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Highlights from the 16th Annual New York City Christmas

December 16, 2025

A Night to Remember!

The 16th Annual New York City Christmas: A Concert to Benefit Arts Ignite is officially in the books — and what a night it was! On Monday, December 8, we gathered once again at Joe’s Pub at The Public to celebrate music, community, and the power of storytelling and raised a record-breaking $135,000 in support of free arts education for young people.

Conceived, produced, and music directed by Lynne Shankel, and directed by Jenn Rapp, this year’s concert marked a joyful milestone in a beloved tradition. The evening featured fresh, original renditions of holiday favorites performed by an extraordinary lineup of Broadway artists, filling the room with warmth, generosity, and holiday spirit.

This year’s concert featured performances by Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid, The Phantom of the Opera), Gerard Canonico (Be More Chill), Ashley Perez Flanagan (Freestyle Love Supreme), Chester Gregory (Motown: The Musical, Hairspray), Tamar Greene (Hamilton), Lindsay Roberts Greene (The Phantom of the Opera), Tarra Conner Jones (Some Like It Hot), Claire Kwon (Maybe Happy Ending), Lauren Marcus (Be More Chill), Andy Mientus (Wicked), Cheeyang Ng (MĀYĀ), Shea Renne (Hadestown, Allegiance), Stephanie Reuning-Scherer (Bat Boy: The Musical), Dee Roscioli (Death Becomes Her), Ximone Rose (Into the Woods, Once On This Island), Christopher James Tamayo (Maybe Happy Ending), and Kay Trinidad (Hadestown).

Additional performances were given by Audrey Blaze, Yeman Brown (The Queen of Versailles), Emma Carlisle, Travis Leland (The Queen of Versailles), Elisabeth Nordeen, Eli Shugart, Sean Stack (Water for Elephants), Eli Thomas, and Jake Bentley Young (The Queen of Versailles).

Leading the band was Lynne Shankel (keyboards), joined by Rich Mercurio (drums), Brian Hamm (bass), Andy Zinsmeister (guitar), Dan Hartington (guitar), Colin Brigstocke (trumpet), Kristy Norter (saxophone), Dave Richards (saxophone), Chris Smucker (saxophone/flute), Laura Bontrager (cello), and Maxim Mosten (violin).

Following the concert, the celebration continued with a festive post-show after-party performance hosted by Arts Ignite founder Mary-Mitchell Campbell, with special guests Marissa Rosen and Marty Thomas, sending audiences into the night on a high note.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this evening possible — our performers, band, creative team, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and every person who showed up in support of young people and the arts. Because of you, Arts Ignite will continue to provide free, transformative arts education to thousands of young people in 2026 and beyond.

Thank you for making this year’s New York City Christmas our most impactful yet.