Radio City Rockettes Kick Off Christmas in August!

August.  It has turned out to be one of the most miserable months this year.  Granted, late Summers in New York City are rarely fun, but maybe it’s the running around with kids in tow that makes it all seem so much worse.

So imagine my surprise, and absolute cheer delight, when I received an invitation to attend a party for bloggers to join in the kick off of Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular!  Ok, several things about me.  Besides being a lover of everything New York, I am passionate of everything New York City during Christmas time.  Insanely passionate.

It didn’t take much to get the boys excited about heading over to see Santa Claus and The Rockettes either. Growing up in my home means you know all about that, and are already program to get excited at the very mention of it. The boys were giddy as we made our trip to Midtown, making faces and acting silly on the train ride there.

We arrived quickly and without much hassle, though the weather was sticky and hot. But as we entered Radio City Music Hall we forgot all about that.  This is one of the most beautiful venues in New York City.  I have visited the site many times before.  A few to see The Christmas Spectacular, a few more to see Blue’s Clues or some similar kids’ event, and even a couple of times to watch concerts from some of my favorite artists.  However, I have never been there for a private party and I have never taken a tour, all of which we were participating in that day.

The event started with a few greetings and welcomes, and than awe filled the air when the beautiful Rockettes, acompanied by Santa Clause, came out to also said high and welcomed us.  

The tour was fun.  We walked into the empty seating area and watched as the stage was being set up for an upcoming show.  I managed to hear our Tour Guide tell us that Radio City Music Hall is the largest indoor theatre in the world.  I also heard him say that the gold stage curtain is the largest in the world and the marquee is as long as a full NYC block, and though he shared so many more interesting tidbits with us about this amazing space and its history, I honestly can’t say I heard much more. This due to the fact that I have two boys who refuse to stay seated for more than a minute each.

Nevertheless it was fun walking through the tunnels leading under the stage and through corridors where I imagined dancers and musicians, performers and many more theatre workers hustled and bustled during a show. 

There was an opportunity to take a photo with Santa and a Rockette after the tour, however, my boys, though fascinated by the man in the red suit, are still not loving the idea of sitting on his lap.  I am hoping that by the time the Holidays get closer they might get over that a little.

We later sat to have lunch, tried chatting with friends…my sons were able to catch up with some of their buddies and make new ones.  There was even a table set up where the kids could decorate cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery! Delicious! 

All the while some of The Rockettes walked by the tables and graciously greeted everyone. These women are absolutely gorgeous, standing in their incredible outfits, tall and beautiful, it was no wonder my 4 year old resorted to making funny faces at second one of them started talking to him!

But the event didn’t end when we left, which seemed to come by so quickly.  As we made our way out to 6th Avenue we could see and hear Santa as he prepared to greet the huge crowd waiting for him outside.  The street was closed and after a visit from New York Giants kicker, Lawrence Tynes, and New York Jets players, Damien Woody and Dustin Keller, The Rockettes came out and performed, showing off their amazing style and awesome kicks.

 

Somehow, and it always amazes me how quickly these things are done in New York City, the organizers managed to get almost every spectator to form a huge chorus line which spanned down an entire block, and consisted of four rows of people, and with a simple count down, there it was: the longest kick line I had ever seen in my entire life.  It was wonderful!  And just went I thought it couldn’t get any better, we heard an awesome BOOM! and within seconds the street looked as if it was being covered in white, beautiful snow.  Yes, it was confetti, but the sight and joy in the air made it feel very much like New York City does around Christmas.

And so there we were, celebrating Christmas in August, with hundreds of New Yorkers, Stanta, The Rockettes, in front of Radio City Music Hall.  The perfect Adventure on this hot, humid, Summer day!

Watch a video of the event here!

Tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular are on sale now. You can purchase tickets here. In my opinion, when it comes to Christmas and all it celebrations in New York City, there is absolutely, nothing, nowhere, like it.

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Tags: Holidays, nyc
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