Millions of people visit New York City during the December holiday season. Many enjoy a visit to the huge, shining Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. Others like shopping at New York’s famous stores. And many people love seeing the Rockettes perform their Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Rockettes were founded in 1925. That means the dance company has now been dancing — and kicking — for 100 years!
Russell Markert formed the Rockettes in 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri. The dance team began to travel around the United States. Theater owner Samuel (“Roxy”) Rothafel took over the group and moved them to New York City. When Radio City Music Hall opened in New York in 1932, the Rockettes had found their new home.
The Rockettes began dancing in the Christmas Spectacular in 1933. Their 90-minute musical show included dozens of dancers in colorful costumes. They performed high kicks and danced together with styles of ballet, tap, and jazz. Some of the show has changed since 1933, but some has stayed the same. And it has grown into a Christmas in New York.
Today there are 80 dancers in the Rockettes. The group only includes women. For many years, the dance troupe only included white women. Dancers with dark skin were not allowed to join. That changed during the 1980s. Jennifer Jones became the first African American Rockette in 1987.
Jones performed her first show with the Rockettes on January 31, 1988 — in the NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show. She spent 15 years as a Rockette, dancing with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. There are now other Black Radio City Rockettes. In 2019, the Rockettes hired their first dancer with a physical disability (only one hand).
“As the first Black Rockette, I am filled with pride as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of this dance company,” said Jones. The historic dancer shared a message with News-O-Matic readers: “Let us honor our rich legacy while continuing to embrace and representation on stage,” Jones explained. “Together, we can pave the way for future performers and ensure that every voice and story is heard and celebrated in the world of dance.”
Jones said she was looking forward to seeing how the Rockettes “embrace new forms of storytelling” over the next 100 years. Those include “fresh , modern music, and even different art forms that bring a new energy to the stage.” And she hopes young dancers will work to “pursue their dreams — no matter how impossible they may seem.” As she explained:
“The story of the Rockettes demonstrates the power of and the importance of representation in the arts.”
The Rockettes have become the longest-running precision dance company in America. Each year they perform for another million fans at the Christmas Spectacular. After more than 100 years, the dance company is still kicking!
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
Updated December 11, 2025, 5:00 P.M. (ET)
