Who needs to spend Christmas in New York? It appears that each nice Christmas film or reminiscence of ours is one way or the other related to New York City. We requested all our Manhattan mates what to do at Christmas time in NYC, they usually gave us glorious recommendations to get us into the Christmas spirit. We made our listing, checked it twice, and with a scorching chocolate in hand, off we set off to discover the Christmas shows and well-known exhibits of the Big Apple in the course of the holidays.
New York City Christmas Itinerary
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Get able to discover our Christmas in New York itinerary, from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to well-known department shops adorned with decorations to Bryant Park Winter Village, we’ve rounded up the highest points of interest for vacation enjoyable that can assist you resolve the place to begin your New York City Christmas trip.
The Christmas season is a magical time of yr, and the town that by no means sleeps actually involves life in the course of the holidays. There are so many issues to do in NYC at Christmas, notably in midtown Manhattan, the place department shops are embellished with Christmas bushes and lights as Christmas carols blast from the speaker. Christmas performances are in full swing, and skating rinks are filled with individuals celebrating the vacations. These are the highest issues to do in New York at Christmas that can assist you plan the right itinerary.
1. Radio City Music Hall
The Christmas Spectacular runs all Christmas Season
Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Celebration is an establishment courting again to 1932. If you propose to catch only one present in the course of the holidays in New York, The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular is the one to see.
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular get you into the Christmas Spirit
I used to be anticipating to see 90 minutes of girls kicking their legs excessive within the air in “A Chorus Line” type, however there’s a ton of finances, thought, and enjoyable vitality that goes into the present.
There are singers, determine skaters, a 3D display screen exhibiting Santa’s journey, full with Santa Claus himself, and a bunch of shorter and extra various female and male dancers backing up the precise Rockettes.
Radio City Music Hall – A dream come true
I used to be positive my New York mates have been going to inform me I used to be nuts once I advised them we booked a ticket for the Radio City Christmas Extravaganza to see teh Radio City Rockettes. It turned out that everybody mentioned, “Go see the Rockettes!”
2. The Nutcracker on the Lincoln Center
If you wish to see one other Christmas present in New York, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is carried out by the New York City Ballet on the Lincoln Center. I’ve seen so many exhibits on TV mentioning the Lincoln Centre that I felt giddy stepping foot on the advanced.
Besides the ballet, you’ll discover the Opera House and Geffen Hall, the place the New York City Philharmonic performs.
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3. Christmas Markets
Union Square Holiday Market is one among many Christmas Markets
You can’t have a correct New York City Christmas with out visiting the an NYC Christmas Market. If you need a guided expertise of seeing the vacation markets, don’t miss this Christmas Lights and Markets Tour. We beloved it!
Christmas Market Columbus Circle
We visited our first Christmas Markets throughout a river cruise of Europe a couple of years in the past, and since that point, they’ve been sprouting up in every single place around the globe. New York City has markets throughout city from uptown to downtown. You can do all of your vacation procuring in a single NYC Christmas journey.
4. Grand Central Terminal
We visited a number of vacation markets together with the indoor market at Grand Central Station (a New York City vacationer attraction unto itself).
Grand Central Terminal’s Annual Holiday Fair is New York City’s longest-running indoor vacation honest showcasing 36 local-artisan distributors and small companies providing one-of-a-kind merchandise throughout a wide range of classes. It takes place within the beaux-arts Vanderbilt Hall for a really curated procuring expertise.
The hottest might be the Union Square Holiday Market, the place we randomly ran right into a buddy on this gigantic metropolis! And the stunning Columbus Circle Holiday Market. We went to all of them and beloved every minute! But our private favourite is the Bryant Park Winter Village.
Check out our greatest Christmas Gift concepts for individuals who like to journey
5. Bryant Park
Free Skating Rink at Bryant Park
Why was Bryant Park our favourite place in New York for the vacation season? Well, for one, there may be an ice skating rink and you’ll skate right here without cost!
Bring your hockey or determine skates alongside, and you’ll go ice skating at Bryant Park. If you don’t have your individual skates, leases are $20. The enviornment is surrounded by Christmas stalls promoting ornaments, arts and crafts, and, after all, scorching apple cider to maintain you heat.
Bryant Park Christmas Tree
There’s an awesome Christmas tree right here as effectively, which we really loved greater than the tree on the Rockefeller Centre. Located close to the New York Public Library, you’ll be able to benefit from the open air and head inside the long-lasting library to heat up.
6. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Christmas Tree
You can’t go to New York at Christmas with out witnessing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. It can be like going to Paris with out seeing the Eiffel Tower. Once the Rockefeller Tree Lighting ceremony occurs, New York is prepared for vacation cheer. This yr, it’s a huge Christmas tree from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
In 2024, the Rockefeller Tree will arrive on Saturday, November ninth, and can keep till the top of January 2024. If you wish to be there for the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony it takes place on December 4th, 2024.
7. Rockefeller Center Ice Skating
Rockefeller Christmas Decorations
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree dominates the sq., and there may be nothing extra romantic than going ice skating or simply watching the proficient skaters.
But be ready, the charges are excessive and there’s a lengthy wait to get on the ice. If it’s not in your Christmas bucket listing to skate right here, it’s not less than value stopping by to see the vacation show on the Rockefeller Center and the entire TV Shows filmed at 30 Rock. Plus, you should use the free public washrooms, have a seat, and heat up with a scorching chocolate within the concourse.
If you go to the Rockefeller Center, be sure to go within the morning or later at evening; crowds are a lot much less, and you’ll see the lights displayed on the tree overlooking the well-known skating rink.
8. The MET Christmas Tree
If you wish to see one other lovely Christmas Tree in New York City, the Met has a protracted custom of showcasing a vacation Christmas Tree. The twenty-foot blue spruce is the middle of a Neapolitan Nativity scene with angels hovering overhead. You’ll discover it within the Medieval Sculpture Hall.
9. Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
New York City is thought for its vacation window shows in the course of the Christmas season, however Saks Fifth Avenue takes the vacation spirit to new heights. Located on Fifth Avenue, only a hop skip and a soar from the Rockefeller Center, the Saks Fifth Avenue Light present is without doubt one of the greatest free issues to see in your NYC Christmas journey.
If you time it proper, you might be standing on the viewpoint of the Warner Brothers Tree at Rockefeller Center to look at the present. If you do an entire 180-degree flip from the rink, you’ll see a Saks storefront the place their gentle present performs to dramatic Christmas music at common intervals as soon as the solar goes down. This is a must-do whenever you go to New York City at Christmas.
Other shops that get into the Christmas spirit are close by Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany and Co. Each has elaborate shows and Christmas decorations beginning in November.
10. New York Christmas Window Displays
Window Displays are distinctive in New York at Christmas
Speaking of Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the best ways to take a look at the New York window shows is to stroll alongside Fifth Avenue from Central Park. All the storefronts are embellished to the nines. Some have been calling for kids to work together with the show by hitting buttons and pulling levers. Don’t neglect to make a detour to Bloomingdales, a staple of New York positioned on Lexington Avenue.
11. Macy’s Herald Square
Macy’s Herald Square in New York City is legendary for its annual Christmas window shows. Each Christmas, the division retailer transforms its home windows into elaborate scenes crammed with Christmas lights, Christmas decorations, and animated characters that inform a holiday-themed story.
At Christmas time, Macy transforms right into a magical Christmas village the place children can go to Santa Claus or marvel at Christmas bushes whereas listening to Christmas carols. At Christmas time, this village takes over a whole ground, getting you into the Christmas spirit.
The Christmas window shows are unveiled in late November and stay on view till early January. The home windows are positioned alongside Broadway and thirty fourth Street, and they’re free to view.
12. Central Park
Central Park in New York City at Christmas
Nothing is extra romantic than strolling by way of Central Park at Christmas time with a scorching chocolate in hand. You may go ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park. This skating rink was opened in 1949 and has been a vacation staple in New York for many years. It is positioned close to the southern entrance of the park, with the beautiful New York City skyline as its backdrop.
Wollman Rink transforms right into a winter wonderland, full with festive lights and vacation music. It’s an awesome place to benefit from the vacation spirit whereas additionally getting some train. Ice skating at Wollman Rink has grow to be a beloved custom for each locals and vacationers alike.
Many Christmas motion pictures have been filmed in Central Park – A Great tour to take is the Holiday Lights and Movie Tour of NYC. You’ll see vacation lights and well-known film units whenever you go to NYC.
13. Tavern on the Green
Tavern on the Green – probably the most romantic Christmas cease
We have been excited to go to Tavern on the Green in Central Park. The high hat and tails-clad doorman greeted us with a smile as he allow us to into the town’s iconic landmark.
But we made the error of not making reservations, so we solely had the chance to browse the present store and take a look at the sitting space by the bar. When we arrived at 2 pm, there was a 90-minute await a desk.
This is a romantic vacation spot and the setting is gorgeous, however do your self a favor and reserve a desk for lunch. With the fireplace going and Christmas decorations, it’s the good place to take pleasure in a scorching chocolate after ice skating.
14. Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is open twelve months a yr, together with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Be ready for very lengthy traces, although. To get you into the Christmas spirit, the Empire State Building lights up in a festive pink and inexperienced glow.
Entrance to the Empire State Building is included along with your New York City Pass, which provides you front-of-the-line entry to New York Attractions. You may buy skip the road admission to the Empire State Building Observation Deck
15. New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
Located within the Bronx, The New York Botanical Garden is value a go to to see the Holiday Train Show. 150 miniature New York City Landmarks span a half-mile monitor that’s meticulously lit with shiny lights as mannequin trains transfer by way of the miniature metropolis. Get extra particulars right here.
There are loads of issues to maintain you busy on the gardens in the course of the vacation season, together with taking in a Christmas live performance, listening to acapella teams, Christmas carols, and poetry readings. Click right here to e book tickets to the Holiday Train Show
16. A View from Brooklyn
There are many locations to get an awesome view of the New York City skyline, however our favourite is unquestionably from Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge). This is a spot you acknowledge from many Christmas motion pictures, the place historic buildings lead down slim streets on to the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.
From the waterfront right here you’ll be able to snap a number of completely different views of the New York City skyline, however probably the most spectacular image comes from Pier 2 the place wood poles jut out of the water, making for a outstanding foreground. Plus, there’s a carousel right here that places you within the festive spirit.
17. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour
While in Brooklyn, make your approach to Dyker Heights to view the Christmas lights show. The houses on this New York neighborhood get into the festive spirit by having Christmas professionals design their lights beginning the day after Thanksgiving.
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tour has grow to be so widespread that there are excursions supplied out to see the shows from eleventh Avenue to Dyker Heights Blvd (aka thirteenth Avenues) from 83rd to 86th St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Check out this highly-rated Manhattan to Brooklyn Christmas Magic Tour.
18. Buddy the Elf Tour
It’s been 20 years since Elf starring Will Ferrell took the Christmas vacation season by storm to rejoice, the Elf Movie Sites Tour has opened in NYC! You’ll go to iconic film scenes akin to the place Buddy and Santa Claus escaped from the Central Park Rangers on Santa’s sleigh, the Pinebank Arch, the scene of the notorious snowball combat and see Macy’s, Buddy’s North Pole home-away-from-home.
Learn about behind-the-scenes trivia, and be led by a neighborhood actor. Be positive to pack your Christmas spirit and your favourite Santa or Elf hat.
19. Christmas Pop Up Bars
To take part in one among New York’s latest traditions, search out the Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar referred to as Miracle, which serves holiday-inspired drinks in a festive setting.
The bars are sometimes decked out in Christmas decorations, together with Christmas lights, Christmas bushes, garlands, and holiday-themed knick-knacks. The menu typically options inventive holiday-inspired cocktails with festive names like “Jingle Ball Nog” and “Christmapolitan.”
The pop-up bars are often open from late November till the top of December, offering a festive place for individuals to collect and rejoice the vacation season.
20. Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve
Times Square for New Year isn’t for everybody, but when it has all the time been your dream to do it, we are saying go for it! If you’re on the town on December 31, go to Times Square for New Year’s Eve. Times Square on New Year’s Eve is on lots of people’s bucket lists, however it may be a difficult expertise as a result of giant crowds, chilly climate, and lengthy wait occasions.
If you need a good view, it is best to plan on arriving as early as doable. Once you’re in Times Square, it may be tough to depart and are available again to your spot. Bring snacks and water. Bathrooms are restricted, and I plan on ready round for a very long time.
21. Bronx Zoo Light Show
During the vacations, the Bronx Zoo transforms right into a winter wonderland with gentle shows and animal lanterns. Visitors can stroll by way of the zoo and benefit from the dazzling lights, stay leisure, and Christmas carols.
The Holiday Lights present runs from late November by way of early January. The shows are designed to rejoice wildlife. The zoo additionally hosts stay performances, together with carols, ice carving demonstrations, and extra.
22. New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Train Show
The New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery hosts a Holiday Train Show. Departing from a miniature duplicate of Grand Central Terminal, the Transit Museum homes a set of mannequin trains, together with Metro-North, Polar Express, and classic subway practice units making their well past New York landmarks and onto the North Pole.
The present opens on Thursday, Nov. 14, and runs by way of February 2025. Open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday by way of Friday; 10 a.m. to six p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed on main holidays. Details right here.
Where to Stay in New York at Christmas
Our View of Manhattan
The greatest space to remain in New York at Christmas time is Times Square. Sure, it’s busy, however you can be within the coronary heart of the motion and can really feel the Christmas cheer throughout you.
The final time we stayed in New York, we stayed on the Intercontinental Times Square. It’s a incredible property that provides a unique, extra upscale selection.
We have additionally stayed at Holiday Inn Times Square. Even although our room was small on the Holiday Inn Times Square, it had all of the facilities we would have liked and a incredible view of Manhattan.
Read About these Times Square Hotels that we have now stayed at. It is a good place to make a house base when visiting New York in the course of the holidays.
Where to Eat in New York at Christmas
Serendipity 3 has attracted well-known celebrities since 1954 and has now opened a restaurant in Times Square the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in its well-known for Frozen Hot Chocolate dessert.
Rolf’s German Restaurant is positioned close to Gramercy Park for Christmas decorations. It is embellished year-round and claims to be probably the most festive restaurant in NYC.
Check out extra issues to see in Times Square at Things to do in Times Square – A Walking Tour and Nearby Attractions.
Does it snow in New York at Christmas?
It is chilly in December in New York, and it might probably snow. Pack your layers and be ready for winter climate.
Is Christmas an excellent time to go to New York?
Christmas is an incredible time to go to New York. Christmas markets are open throughout city, storefronts are embellished with colourful lights, and particular Christmas performances happen. New York is made for Christmas celebrations.
What is there to do on an NYC Christmas Trip?
There are so many issues to do in New York in the course of the holidays, like Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Light present at Saks Fifth Avenue, Christmas Markets, and the Christmas lights of Dyker Heights.
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This submit is in partnership with IHG Rewards, however as typical, all views of our expertise are our personal.