The Garden of Dreams Talent Show at Radio City: How to Get Your Free Tickets
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Radio City Music Hall will host the annual Garden of Dreams Talent Show, a special event that showcases the talents of over 150 young performers from the tri-state area.
This program celebrates the resilience and creativity of young people who have faced significant challenges, including illness, financial hardship, and family struggles. It is also free!
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The Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people in need, has been putting on this talent show for nearly two decades. The show’s goal is to provide a platform for young performers to show off their various talents while offering them a chance to experience what it’s like to perform in one of the most famous venues in New York City.
For many of the participants, performing on the stage of Radio City Music Hall is nothing short of a dream come true. Besides the prestige that comes with it, the talent show is a meaningful way to celebrate the culmination of all of the hard work and resilience they have shown in overcoming their own personal obstacles.
Over 150 Young Performers
“The annual Talent Show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these remarkable young people facing unimaginable obstacles to share their talents with the world,” said Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of RUN DMC. “To work as hard as they do, and perform on the Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall, is a tremendous feat and I am so proud to be part of this annual event.”
The 2025 Talent Show will highlight more than 150 young performers from 28 of the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s partner organizations across the tri-state area.
These include groups like Make-A-Wish, Children’s Aid, Children’s Village, SCAN Harbor, and Madison Square Boys & Girls Club. The show will feature a variety of acts, from solo and group performances to dance, instrumental music, a drumline, and vocal renditions of both original and well-known songs.
Celebrity Mentors
What makes this event so special is the strong sense of community and support. The performers are cheered on by their peers and also receive encouragement from celebrity mentors and community leaders who volunteer their time. These mentors inspire the young performers, showing them that they can reach their dreams, no matter what challenges they face.
While the event is a celebration of talent, it is also a testament to the importance of mentorship and support in a young person’s life. The Garden of Dreams Foundation’s goal is to provide these young people with opportunities to build confidence, resilience, and skills that will serve them in the future, whether in the arts or other areas of their lives.
Over the years, the talent show has had a variety of celebrities and athletes step in to support the performers. Many have volunteered their time as mentors, presenters, and supporters, offering guidance and encouragement to the young talent.
Some past celebrity mentors and presenters participants include Whoopi Goldberg, Josh Groban, David Harbour, Hugh Jackman, Alicia Keys, Hoda Kotb, Shawn Mendes, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, Liam Neeson, The Strokes, Kenan Thompson, Jonathan Van Ness and many other stars.
Still, the focus of the event is always on the performers themselves, and it is their talent that is the real highlight of the night.
To get your tickets for this year’s Garden of Dreams, visit the website.
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