Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Hyped-Up Holidays

Instead of gathering around the tree at home or watching the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, try these alternative holiday events that are sure to have you rolling on the floor laughing or singing along to twisted versions of seasonal hits.


Harry Shearer and Judith Owen of 'Christmas Without Tears'  

Harry Shearer and Judith Owen Present: Christmas Without Tears (aka: Does This Tree Make Me Look Fat?)
The Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd St., nr. Park Ave.; 212-691-1900; Dec. 5 and Dec. 8
A longstanding tradition for Shearer, starting 15 years ago in Santa Monica, this show has grown into a full-blown spectacle with special guests that have included Jane Lynch and Weird Al and performers ranging from comics to sad clowns. Don’t forget the second act, which turns into a giant sing-along that gets the audience members on their feet.

Alaska 5000's Blue Christmas
Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-695-6909; Dec. 12–14
Here's one for everyone out there who doesn't consider this the most wonderful time of the year. RuPaul's Drag Race alum Alaska 5000 and her musical mystic Handsome Jeremy guarantee an utterly somber holiday show, filled with tunes of loneliness and heartbreak.

Jackie Beat on Ice
Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-695-6909; Dec. 20 and Dec. 21
Ever the hot ticket during the holidays (she's sold out her show for 13 years straight), Jackie Beat is back to sing her twisted holiday classics, like “Alcoholidays” and “A Gay in a Manger.”

Reba’s C*ntry Christmas
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St., nr. Astor Pl.; 212-539-8777; Dec. 9
Amber Martin has found her own special way to honor Queen of Country Reba McEntire this holiday season, performing a selection of her biggest songs with monologues and comedy mixed in. But don’t let the lighthearted approach fool you: Martin’s got a powerhouse voice that will warm you up on a cold winter night.

Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales: Unwrapped 2014
Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-695-6909; Dec. 8–11 and 19
After a successful run of the Off Broadway show The Vaudevillians, Jinkx Monsoon (another RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite) and Major Scales are putting on a holiday show, filled with songs like their comedic, probably boozy version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

A Murray Little Christmas
(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., nr. Thomspson St.; 212-505-3474; Dec. 13
Murray Hill, the self-described "hardest working middle-aged man in showbiz," once again brings his infamous holiday cocktail party to the stage. From skits to burlesque to songs, this night will have a little bit of everything, including a performance from the ever-bold cabaret queen Bridget Everett.

The 8th Annual Menorah Horah!
Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-414-5994; Dec. 14
Burlesque act the Schlep Sisters promise music, laughs, and latkes at the eighth year of their celebration of Hanukkah’s eight crazy nights. Joining them are guests like Little Brooklyn, Jonny Porkpie, Zoe Ziegfeld, and host Sherry Vine.

It’s a PINK Christmas
(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., nr. Thomspson St.; 212-505-3474; Dec. 21
Explore the sexy side of the holidays with this seasonal burlesque show by Scarlett James and the Pink Chardonnays. The evening promises dancing, sequins, glitter, gloves, fishnets, and, most of all, fun.

Courtney Act: 'Twas the G'Day Before Christmas
Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-695-6909; Dec. 5–7
Australian drag star Courtney is inviting you to gather around her Christmas bush, as she sings of spending the holidays down under, where the temperatures are hot and they get to celebrate a day earlier than Americans.

Holidelic Featuring Everett Bradley
Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-414-5994; Dec. 21
Bust out of your usual December groove with this night of irreverent, funk-inflected original holiday songs and adaptations of classic seasonal hits, led by E Street Band member Everett Bradley and a rotating cast of musicians and special guests.


Related: