The holidays are coming, and just like every year, there’s a number of holiday concerts and shows taking the country by storm. The events range from classics that have stood the test of time like the Nutcracker to Mariah Carey’s first holiday tour since 2019.
To celebrate all things holiday, we analyzed the top holiday concerts, shows and the jolliest cities in the country. Read on to find out who might just dethrone Mariah Carey as the Queen of Christmas, which holiday shows are the most popular and the merriest metros in the country.
New Queen of Christmas
In the decades since Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” first hit the airwaves, no other holiday song or solo act has achieved anywhere near the same holiday clout. That is until Lauren Daigle rushed onto the holiday scene.
Singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle has risen through the ranks as the top solo artist with a holiday tour, surpassing Mariah Carey’s 2022 holiday tour with stops at venues like Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena and New York City’s Madison Square Garden. With five shows, including three at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, Lauren Daigle is arguably the new Queen of Christmas.
Perhaps the most electric holiday concert out there, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) delivers a unique holiday concert that combines elements of classical music, rock and plenty of seasonal cheer. This holiday classic is the most popular group, based on this year’s holiday tour announcements and tickets.
Pentatonix continues their legacy as one of the holiday’s most magical shows, checking in as the second most popular holiday group in 2022. Pentatonix’s Christmas concerts feature renditions of some of the most popular Christmas classics mixed with original songs that have become instant holiday music staples over the years.
Top Holiday Shows
Some of this year’s top holiday shows are specific to cities like New York or Chicago; however, many top holiday concerts are touring acts, meaning they should be coming to a theater near you. Nationwide, these are the top three most popular Christmas Shows:
- The Nutcracker
- A Christmas Carol
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In New York City, the city’s longest-running Christmastime tradition, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, is popular.
Most Festive Metros
Are you ready to be met with holiday cheer? We compiled data from holiday shows in our theater category and ranked each state by the total number of shows to determine the merriest metros.
It’s no surprise that New York City is at the top of the list as the quintessential stop for holiday entertainment. With its countless entertainment options, this bustling city that never sleeps is the most festive metro in the country.
As the third-biggest city in the United States, it should come as no surprise that Chicago is also one of the most festive metros come holiday season. Washington, D.C., Denver and Boston round out the top five most festive metros.
- New York City
- Chicago
- Washington, D.C.
- Denver
- Boston
- Houston
- Minneapolis
- Dallas
- Seattle
- Los Angeles
Buy Christmas Show Tickets and Get Rewarded
If you’re looking to attend a holiday show with family or friends this year, take advantage of Vivid Seats Rewards. When you buy 10 tickets, you get the 11th on us!
*Excluding taxes, fees, and processing costs