Christmas carols in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, played by hundreds of tuba and euphonium players: that’s TubaChristmas. And you can do more than listen. You can sing along, too.
What to expect
This concert puts the low brass instruments you’d usually hear as part of an orchestra front and center. Musicians of different ages gather at Rockefeller Center to play familiar Christmas songs together. With the Christmas tree right behind them, it’s also an easy concert to combine with a visit to Rockefeller Center.
The repertoire includes Christmas classics such as “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” During the sing-along rounds, you hear the instruments play the tune first, then the audience joins in on the next round. You don’t need to play an instrument to take part in that.
And this is where TubaChristmas began: the first concert took place on the Rockefeller Center ice rink in 1974. Tuba player Harvey Phillips created it as a tribute to his teacher William J. Bell. Today, TubaChristmas concerts take place in many other cities, too.
Good to know
- Listening is free, and the concert is suitable for families.
- Allow about an hour for your visit. The exact concert length can vary.
- The concert is outdoors. Dress warmly if you plan to stand and listen for a while.
- Arrive a little early if you want a good view of the musicians. The area around the Christmas tree is already busy.
