Hear us out: There is a time and place for all the touristy concerts New York City has to offer.
We know that way too well. The city is just dripping with them. There's Jingle Ball and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and all the A-list holiday concerts, from Cyndi Lauper to Mariah Carey.
What we want to talk about, though, are the 'only in NYC' holiday shows.
We're into the shows where you can get drunk in the audience, the shows where The Nutcracker is transformed into a burlesque performance, the shows when the entire community gets together to play music on their own instruments.
There are events where New Yorkers parade around the East Village carrying boomboxes and events where all the classic holiday plays are brought to small, niche, artsy NYC stages.
Want to find out what they are? Read on to see which holiday shows only real New Yorkers will attend.
1. The Midnight Cabaret's Holiday Extravaganza (85 Avenue A)
This event, for real New Yorkers only, will feature spectacular dancers, circus performers, and live music.
Okay, so you're allowed to attend this concert even if you've traveled to get to the city. That's fine. We're just saying it's going to be a real niche, chill crowd.
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Shelly the Singing Siren will be there, shrouded by an enchanting procession of dancing girls. Yes, this will be a night of mischief-making at the Drom in the East Village.
There will be circus performers, dancers, live music and a DJ. You love dancing? You love being amazed?
Well then, this sounds perfect for you. Grab your tickets here.
2. The Nutcracker (152 North 5th Street - Brooklyn)
Do tourists see The Nutcracker in Williamsburg?
We'll go ahead and respond to that question with a resounding no. Maybe someday they will, but today is not that day.
Still, The Nutcracker is a more-than-classic holiday tale. This intricate production by Akjun Ballet Theater will just imbue that time-old, classic story with even more magic.
There will be ballerinas, dancing mice, toy soldiers coming to life, and of course the enchanting Land of Sweets. This will all collide in a captivating collaboration that you'd do well to witness.
Holiday cheer, anyone? We thought so. The magic will unfold on Friday, December 18th at 7 p.m. Get tickets here.
3. Nutcracker Rouge
austinmccormickxiv Tbt to Nutcracker Rouge at minetta lane theater. Can't wait for 2015-2016. @companyxiv #baroqueburlesque #companyxiv #xiv #nutcrackerrouge
Nutcracker Rouge is a baroque, burlesque confection. Did you ever think you'd witness a burlesque version of the age-old classic The Nutcracker?
Well, neither did we, but the phrase "only in New York," exists for a reason, you know.
There are all the staples of the old classic: the story with its plot lines we know all too well. The difference? Well, jazz music, and the tiny little fact that it's absolutely hilarious.
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Plus, there are scantily clad men, flapper women, and some seriously sexy dancing. Like, seriously. Watch the trailer, and you'll see what we mean.
This racy Nutcracker has morphed the classic play into something different, something tantalizing. You intrigued? Great. You can get tickets here.
4. A Christmas Carol (115 MacDougal Street)
So maybe the time old classic about Ebenezer Scrooge's foray into his past would be touristy, but that'd only be true if it were happening at a much larger theater.
Instead, this addition of the classic play is going down at the cozy Players Theatre in Greenwhich Village. So you'll be nestled right up against the holiday action.
The Players Theare's presentation, which The New York Times said "completely captures Dickens' vision," allows you to get up close and personal with some of NYC's artistic greats, while you watch Scrooge get re-imbued with a Christmas spirit.
Plus, the tickets are a really relaxed $22. Holla! Don't be a scrooge. Get them here.
,5. The Imbible: Christmas Carol Cocktails
We were thinking going to see a Christmas play would probably a really great opportunity to spend a long stretch of time sitting next to someone special, holding hands, and building an attraction. Plus, of course, you’d have the chance to get all stoked on that holiday cheer.
We're sure there are other hilarious plays in other parts of the country where you can watch the construction of holiday cocktails and then toss 'em back right afterwards, but we haven't heard about them yet.
We're pretty sure the phrase only in NYC applies here too.
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When we came across The Imbible: Christmas Carol Cocktails, we were more than stoked. It combines our two favorite things: alcohol and holiday delight.
You’ll watch the three Christmas spirits teach Scrooge how to make three different cocktails and then-- this is the best part --you’ll get to drink them. It’s the funniest blast of an interactive play since Sleep No More. Buy your tickets here.
6. Unsilent Night (Washington Square Park)
This is Christmas caroling in the modern age. This is Christmas caroling in NYC.
During Unsilent Night, a raucous crowd will gather in Washington Square Park carrying boomboxes. Then, that same crowd will rock all the way down to Tompkins Square Park less than a mile away.
Do you want to be a part of the massive chorus of boomboxes? We do. Well, at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday December 12th, Phil Kline will hand out a limited number of vintage boomboxes from his collection, and cassettes and CDs for those that bring their own.
Should you hit NYC's vintage shops before you come? We're going to go with probably. It's a wild, bumping, classically NYC way to carol. Learn more information about participating here.
7. Make Music Winter
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Make Music Winter was actually inspired by Unsilent Night, funny enough. It's a free, outdoor musical event held every year on December 21st, and it turns its audience members into music makers.
This year's schedule hasn't yet been posted, but last year's lineup included events where the audience made music with their hands, their feet, and their iPhones.
Audience members played on kalimbas, chimes, hand bells, and all their brass, bagpipes, and string instruments.
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We think this collaborative experience is very NYC; like absolutely dripping with the flavor of this city. If you'd love nothing more than to rock out with other NYC musicians, then this is the event for you.
The schedule for this year's event will be posted here later this month, and we'll keep you updated as we learn more.
Check out 6 Ways to Celebrate the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (Without Actually Going).
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]