Rockettes Debut Darker, High-Tech Tap Number for 2026 Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Rockettes are unveiling a new, technologically enhanced tap number for their 2026 Christmas Spectacular, marking the first significant choreography update in eight years. The routine, set to the classic holiday song "Carol of the Bells," aims for a "darker, moodier" feel, merging traditional festive elements with advanced production techniques.

This new performance promises to immerse the audience in the sound and precision of the Rockettes like never before. Wireless microphones embedded in the dancers' tap shoes will amplify their rhythms, synchronized with the Sphere Immersive Sound system to create the sensation of ringing bells. Complementing the auditory experience, new overhead cameras will capture the dancers' formations from unique perspectives, highlighting the precision of routines like the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the "New York at Christmas" scene.

"These cameras present the Rockettes in a way people have never seen before," said Jessica Tuttle, Radio City Music Hall’s Production Executive Vice President. "You will see how straight their line is... as well as the formation of circle kicks... from above."

The choreography for this new number, titled "Ring," was developed by Emmy-nominated choreographer Chloe Arnold, founder of the tap group Syncopated Ladies. This marks the first new tap number introduced to the Christmas Spectacular in two decades. Arnold described the creative process as experimental, with the goal of making the dancers themselves embody the sound of bells through their tapping.

"When I saw it for the first time, I got chills and cried," Arnold stated. "We threw all the spaghetti at the wall to see what spoke to us. We played ‘Carol of the Bells’ in our backroom and got the idea to make the tapping of dance become the sound of the bells—to make the Rockettes be the bells."

Beyond the choreography and sound, the Rockettes will also feature new costumes designed for both visual impact and performance durability. These outfits incorporate over 600 Swarovski crystals and are engineered to withstand the demands of performing up to five shows daily. Technical elements, such as 3D-printed headpieces, are also part of the updated design.

Despite the introduction of new technology and a more contemporary aesthetic, the production team assures audiences that beloved traditional numbers will remain a core part of the 90-minute show. Danelle Morgan, a Rockette dance captain, noted the increased complexity of the new tap choreography, emphasizing the dancers' efforts to translate intricate footwork and energy through the new microphone system. The Rockettes have been a New York holiday tradition since 1925, moving to Radio City Music Hall in 1932.