 29, 2024
Featuring the music of The Avett Brothers, Swept Away tells the tale of four sailors as they face reckoning following the sinking of their whaling ship off the coast of Massachusetts.
