How to Score Broadway Bargains This Holiday Season

Paul Kolnik

Yes, the show does go on—even on Christmas Day.

There's no better time of year to score to splurge on Book of Mormon tickets than the holiday season. If you're traveling for the holidays to New York's neon-lit heart, you probably won't beat the crowds (a Broadway representative revealed that Christmas week is historically very well attended by theater-goers), but you could end up giving the most memorable gift ever—and definitely having an authentic New York experience (refusing to pay retail value; waiting in line) along the way.

As always, a number of a number of top Broadway shows are performing on Christmas Day, including Wicked, Spring Awakening, and the recently opening hit The Color Purple,starring Jennifer Hudson.

Whether you’re giving the gift of live theater, or looking to actually spend the holiday celebrating partaking in a perennial New York attraction, there’s no reason to shut off the Christmas lights or cancel your New Years dinner reservation. Just take our advice, be patient, and you can see the best shows in the business this holiday season—without paying full price.

Buy Broadway for the Kids

Give your son, daughter, niece, or nephew a ticket to a Broadway show this year, and could pay as little as the price for one ticket when you join them (a very merry Christmas to you, too!). Kids Night on Broadway—February 9, 2016—is a great opportunity to introduce little ones in your life to your favorite musical (Fiddler on the Roof, Les Miz) or help them experience their Disney dreams (The Lion King, Aladdin). When accompanied by a full-paying adult, kids 18 and under get in free.

Get Cheap TKTS

Everyone knows about the TKTS Discount Booth in Times Square. But don’t forget to check out the Seaport District booth and the one in Downtown Brooklyn: all the locations offer same-day tickets discounted as much as 50 percent off the regular price and next-day discounts on matinees—but the Seaport and Brooklyn spots are less likely to boast those hour-long lines. Check Times Square on Christmas Eve, or the Times Square and Seaport booths on Christmas Day for awesome day-of deals. Extend the holiday cheer into 2016 by checking in on New Years Day—all locations will be open at that time.

Rush the Box Office

Rush tickets aren’t just for students. Looking for a Christmas miracle? Head to the box office of your dream show and get in line for rush or lottery tickets. Aladdin, for example (playing at 8 p.m. on Christmas Day) starts a lottery for $30 tickets two-and-a-half hours before the performance, and picks winners two hours before. At opening, Chicago (also showing at 8 p.m. on Christmas) offers a limited number of $37 tickets to that day’s show. If you’re really on Santa’s nice list, you may score $25 front-row tickets to School of Rock: The Musical at an in-person lottery. Also check out cheap standing room deals (wear your coziest winter stockings) and online lottery systems. 

Melanie Lieberman is the Assistant Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn.