January Shows in New York

Navigation guide

1. Top Broadway shows in January
2. Top musicals
3. Top plays
4. January premieres
5. Shows closing in January
6. Crowd favorites to start the year strong
7. Events in New York
8. Timeless shows in New York
9. Visitor tips
10. FAQs

January in New York has that sweet overlap where the holiday glow hasn’t fully faded, but the frenzy has. Broadway is quietly shifting into awards mode, performances feel razor-sharp, and with fewer tourists around, it’s noticeably easier to land genuinely great seats. It's the perfect month to get that respite from the cold through a broadway production.

January premieres in New York

New productions make their debut this January, offering fresh stories and first-look excitement to kick off the year.

• Bug (Samuel J Friedman Theatre): Previews from December 17, 2025; opening night January 8, 2026 — a Tracy Letts thriller aiming for awards attention.

New York shows closing in January

January also sees a few beloved productions take their final bow — a last call for anyone wanting to catch them before they leave Broadway.

• Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® (Radio City Music Hall): New York’s iconic precision‑dance holiday tradition, featuring glittering costumes and classic choreography, concludes its festive seasonal run on January 3, 2026.
• Beetlejuice (Marquis Theatre): The hilariously twisted musical adaptation of the Tim Burton cult film, packed with chaotic humor and supernatural flair, closes on January 3, 2026.
• The Magic Flute (Metropolitan Opera House): Mozart’s fantastical opera, reimagined with playful visuals and fairytale staging for the holidays, ends its special engagement on January 3, 2026.
• The Gazillion Bubble Show (New World Stages): This long‑running family spectacle filled with dazzling bubble artistry and interactive moments plays its final performance on January 4, 2026.
• Ragtime (Vivian Beaumont Theater): The sweeping American musical that blends history, social change, and powerful storytelling presents its final performance on January 4, 2026.
• Heathers: The Musical (New World Stages): The darkly comedic cult teen musical, known for its sharp satire and explosive fan following, closes on January 25, 2026.

Crowd favorites to start the year strong

• Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical (John Golden Theatre): A sharply written British wartime comedy that turns an absurd real spy mission into a brilliantly clever musical twist.
• Hell’s Kitchen (Shubert Theatre): Alicia Keys’ semi-autobiographical musical that follows a young woman finding her voice in New York’s heat, rhythm, and chaos.
• Buena Vista Social Club (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre): A richly staged tribute to Cuba’s musical legacy that blends memory, culture, and live instrumentation into a deeply atmospheric experience.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Lyric Theatre): A visually spectacular continuation of the Harry Potter story that delivers Broadway-level illusion and emotional storytelling in equal measure.
• The Lion King (Minskoff Theatre): A visually groundbreaking theatrical adaptation of the Disney classic that remains one of Broadway’s most stunning and universally loved productions.

Pro tips for visiting New York in January

• Layer smart: Daytime averages hover around 3–6 °C, but wind makes it feel colder — wear thermal layers, not just a heavy coat.
• Watch the wind chill: Iconic photo spots like Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square feel dramatically colder thanks to open-air gusts — gloves are non-negotiable.
• Matinees win in January: Weekday afternoon Broadway shows have lighter crowds and better seat availability than any other time of year.
• Expect snow delays: Subways stay reliable, but cabs and airport transfers can slow down during snow or slush — always add buffer time.
• Warm up indoors after 5 PM: Plan museums, observatory visits, or jazz bars for the evening when temperatures drop fastest.
• Holiday glow lingers: Winter Village at Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center rink are still open — perfect for a festive post-show stroll.
• Avoid early outdoor plans: Sunrise is freezing by the riverfront — save Brooklyn/DUMBO or Hudson Yards photos for late morning.
• Eat like a local: January is when New Yorkers reclaim the city — neighborhood spots in West Village or Nolita are crowd-free and fantastic.
• TKTS strategy: January has shorter queues than holiday season — go mid-afternoon for last-minute Broadway deals.
• Carry a power bank: Sub-zero wind + heavy phone use for tickets & navigation = battery drops faster than expected.