How is December here already? It seriously seems like this year flew by.
If you’re trying to wrap your head around the fast-approaching holiday season and need something to take your mind off the craziness, we’ve got just the thing for you.
We haven’t wanted to go to this many concerts in such a short time in years. There are so many fantastic shows that’ll have you asking for your holiday present early. Or just gift these to your friends so you can go to the concerts you like and get presents out of the way, too—win-win, amirite?!
1. Action Bronson (December 6 @ Terminal 5)
Lauded by the New York Times as “one of the most promising prospects in New York hip-hop,” this rapper used to be a chef, and while he still heats up a kitchen every once in awhile, this show will be strictly musical. We’re sure he’ll still bring the heat though.
Here’s hoping he cooks something up for us to nibble on in the brief moments when we’re not singing along.
You’ll find Terminal 5 in Hell’s Kitchen at 610 West 56th Street.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (December 6 @ Barclay’s Center)
Tim Burton’s iconic movie brings our two favorite holidays (Halloween and Christmas, obvi) into one fun sing-along creation. And now the big screen is getting even bigger.
Barclay’s plays host to a night of live music in sync with the movie itself as it screened in the background). Stars Danny Elfman (the original voice of Jack Skellington and the film’s composer), Catherine O’Hara (Sally) and Ken Page (Oogie Boogie) will sing live with a full orchestra accompaniment.
Barclay’s is also transforming the space before the concert even begins, offering a range of activities like an audience costume contest and fun photo opp.
Barclay’s is at 620 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
3. Z100 Jingle Ball (December 8 @ Madison Square Garden)
Jingle Ball’s lineup is always versatile enough to appeal to pretty much any taste. This year’s includes Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, The Chainsmokers, and Fall Out Boy.
Regardless of who you’re coming to hear, you’ll always have at least one artist. And TBH, this year’s headliners all sound perfect, from Ed Sheeran to Taylor Swift to The Chainsmokers. They also have crooner Sam Smith to make us all swoon and old-school-but-still-incredible Fall Out Boy. How could you go wrong?
Madison Square Garden is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza and 32nd Street.
4. Cyndi Lauper (December 9 @ Beacon Theater)
Pretty sure there isn’t a soul who doesn’t know the words to at least one Cyndi Lauper song. She is an icon and still kills it year-in and year-out.
We will always go back to listen to her time after time as long as she keeps delivering the flawless voice and fun show we have come to expect and love from her.
You’ll find the Beacon Theatre at 2124 Broadway on the Upper West Side.
5. SZA (December 10 @ Brooklyn Steel, December 11 @ Irving Plaza)
For the R&B fans who need a little more than Jay-Z (or maybe just something not quite as pricey), Grammy-nominated SZA has you beyond covered. The alt-R&B, neo soulstress is going on tour to promote her same-titled album, CTRL.
And as an added bonus, the celeb has been known to perform on stage in her PJs, so we encourage you to attend in the same manner. Pajama party anyone?
Irving Plaza is located at 17 Irving Place between 15th and 16th Streets.
6. Andrea Bocelli with Kristin Chenoweth (December 10 @ Madison Square Garden)
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has garnered fans worldwide and Kristen Chenoweth is always a musical delight. Bocelli, blind since the age of 12, writes and records his own touching melodies.
As for Chenoweth, if you who don’t know her, she originated the role of Glinda in Wicked and also Glee.
Fans of classical and Broadway tunes will absolutely freak out over this dynamic pair. It’s definitely worth the price of admission because your show is basically two-for-one.
7. Fresh 102.7 Holiday Jam (December 13 @ Beacon Theater)
In a nod to Jingle Ball, Fresh 102.7 is having its own holiday kickoff and recruiting some old-school favorites like Backstreet Boys and Fergie. For all you 90’s babies, we’re talking Backstreet coming back and Fergalicious jams.
They’re also collaborating with Adorama to create a photo booth for attendees to take photos that will be live-fed to the screens inside the Beacon Theatre, so concert-goers can really be larger-than-life.
The Beacon Theatre is at 2124 Broadway between 74th and 75th Streets.
8. Ingrid Michaelson (December 14 @ Terminal 5)
Michaelson rounded up all of her holiday songs into one album packed with seasonal cheer, and we’re betting her concert will be full of them, too.
She’s bringing her talents from her recent stint on Broadway in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 back to the concert arena.
We can probably also expect some great oldies from the popular singer, including hits like Girls Chase Boys and The Way I Am. And us girls could all use a good dose of Michaelson’s feminism.
9. Bear Grillz (December 15 @ PlayStation Theater)
The DJ who kept his identity a secret is finally out in the open after years of hiding in a costume.
He’s also self-taught and learned all his skills in music production from Youtube. So basically, he’s all of us, but with a lot more motivation.
And for those EDM-lovers, this concert will be the best thing to happen to you this holiday season. Dance the night away.
The PlayStation Theater is at 1515 Broadway and 44th Street.
10. Jon McLaughlin (December 17 @ Highline Ballroom)
He may not hold the official title of piano man, but this man knows his way around a piano. His debut album, Indiana, was released 10 years ago and since then, he’s provided music for TV shows, movies, and adoring fans.
His sultry tunes and smooth melodies are perfect for a date night, and his passionate music will make for one great show.
Highline Ballroom is located at 431 West 16th Street.
11. Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti (December 17 & 18 @ Terminal 5)
Ahead of their upcoming show, Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti just released a single called “Squad (Firearm).” Lil Uzi is also one of the masterminds behind “Bad and Bougie,” the super-catchy recent release with Migos. And Playboi Carti is known as much for his hits as his fashion sense.
You can expect these and other hits from both hip-hop moguls at their upcoming show at the trendy Terminal 5. And there’s an added bonus of wondering what costume changes Playboi Carti will bring.
12. Leslie Odom, Jr. (December 19 @ Lincoln Center)
The up-and-coming, swoon-worthy Broadway man is delighting fans with his smooth-as-silk vocals in a one-man concert that will knock their socks off.
If our fandom of the show Smash taught us anything about him it’s that he’s got pipes that will delight the pickiest music critics.
You won’t want to miss this Broadway star in a rare opportunity to see him perform his favorites tunes without shelling out Broadway prices.
13. Pentatonix (December 19-21 @ Beacon Theater)
Pentatonix—aka PTX—has officially risen from their humble YouTube beginnings and are now certified superstars, especially post-Pitch Perfect 2. The breakout Acappella group gained fame when non-instrumental music started to rise in popularity and they just keep getting bigger!
Hum along, sing along, dance along. It still sounds the same as music with a backup band, which is pretty damn impressive.
14. Billy Joel (December 20 @ Madison Square Garden)
Billy Joel’s standing concert series at Madison Square Garden is nothing new, but that doesn’t keep the crowds from coming time and again. The piano man is striking NYC again and bringing the hits we all know and love, like his namesake, “Piano Man,” “Vienna” and more.
This particular concert is a replacement for a canceled show this summer, and here’s hoping it comes with some additional holiday melodies.
15. Sutton Foster (December 21 @ Lincoln Center)
The famed star of stage and screen is gracing us with a rare treat, a one-woman concert. You may know her from Broadway or TV shows like Gilmore Girls, and Younger.
If you’ve seen her perform, you know she has the pipes to support her own show, and she doesn’t go on tour often, so you’ll want to catch her while you can!
She’s performing in Lincoln Center’s Appel Room at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza.
16. Tony Danza: Standards and Stories (December 21 @ NYCB Theatre, Westbury)
Another rare concert opportunity, Danza is well-known for his roles on TV, but he has also starred in the Broadway show, Honeymoon in Vegas in 2014. If that’s not enough to sway you to see him, the fact that he’s freakin’ Tony Danza should!
You can find the venue at 960 Brush Hollow Road in Westbury, NY.
[Feature Image Courtesy Billboard]