This season is all about traditions. Decorating cookies with a grandparent. Singing carols around the piano. Wearing matching pajamas while watching holiday movies.
New York City has its own traditions, too. The lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Dazzling window displays along Fifth Avenue. Ice skating in iconic rinks from Bryant Park to Central Park.
This year, help your students start a new tradition. Experiential giving has been on the rise, and sharing a Broadway show during a student group trip might just spark something unforgettable for a young traveler.
Most traditions, after all, are meant to be shared. Whether it’s family around a table or friends gathered around a tree, these moments are special because they are experienced side by side—gathering in the same room, singing the same songs, laughing at the same stories. And in that way, Broadway fits right in; a shared story unfolding in real time, an audience reacting as one, and a memory that belongs to everyone who was there.
Along with Broadway Inbound, we’ve come up with a few New York holiday traditions and Broadway shows that are perfect for sharing this season. Broadway Inbound specializes in group sales, and as part of the Shubert Organization—Broadway’s oldest producer—they know a thing or two about tradition.
A Theater Trip They’ll Never Forget – Browse student-friendly Broadway shows on Student Travel Pro and book the best group deals through Broadway Inbound.
Gliding
MJ The Musical kicks off the fun with a thrilling, behind-the-scenes look at Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The show dives into the creative process, personal history, and iconic performances that shaped one of the most influential artists of all time. With jaw-dropping choreography and the songs students already know by heart, it’s the kind of high-energy experience that leaves everyone buzzing as they step back into the city streets.
And after seeing those legendary moves onstage, you can try out a few of your own—moonwalk included—on one of New York City’s famous ice rinks. Holiday movies set in NYC almost always feature an ice-skating scene, and for good reason. Gliding under the twinkling lights at Rockefeller Center, skating through the snowy beauty of Central Park’s Wollman Rink, or circling Bryant Park’s Winter Village surrounded by holiday shops feels pure seasonal magic. These sparkling outdoor rinks offer the perfect backdrop to keep the energy up and the holiday tradition-making going.
Beacons
The Great Gatsby musical sweeps audiences into the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties, where wild parties, shimmering fashion, and infectious jazz rhythms fill every corner of the stage. This spirited adaptation brings Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby, and the rest of Fitzgerald’s unforgettable characters to life, diving into Gatsby’s mysterious allure and the hope that fuels his every move. The iconic green light at the end of Daisy’s dock—Gatsby’s symbol of unreachable dreams—glows at the heart of the story, guiding a tale of ambition, longing, and the search for belonging. Set against an opulent backdrop and driven by toe-tapping, jazz-infused performances, the show invites students to explore themes that feel both timeless and surprisingly fresh.
After stepping out of Gatsby’s dazzling world—where the Roaring Twenties shimmered with optimism, excess, and big dreams—a visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree offers a meaningful counterpoint. First erected by construction workers during the Great Depression, the tree began as a modest symbol of hope and togetherness in one of the nation’s hardest moments. Today it stands as New York’s beloved holiday beacon, towering over the plaza and glowing with thousands of sparkling lights. Surrounded by music, skaters, and the energy of the season, students experience a tradition rooted in resilience and community—proof that even as decades pass, light and hope continue to bring people together.
Spellbound
The holiday magic on Fifth Avenue is truly something to behold. As you stroll down this iconic street, you’ll be captivated by whimsical window displays, each telling its own unique festive story—a tradition that has delighted visitors for generations. Just when you think it can’t get any brighter, Saks Fifth Avenue takes it up a notch with its mesmerizing light show, where synchronized lights dance to the sound of holiday classics. It’s a spellbinding spectacle that fills the city night with joy and wonder.
Continuing the magic indoors, step into the world of wizards with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This dazzling theatrical experience picks up Harry’s story nineteen years after the original series, exploring themes of friendship, family, and the challenges of legacy. With jaw-dropping special effects and beloved characters brought vividly to life, it’s a show that captures the same sense of awe and wonder as the holiday lights outside. For student groups, it’s not just a performance—it’s a shared journey into a magical world, creating memories and traditions that can last long after the curtain falls.
Broadway for the Holidays
New York City’s holiday magic isn’t just something to see—it’s something to experience together. From the glittering stages of Broadway to the twinkling lights of Fifth Avenue, the city offers moments that spark joy, wonder, and connection. Whether students are moonwalking across ice rinks, chasing the green light with Gatsby, or stepping into a world of wizardry, each tradition and performance is amplified when shared with others.
This season, let Broadway Inbound help you make a new tradition for your group. They specialize in creating seamless, unforgettable experiences for student groups—from securing tickets to arranging group-friendly schedules and insider access. Explore the city, celebrate its stories, and enjoy Broadway shows, iconic holiday sights, and festive activities that are perfectly tailored for students. With Broadway Inbound guiding the way, your group can create shared memories and traditions that will last far beyond the holiday season.
A Theater Trip They’ll Never Forget – Browse student-friendly Broadway shows on Student Travel Pro and book the best group deals through Broadway Inbound.
