Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
A guide to great alternative holiday musical events in NYC this month
By
Ed Yim
Published Dec 7, 2023
Modified Dec 11, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Courtesy of the artist
By
Ed Yim
Published Dec 7, 2023
Modified Dec 11, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Ed Yim is the chief content officer for WXQR, New York Public Radio's classical music station. We asked him to share some of his favorite holiday shows this season.
‘Tis the season for holiday concerts.
And while I love carols and Handel’s “Messiah” as much as the next person, sometimes I want something … a little different, perhaps a little more unusual.
Here are four alternative and equally compelling musical events to add to your traditional fare. Tickets for each are under $50 and some of these performances are even free.
A scene from a previous year's "Unsilent Night."
Photo by Jena Cumbo / Courtesy of "Unsilent Night"
"Unsilent Night"
Although composer Phil Kline’s "Unsilent Night" has taken place annually for over 30 years and now happens in cities across the country, its flagship event still takes place in New York.
The procession starts in Washington Square Park and makes its way to Tompkins Square, and participants can join in for free.
Bring your own boombox because Kline hands out cassettes — and everyone blasts his original, experimental music as they walk. As Kline has said, the event combines his “love for experimental electronic music and memories of Christmas caroling.” It takes place on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m., and more information can be found here.
Veronica Swift
Courtesy of the artist
"Nefesh Mountain: A Holiday Celebration!" and more
New York Public Radio’s Greene Space has an array of holiday fare this month, starting with U.S. band Nefesh Mountain playing a lineup of Hanukkah songs, holiday covers, and its usual brand of bluegrass and folk on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
The following week, Veronica Swift will perform swinging seasonal tunes on Tuesday, Dec. 19, and drag performance artist Thorgy Thor will return to mix her unique cocktail of music, fun and laughter on Wednesday, Dec. 20. The Greene Space, like Gothamist, is owned by New York Public Radio. You can learn more about all performances, and get tickets here. You can watch Nefesh Mountain and Thorgy Thor for free online at the livestream.
Nefresh Mountain
Courtesy of the artists
"Judas Maccabeus"
The American Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s oratorio "Judas Maccabaeus" on Thursday, Dec. 14 at Riverside Church — and with the combined forces of the Riverside Choir and the Bard Festival Chorale. Set amid the miracle of Hanukkah, the oratorio is a dramatization of the Jews’ struggle for freedom. This lesser-known but powerful Handel oratorio is a perfect complement to your annual “Messiah." Tickets start at $25 and you can learn more here.
"El Niño"
Photo by Nina Westervelt / Courtesy of The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
"El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered"
Make your way to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on Thursday, Dec. 21 and bask in the beauty of composer John Adams’ nativity oratorio,"El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered." The piece features the talented artists of the American Modern Opera Company in an orchestration created especially for them, and also celebrates the voices of Latin American poets and women. It is one of my favorite pieces of music and a full production comes to the Metropolitan Opera in April. The suggested ticket price for the December event is $35, and you can learn more here.
This story has been updated to include the full title of "El Nino: Nativity Reconsidered."
Tagged
washington square park
concert
Music
new york public radio
new york city
manhattan
Handel
holidays
events
things to do
art
Ed Yim
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
Spoiler alert: It's still 26.2 miles.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 2:36 p.m. ET
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .