Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

Ariana Grande will finally tour again next year, and fans in Los Angeles are in for something special: The Oscar-nominated Wicked star is bringing her Eternal Sunshine Tour to L.A. for five nights of arena magic—split between the Crypto.com Arena and Kia Forum—that promise to feel both intimate and gigantic.  This is her first tour since the 2019 Sweetener World Tour, and it’s in support of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, and its deluxe edition, Brighter Days Ahead. The tour kicks off June 6, 2026, in Oakland before Los Angeles gets a five-night run that feels like a homecoming. Is it too early to call it the highlight of the summer?

The revolution came fast! New Broadway musical The Queen of Versailles, starring and co-produced by Kristin Chenoweth, set a closing date of January 4, 2026, after opening at the St. James Theater on November 9. The musical was always a risky gamble, even with the star power of Chenoweth and a score by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz. A musical adaptation of Lauren Greenfield's acclaimed 2012 documentary about the wealthy Jackie Siegel and her family's fall from financial grace, the musical opened to scathing reviews but strong ticket sales. Alas, advance sales through the holidays weren't enough to keep the show afloat. Chenoweth stars as Siegel opposite Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham as her husband, Daniel. The musical, with a book by Lindsey Ferrentino, follows the Siegels' attempt to build the largest private residence in America just in time for the 2008 recession. Tony winner Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending) directs. As our very own theater critic Adam Feldman wrote in his review, "The outlandishly tacky Jackie—who clutches an adorable dog and favors pink miniskirts, sometimes with matching fur—is the type of real-life person who tends to get called a character. Chenoweth brings her considerable powers to bear in portraying her: charisma, energy, comic timing, and a dazzling voice of many colors. [...] But we know where the story is going. Despite Chenoweth’s immense appeal—or perhaps, in part, because of it—it’s unclear if and why we are meant to care about a MAGA b

There’s a new waddler at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and she’s already stealing hearts. Rosie, a four-year-old Magellanic Penguin, has officially joined the penguin colony in the June Keyes Penguin Habitat. Described by her caretakers as curious, gentle and inquisitive, Rosie is the aquarium’s newest feathered resident, and one that you don't have to live in Southern California to enjoy. That's right: They may be in black tie, but you can watch them in sweatpants from your couch thanks to the aquarium's live penguin webcam.  Viewers will be able to recognize Rosie by the hot pink, orange and yellow band around her flipper on The Penguin Cam, brought to viewers courtesy of explore.org, the philanthropic media organization and division of the Annenberg Foundation. Rosie comes from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility, meaning that her move was part of a carefully coordinated effort to support the long-term health and genetic diversity of the species. Magellanic Penguins, native to the coasts of Argentina and Chile, are listed as a near-threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, so each bird’s placement is significant. Already, Rosie has won hearts and expressed her preferences. She's eating restaurant-quality food (sushi-grade, one assumes) with a decided taste for herring. “We are so excited to have Rosie join our Magellanic penguin colony. She seems like she will be a bright addition to the group with her curious and so

This spring, theater fans and theater makers are ditching the dusty velvet seats and total lack of leg room for the clean air and open space of Governors Island when the NYCRUNS Spring Fling 5K returns on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Whether you’re sprinting, strolling or Fosse-walking your way across the finish line, the 3.1-mile loop offers sweeping skyline views, harbor breezes and a chance to be part of something bigger than your PR. Registration isn’t just a chance to bond with fellow theater lovers and running enthusiasts; it’s an opportunity to turn that energy into real support. The race benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which will again offer limited fundraising spots for participants. Anyone wishing to participate must commit to raising a minimum of $250, which will provide 25 HIV tests at a clinic or 100 healthy meals for those living with HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses. After reaching $150, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will send a link to claim your race registration, and you’ll have the chance to win incentive prizes. Last year’s event brought more than 2,000 participants and 132 fundraisers, who collectively raised nearly $60,000. The route has become an annual gathering point for performers, backstage crew members, advertising execs, office teams, running clubs and theater super-fans. It’s a crowd united by the belief that “the show must go on” applies just as much to caring for one another as it does to the stage. If you’re planning to j

Fellow New Yorkers, there's good news and there's bad news. No, you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the mere act of existing in New York City. But sadly, that's because a new study has officially declared it to be the most stressful city in the world. Remitly evaluated more than 170 major cities based on five metrics: cost of living, commuting congestion, crime, pollution and access to healthcare. And New York landed at the top of the list with a stress score of 7.56 out of 10. The most stress-inducing aspect of NYC for most residents was the cost of living, which is no surprise to anyone who has ever tried to order a burger at a restaurant without a loan. But finances aren’t the only pressure. The study also cites long commute times as another major stressor, while crime and public-safety concerns weighed heavily. RECOMMENDED: New York just ranked as the second-best city in the world On the flip side, NYC ranked well on air quality and access to healthcare, both of which contributed to offsetting some of the other stressors. But that relief couldn't completely cancel out the rest, including a cost-of-living index of 100. Ouch.  Compare that to life for the denizens of Eindhoven, Netherlands, which, with a score of 2.34, is the world's least stressed city. But no one is writing songs about Eindhoven or setting movies and TV shows there. (Well, not yet. This might be a tipping point.) *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)

Miami Art Week is famously overstimulating, boasting enough neon parties, museum-grade pop-ups and brand activations to deregulate your nervous system. But this year’s most head-turning installation might be happening away from the fairgrounds, when Dorsia unveils Time Drop. This immersive art experience lets visitors literally control the flow of water, sound and time itself. The installation begins at 6pm on December 4 and runs through December 8 at the newly opened Dorsia Miami HQ and Social Club. RECOMMENDED: The best Art Basel and Miami Art Week events to book for 2025 First seen at Burning Man, Time Drop transforms a 30-by-10-foot space into a hyper-sensory environment made of water, light and mirrors. Raindrops (and what the project refers to as “eagle tears”) fall from the ceiling into a glowing garden, but, with the twist of a knob, the entire scene slows into slow motion. Then twist the knob back again, and time rewinds. The droplets rise back into the sky and reabsorb into the eagle’s eyes before falling again.  Photograph: Courtesy of Dorsia The work comes from New Mexico–born engineer Jordan MacHardy, whose art blends mechanical engineering with high-impact spectacle. His practice centers on letting audiences manipulate natural phenomena, providing a chance to lay your hands on forces we usually just watch. Time Drop can move 80–100 people through it per hour and is ADA accessible, making it one of the more inclusive immersive moments of the week. Each day feat

Chicagoans are used to surprises on the CTA, but this winter, that surprise will actually be a welcome one: Chance the Rapper’s voice will be woven into daily commutes. The hometown artist has partnered with the CTA for a new systemwide campaign called “Enjoy the Ride,” marking the first time the agency has collaborated with a celebrity to literally speak to riders. Chance grew up riding the Red Line from the South Side, trips that were part of his formation as an artist and a person. As he said in a statement, “I think this partnership is so important because I grew up taking the Red Line train from 79th,” said Chance. “All of the train lines create a pathway to connection and an opportunity for people to build community, and that’s what STAR LINE is about. It’s about us forming together to fight anything that’s going against us. This is an important time in the city for people to stand up, be brave and protective of each other.” “This is a unique partnership between two Chicago icons — CTA and Chance — that allows us to celebrate the special meaning they both have for our great city,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen in a statement. ”At CTA, we are thrilled to showcase Chance’s artistry and accomplishments while telling the story of his Chicago roots riding CTA in his early days. This partnership represents true Chicago and CTA pride, and we are excited to share it with our riders and employees.” The campaign is also a reminder of something that we tend to forget. P

Chicago’s Harry Potter Shop has officially gone full holiday mode, transforming into a snow globe-style wonderland that looks like it was dropped in by a particularly festive spell. But for one day this week, there’s an extra sweet reason to stop in. RECOMMENDED: See inside the much-anticipated new Harry Potter store now open in Chicago On Wednesday, December 4, the first 100 visitors will score a free Harry & Ron Sweater Cookie in celebration of National Cookie Day (one cookie per customer). But even the 101st visitor will have plenty of seasonal delights to enjoy. In addition to the sweater cookies, there will be Hot Butterbeer, authentic English mince pies, pumpkin tarts and macarons. Photograph: Courtesy of Harry Potter Shop Chicago Should anyone not have an appetite whilst shopping, there are still spells to fall under. The vibes are immaculate, for one; combining Harry Potter and the holidays is a recipe for cozy vibes that we could live in all year long. Take home a photo memento" step into a life-sized snow globe or grab a broomstick for a photo op that places you high above a snow-covered Hogwarts. The more adventurous can grab a map and embark on a Tree Trail scavenger hunt (complete it and earn a limited-edition “Holidays at Hogwarts” pin) or join one of the free 20-minute guided tours running through December 24, a nice way to geek out over actual props from the movies, décor and hidden Easter eggs for fans. Photograph: Courtesy of Harry Potter Shop Chicago Fa

Here's some exciting news for the terminally online: Hershey's is getting into the Dubai chocolate game! That's right, the icon of chocolate is mixing it up with a little pistachio to satisfy all those viral cravings you have—but only to a certain extent. As in, 10,000 cravings only. That's as many Hershey's Dubai-Inspired Chocolate Bars that the company will make, bringing its classic milk chocolate to the now beloved creamy pistachio and crispy kadayif, a fun riff on the “Dubai chocolate” trend that took over TikTok. Photography: Courtesy of Hershey's The launch is engineered for maximum hype, even (or maybe especially) during the year's busiest shopping time. Each one of the 10,000 bars is individually numbered and priced at $8.99. Or, in other words, these are designed to sell out instantly. Once they’re gone, there’s no more. Don’t expect a secret stock squirreled away in Hershey, Pennsylvania; this is a one-and-done drop, essentially the chocolate bar version of a sneaker release. RECOMMENDED: Can’t get knafeh of it? Where to find the original Dubai chocolate (and tasty dupes) The bars will be available at 10am on December 4 through Gopuff in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, but New Yorkers can try their luck in person when the bars hit Hershey’s Chocolate World. There will even be a live countdown to the 10am release. Honestly, we can't help picturing the race for a golden ticket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, except with a lot more selfie sticks and vo

Miami has no shortage of steakhouses, but one newcomer just shot to the top of the list in record time. Open just four months, Daniel’s Miami (located in the former Fiola Miami space in Coral Gables) has been ranked number nine on the 2026 World’s Best 101 Steak Restaurants list, making it the highest-rated steakhouse in Florida and one of the top ten in all of North America. For a restaurant that launched in late July, that’s a meteoric rise by any measure. (For the record, Time Out has it at number eight on the list of the best Miami restaurants.) RECOMMENDED: Daniel's is the power steakhouse Coral Gables didn't know it needed The sister concept to the Michelin-recommended Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse, the Coral Gables location leans into a polished, European-influenced style of service and a steak program built around ethically sourced, prized cuts. The kitchen works with globally renowned ranch partners, including Stone Axe and Margaret River in Australia, plus Texas’s Strube Ranch, whose Wagyu prime rib has already become a signature. Everything is selected for marbling, depth of flavor and consistency, then treated with classic, unfussy techniques that spotlight the beef’s natural richness. The staff includes culinary director Danny Ganem, director of operations Scott Ozler and wine and beverage director Daniel Bishop. As Time Out wrote in its review, "[The vibe is] tastefully expensive. From happy hour through closing, Daniel’s is packed with the suited after-work se

This winter, things are about to get hot in Williamsburg. The team behind the beloved and famously spicy Ugly Baby has signed a lease at 364 Grand Street, as initially reported by the Instagram account Yes Williamsburg, before chef Sirichai Sreparplarn's business partner, Som Kharazmi, confirmed the news to Grub Street. The Ugly Baby team will move into the former Emmy Squared space between Havemeyer Street and Marcy Avenue, with Kharazmi saying that while there is no official opening date set, "February seems likely." RECOMMENDED: Ugly Baby, considered by many to be the best Thai restaurant in NYC, is shutting down The Carroll Gardens original closed in late 2024 after a seven-year run that included a stint at the top of Time Out's Best Restaurants in NYC list. At the time, one of the owners explained to Grub Street, “We’re closing because chef Sirichai is just really tired and needs a long, long break. While we’ll miss the restaurant and all the great things that come with it, the upside is that this will give chef Sirichai the chance to work on a cookbook, which he’s long been wanting to do.” There's no cookbook yet, but we'll happily settle for the return of Ugly Baby (and not cooking meals for ourselves). The new Williamsburg iteration will keep the fundamental concept and same boundary-pushing approach, but with room to play—literally. The 2,500-square-foot storefront is larger than the previous location, all the better to avoid splashing sweat on fellow diners while t

Broadway just can't get enough Death, it seems. Three years after the fifth revival of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning Death of a Salesman closed on Broadway, a sixth revival will open. (For those counting, this will be the third revival since 2012.) As usual, the cast will be a star-studded one, led by Tony Award winners Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. Lane takes on Willy Loman, one of the great tragic roles in American theater and one in keeping with the actor's late-career shift into dramatic territory. Metcalf, currently on Broadway in Little Bear Ridge Road, will play Linda Loman. Also in the cast are Christopher Abbott as Biff and Ben Ahlers as Happy. Joe Mantello directs. The production is scheduled to begin previews on March 6, 2026, at the Winter Garden Theatre. Opening night is set for April 9. Tickets go on pre-sale on January 7 and will then be available to the general public on January 9. The creative team includes scenic design by Chloe Lamford, costume design by Rudy Mance, lighting design by Jack Knowles and sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman. Trustee of the Arthur Miller Literary and Dramatic Property Trust Kate Miller said in a statement, “This production promises to channel Salesman's dynamic power in a completely new way. Part of what's so exciting about Joe Mantello’s approach is that he has been immersing himself in our extensive archives and interacting with Arthur's earliest drafts of Salesman—sounding out a deeper understanding of the play's inne

This is turning out to be a good year for those of us who grew up on the Disney Channel. Not only has Hilary Duff blessed us with a new single and an upcoming album, but Disneyland just announced the return of Disney Channel Nite as part of 2026’s Disneyland After Dark. RECOMMENDED: The 9 essential Disneyland tips to make the most of your visit Happening from April 12 to 16, this three-night fandom fest celebrates that glorious stretch of time when future pop stars engaged in brightly lit, low-stakes sitcoms week after week. Full details for the 2026 installment are still to come, but the 2024 edition found park-goers able to pose in front of backdrops for Camp Rock, The Cheetah Girls, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and more. Fans can also expect some meet-and-greet opportunities with their favorite characters, like previous attendees Chip and Dale, Goofy and Max, and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Given the ravenous appetite for this particular era of TV, we suggest snagging tickets as soon as they drop (stay tuned for the on-sale date, which has yet to be announced). If the Disney Channel wasn't part of your childhood, the rest of the After Dark evenings might get your attention. The other 2026 events are Sweethearts’ Nite (January 22, 25, 27; February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 17); a brand-new theme, 70 Years of Favorites (March 3 and 5); Star Wars Nite (April 28, 30; May 4, 6); and Pride Nite (June 16 and 18). During After Dark events, guests can enter Disneyland starti