In this blog post I will show you the Best Things to Do in New York During Christmas. New York is no doubt one on the most intriguing places you can choose to spend your Christmas in. It’s not only attractive to visitors, locals love Christmas here as well. There are festive markets and ice skating activities at different locations that make it the ideal Christmas destination. Christmas trees and light shows are the order of town here.
By knowing the best things to do in New York during Christmas, it’s easier to plan. The extravagant seasonal decorations, festivities, and seasonal treats are always something to look forward to. New York has some major highlights during the festive season. Most locations communicate about their activities and the dates to keep everyone in the loop.
Best Things to Do in New York During Christmas
There are definitely some activities that make Christmas stand out in New York. For a truly epic time, you should know some things you shouldn’t miss. The hidden gems and the must-see places will definitely make Christmas extraordinary. The following activities can help you create a memorable Christmas holiday with your family, friends, or on your own.
Wonder at the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center
This tree has stood tall for over eight decades as one of the most significant Christmas holiday beacons for visitors and New Yorkers. The stars, decorations, and lights change over time, but this tree has remained unchanged part of Christmas. It’s by far one of the must visit places in New York.
The Rockefeller Center tree is a city Christmas symbol decorated with sparkling lights. Visit this location to witness this 75 feet tall tree.
While here, consider visiting:
- The rink: Take a spin here while at the Rockefeller Center during Christmas. You need a general admission ticket to ensure you get a chance to enjoy the ice on the date selected.
- Top of the Rock: Getting tickets early to access Top of the Rock is also better. This is your chance to get the best New York City view 70 floors up. There are outdoor and indoor observation decks. You may add the Beam Experience at checkout as well.
Go Ice Skating in Central Park
This is one of the most authentic places in New York to get a winter experience. Visit Central Park to enjoy ice-skating at the Wollman Rink in Central Park. This area is surrounded by snow-covered landscapes and a truly magical ambiance. This is especially true if you experience the location in the evening under the twinkling lights.
With the skyline as the background, gliding on ice is one of the best night or day activities for family and friends. You can buy or rent skates to enjoy an unforgettable Christmas experience at Central Park. There are two primary rinks in Central Park to consider. These are the laser Rink and the Wollman rink. Both options have locker and skate rentals available for your own convenience. If you want a free option, consider going to the conservatory Water. However, this is only available if the ice conditions allow.
Among the options available, Wollman Rink is the most popular option for those who want to experience the best ice-skating in the park. Skating school and sessions are some services that can be accessed here.
Immerse Yourself in the Holiday Markets
Exploring the holiday markets is amongst the best things to do in New York during Christmas. The holiday market atmosphere is lively. Some popular destinations you can consider visiting on Christmas include the Bryant Park Winter Village, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and the Union Square Holiday Market. You can buy many mouthwatering treats, crafts, and gifts at this location. Browse through the stalls, take some hot cocoa, and enjoy the festive cheer.
There are many holiday markets in New York, which include markets with unique items and markets with food. Other places you can consider visiting for the market experience include:
- Holiday Central Terminal Holiday fair
- Grand holiday bazaar
- Artists and Fleas Chelsea
- Renegade craft fair
- Holiday Market at Oculus
- Hudson yards
- The Bushwick market
- The markets show at city point
All the markets have their intrigues. Find out more about the one that interests you beforehand for the ultimate Christmas experience.
Be a Part of Radio City Christmas Spectacular
This is a tradition witnessed in New York. It’s a dance and music showcase and includes the Rockettes. This is one of the most captivating and magical shows, with elaborate choreography, costumes, and uplifting storylines.
This Christmas show features Radio City Rockettes, a holiday musical that takes 90 minutes. It happens at the Radio Music Hall in New York City. It features over 140 performers and includes the Radio City Rockettes, an original music score. It involves traditional scenes, humor, dancing, and singing. This show typically consists of the following:
- Old time movies
- Snowflake swirling
- Ice skaters gliding
- Wooden soldiers dancing
- A grand orchestra
- Special effects
- Modern Broadway musicals
- A nutcracker
- Kickline synchronized dancing
- Fairy drones
Best Things to Do in New York During Christmas
The Rockettes preface at the hall has stood the test of time and has been on since 1933. This is one of the New York traditions that you can never forget once you experience it. There is no formal dress code at the hall, but people are encouraged to use their personal judgment when getting ready for the show. While costumes are permitted, there are some exceptions.
Getting to the hall and settling down about one hour before the show starts is recommended. The 90-minute performance is a significant highlight in New York. There is no intermission, so come prepared if you don’t want to miss any of it.
Go to Dyker Heights for the Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, is famous for its extraordinary Christmas decorations. Lucy Sparta started this tradition in the 80’s when she moved to the area. She used to decorate her house to carry on a tradition that her mother had started. This neighborhood is bounded by the 7th and the 14th Avenue, Belt Parkway, and the 65th Street. It’s trendy and is commonly called Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.
Typically, the lights go in at dusk, but if they are on a timer, they can go on at the designated time, usually 5-5:15 PM. They are turned off at 10 PM. This continues until New Year’s Day in most cases. The best thing about this location is that a tour isn’t needed. You only have to take the train to 79th St and New Utrecht Ave Brooklyn and walk for around 15 minutes. The main thing here is the extravagant Christmas decorations and astonishing light displays. Life-sized figurines and oversized ornaments are the order of the day here and are breathtaking. This is one of the best things to do in New York during Christmas time. It’s a major attraction for locals and visitors.
Stroll on 5th Avenue for the Holiday Window Displays
There are some elaborate window displays along Fifth Avenue. They are generally crafted by renowned stores like Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and Sak’s Fifth Avenue. The artistic creations relate to the Christmas spirit. They display creative scenes and beautiful designs that transport you to an enchanted world.
Holiday Windows include the following:
- Barneys New York with the bright zebra-like characters
- Coach with red flooring and wrapped gifts around mannequins
- Tiffany & Co. with a Christmas scene, starbursts, boxes, and baubles
- Gucci with giant packages
- Dolce & Gabbana with the geometric silver panels
- Van Cleef & Arpels
- Mango
- Bloomingdales
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Cartier
- Bergdorf Goodman
- Macy’s Herald Square
Best Things to Do in New York During Christmas
Attend Holiday Shows or Concerts
One of the most vibrant things in New York is the art scenes, which are incredibly profound over the holiday season. Various shows and concerts take place here around this time. They are typically done by popular orchestras. The live music is beautiful and an excellent celebration of the festive season. Some shows to look out for during Christmas include:
- Twas the night before
- Nutcracker rouge
- iLuminate
- Bronx Zoo holiday light show
- Bryant Park Winter Village
Enjoy Some Festive Treats
Christmas experiences in New York cannot be concluded without the delectable seasonal treats. Visit famous chocolatiers like Jacques Torres for a cup of chocolate or get some iconic desserts at Dominique Ansel and other bakeries. Traditional favorites like warm apple cider and gingerbread cookies are essential.
Sample the Largest Gingerbread Village in the World with New York-inspired Designs
This is a spectacular display located at Chelsea Market. New York City’s old signs, gas lamps, street signs, and brownstones inspire the designs done by Jon Lovitch using gingerbread. Lovicth is fondly called the Gingerbread Man and holds the Guinness World Record for creating the largest gingerbread village.
Every year, this man whips icing and bakes pounds of gingerbread to develop gingerbread towns. Around 1000 gingerbread houses, ice cream parlors, bakeries, pizzerias, dance studios, and breweries are created. You may spot some New York-inspired details while here.
Visit the AMNH Origami Holiday Tree
This Christmas tree involves about 2000 origami animals crafted intricately to decorate. It is located in the American Museum of Natural History, where massive dinosaur and blue whale skeletons are housed. It is one of the most spectacular presentations done each year and is truly extraordinary.
The tree is about 13 feet tall. The papers are carefully folded by volunteers from all over the globe, focusing on the museum. It all depends on the set theme. The latest theme was Proboscideans on Paradeas, inspired by “The Secret World of Elephants.”
Origami experts Talo Kawasaki and Rosalind Joyce work as co-designers to plan what goes in the tree every year. The plans have to be started before the holidays begin, and it involves going through the galleries to seek inspiration and choose the best animals to create.
Origami fans all over the world are then called in to offer reinforcements. Different textures, colors, sizes, and shapes are made. Visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in New York during Christmas. The tree can be seen all through the Christmas holiday season.
Get Dazzled by the Interactive Light Installations on Lincoln Square
This is one of the best experiences in New York. The hanging vines are enthralling as they react to the public sounds and moves. Walking through Dante Park is delightful because of the magical lights where London plane trees are adorned with strands of hanging light vines. You can participate in the scheduled sing-alongs to activate the set décor with changing colors and light dances. This creates one of the most dreamlike sensory experiences that will last a lifetime.
There is another installation called “Control No Control” on Flatiron Plaza. This interactive LED cube reacts to each movement and touches the surface. With every interaction, different sounds and patterns emerge from this large-scale structure.
Do your research before Christmas to find the best time to visit the light installations for the most elevated experience.
Enjoy Some Holiday Tea
No hotel is more associated with the city than the Plaza Hotel. It’s located at the Fifth Avenue and Central Park intersection and is popular for shopping. The building has been used to host film sets, celebrities, and world leaders. It is decorated with elegant pieces, a tree in the lobby, and a Santa Claus setup.
Bottom Line
Christmas in New York is one of the most magical experiences ever. While the above are some of the best things to do in New York during Christmas time, there is so much more to discover. It is an area with the most unforgettable light display, delightful markets, and an ambiance that can’t be likened to any other. Embrace the atmosphere and prepare to create memories that will last a lifetime. In New York, you get an opportunity to unleash the true magic and spirit of Christmas. It is also an opportunity to discover more hidden gems within the city and beyond. Researching extensively before Christmas helps you note some of the areas and activities that could interest you.
Expedia.com is highly recommended as a budget-friendly flight booking platform for those planning a visit to New York during the bustling Christmas season. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive search engine allow travelers to compare a wide array of flight options, ensuring they find the best deals to fit their budget. Moreover, Expedia’s extensive partnerships with airlines and its feature of bundling flights with hotels and car rentals can lead to significant savings, which is especially beneficial during the high-demand Christmas period in New York. The platform also offers various discounts and rewards through its loyalty program, further enhancing its appeal to budget-conscious travelers looking to experience the magic of New York City during the festive season without breaking the bank.
