Last Updated on December 22, 2022 by Nellie Huang
Every Christmas, New York City magically turns right into a winter wonderland with ice rinks, Christmas markets and music all over the place. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center, watching the Christmas gentle present at Saks Fifth Avenue, and consuming sizzling chocolate at Rolf’s are a number of the the reason why we love spending Christmas in New York.
Last 12 months, we spent Christmas in New York (once more!) — and it was simply how we’d remembered it. Our daughter, specifically, cherished how magical New York was throughout the vacation season. With that in thoughts, I’ve compiled an in depth information that can assist you plan the most effective Christmas journey to New York.
Things to Do in New York at Christmas
1. See the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
At Christmas, the Rockefeller Center is the epicenter of all of the festivities. This is the place you’ll discover the most important Christmas tree in New York City. The 40-foot tree options 50,000 lights and is surrounded by a forty five foot Swarovski crystal tree topper produced from 30 kilos of crystals that took over 4 hours to put in!
Don’t miss iceskating within the rink whilst you’re right here: it’s the quintessential NYC Christmas expertise. Admission is $20 per particular person; e-book your tickets right here. To keep away from crowds, the most effective time to go to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is round 11 pm on a weekday, proper earlier than the lights go off.
Where to Go Ice Skating in New York
Where else are you able to go ice skating in New York at Christmas? Here’s an inventory of the most effective rinks with festive environment:
Before going to a rink, examine the venue’s web site for the newest data. Most of them require superior reservations.
2. See the Rockettes at Radio City Musical Hall
Radio City has been a staple of New York tradition for over 80 years and performs host to iconic musicals. The most well-known Christmas dance present right here, the Rockettes, is a Christmas custom and a must-see should you’re visiting across the holidays. The present includes a sequence of marvelous holiday-themed track and dance numbers. Book your tickets right here.
3. Catch the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
Across from the Rockefeller Center is the favored division retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue. Every 12 months Saks enhance its Christmas window show with a distinct theme and put up a gentle present each night.
The excellent spot to look at the Saks gentle present is on the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center. The final present takes place round 11:30pm at evening. Once that present is over, the Rockefeller Center tree lights will go off as properly.
Where to Stay in New York at Christmas
These are a number of the most Christmas-y locations to remain in New York. For extra concepts, try this information on the place to remain in New York.
Peninsula Hotel New York — Decorated from ground to ceiling, The Peninsula is spectacular throughout the holidays. The resort presents vacation packages that embody rooms adorned with a vacation theme, vacation window show strolling excursions and chauffeur-driven automotive to Dyker Heights. Check charges.
The Plaza Hotel — One of New York’s most well-known lodges, The Plaza has been featured in lots of fashionable Christmas films like Home Alone 2. Located proper alongside the Fifth Avenue, the resort is strolling distance from many Christmas markets and Central Market. Check charges.
Lotte New York Palace — Nowhere does Christmas fairly like The Palace. The resort is an official associate of the Christmas musical, Radio City Rockettes. They even supply a particular package deal that features a Rockettes tote. Check charges.
4. Walk alongside Fifth Avenue
All alongside Fifth Avenue, storefronts are remodeled into magical Christmas shows that impress each adults and youngsters alike. You’ll additionally see a number of Christmas pop up decorations exterior of shops. The most putting ones are the yellow taxi, toy field, and sizzling air balloon.
5. See the Cartier Christmas Lights
Cartier, positioned on Fifth Avenue between thirty seventh and thirty eighth Streets, is likely one of the most adorned constructing. Every winter, the Cartier firm is remodeled into an enormous current field. It’s onerous to snap a shot with out autos or individuals in entrance of it, so I like to recommend coming late at evening because the lights keep on all evening!
6. See Santa Claus at Macy’s
For these touring New York with children, you’ve acquired to make a cease at Macy’s! Since the 1860s, Santa Claus has been the primary star of the present at Macy’s Herald Square. He exhibits up because the final participant within the Thanksgiving Day parade and you’ll catch him Macy’s Santaland on a regular basis after that. Make your reservation on-line and make sure you add this to your New York itinerary.
7. See the Nativity Scene at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The environment at St Patrick’s Cathedral is at its finest at Christmas. Come admire the nativity scene and light-weight a candle on this lovely setting. The annual Christmas Concert of St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a convention that you simply shouldn’t miss should you’re visiting New York at Christmas. The live performance takes place yearly on Christmas Eve and you’ll purchase tickets on-line.
8. Dine on the Festive Papillon Bistro
One of New York’s most Christmasy restaurant, Papillon Bistro, is positioned proper by Fifth Avenue. Every Christmas, the country French bistro will get a makeover and turns into essentially the most Christmassy place I’ve ever seen! We had our Christmas Eve dinner right here and it was really one thing particular. If you’re questioning what to put on in New York for winter, try my NYC packing listing. Book your desk right here.
9. Visit Bryant Park Winter Village
One of the very best issues to do in New York at Christmas is to go to Bryant Park, which turns right into a magical winter village each vacation season. It’s full with a 17,000-square-foot ice rink, meals market, and 125 stalls promoting all kinds of handcrafted items. This is the closest factor to a German Christmas market in New York!
The Bryant Park Winter Village often begins in late October. The Rink and The Lodge are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on daily basis up till early March. The Holiday retailers are open till early January. Admission is free.
10. Explore the Union Square Christmas Market
Union Square Park has a a lot smaller market with an emphasis on connoisseur treats and distinctive items. It additionally has a terrific ice skating rink. The Union Square Holiday Market runs November 18 – December 24, Monday – Saturday 11am-8pm and Sunday 11am-7pm, however the ice rink stays open till 17 January. Iceskating prices $19 together with skate rental and tickets should be bought on-line.
11. See the Grand Central Station Holiday Fair
If you need the holiday-fair expertise however don’t really feel like braving the chilly, head to Grand Central Terminal for the most effective of each worlds. The Grand Central Holiday Fair presents a various mixture of merchandise in an elegantly adorned atmosphere — all within the heat of Vanderbilt Hall. The market opens November 15 and closes December 24.
The Grand Central Terminal additionally has an annual vacation practice present. You can watch classic trains from the museum’s personal assortment undergo a two-level, 34-foot-long model of New York City and a winter wonderland scene.
12. Take a Stroll Through Central Park
This is my undoubtedly one in all my favourite NYC Christmas actions! Central Park is gorgeous in winter, particularly when lined in snow. You’ll discover distributors promoting sizzling chocolate and treats, Christmas lights on the carousel, and horse carriages strutting throughout the park. As we walked via Central Park, my daughter was so excited to see the spots the place Home Alone 2 was filmed.
13. See the Installation at Pulitzer Fountain
In the southeast part of Central Park, the Pulitzer Fountain additionally will get decked out each Christmas. In 2021, the artwork set up right here featured 32 hand-crafted animal sculptures, 5,000 ft of lights, and 24 handmade icebergs, all accompanied by music from composer Paul Brill.
14. Step into the Plaza Hotel
While you’re at Pulitzer Fountain, cross the road and duck into the well-known Plaza Hotel. The Christmas tree at The Plaza Hotel is likely one of the most lovely bushes on the town. Channel your internal Kevin McCallister within the foyer of The Plaza Hotel, or admire the gorgeous tree within the courtyard of the New York Palace.
15. Visit the American Natural History Museum
The American Natural History Museum is likely one of the finest museums on this planet, and a must-see on any New York itinerary. Here you possibly can see dinosaur fossils, artifacts and shows about Native American tradition, and even a life-size reproduction of a blue whale. Every Christmas, the museum erects a 13-foot origami tree, that includes 1000’s of origami items.
16. See the Decorations on the Met
Every Christmas, the Metropolitan Museum of Art erects a 20-foot blue spruce in its Medieval Sculpture Hall. The Cloisters is the Met is tastefully adorned with pine boughs and velvet ribbons. Come right here when it snows and also you’ll see the museum’s gardens lined in white.
17. Have a Drink at Rolf’s
New York’s most festive bar, Rolf’s, spends $60k on decorations each Christmas! New Yorkers and vacationers alike flock right here proper after Thanksgiving to soak within the environment. In all honesty we didn’t make it right here as the road was too lengthy! It’s extremely onerous to e-book a desk right here, ensure that to name upfront or wait in line earlier than they open (at 12pm). Read TripAdvisor critiques right here.
18. See the Wall Street Christmas Tree
One of essentially the most lovely Christmas bushes in New York is positioned alongside Wall Street, within the Financial District. During the day, the Financial District could also be crowded with workplace employees, however it mellows out within the night round 8pm. The Christmas tree supplies a terrific setting for some images together with your family members.
19. See the Christmas Special on the Oculus
A brand new landmark of Lower Manhattan, Oculus is each a transportation hub and murals, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Inside Oculus, you’ll discover a big purchasing advanced with a number of retailers and eating places. On the bottom stage is a small Christmas part adorned with bushes, lights, and faux snow.
20. Enjoy a Hot Chocolate at Loreley’s Beer Garden
Loreley’s Beer Garden is a comfortable restaurant providing German and Belgian beers and dishes, with a gorgeous heated out of doors terrace. It’s most well-known for the array of sizzling candies, together with Mexican-style “Chocolate Caliente” and Italian-inspired sizzling cocoa with peppermint schnapps (put together for the hefty value of $17). We got here right here for dinner one night and felt like we had been transported again to Europe!
21. Visit Hudson Yards
One of New York City’s latest neighborhoods, Hudson Yards is an ultra-modern and edgy space with lovely festive decorations at Christmas. The mall proper by the metro station is adorned to the nines, with golden sizzling air balloons hanging from the ceiling and the escalators draped with lights. The vacation decorations and shows are often up in the midst of November.
22. Admire the Vessel
Another new landmark, the Vessel is a smooth constructing that resembles a honeycomb. At Christmas, it’s lit up 24/7 with elegant golden lights. Some say that this larger-than-life artwork set up designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick is New York’s model of the Eiffel Tour.
Comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs – nearly 2500 particular person steps and 80 landings – the cool constructing sadly can’t be climbed now as a result of rising variety of suicides occurring there.
23. Enjoy the Festive Atmosphere at Seaport
From Lower Manhattan’s Seaport, you possibly can feast on the skyline and Brooklyn Bridge vistas in addition to a plethora of festive occasions at Christmas. A spectacular tree is lit up yearly close to the cobblestone streets at Fulton and Water streets. Also going down here’s a menorah lighting with musical performances and Chanukah crafts. For dates and occasions, try the Seaport’s web site.
24. See Christmas Lights in Dyker’s Height
One of the most effective locations to go in New York at Christmas in Dyker Heights, a residential space within the southern finish of Brooklyn. Local residents take the vacations very significantly: The homes on this neighborhood are decked out with 1000’s of lights, life-size toy troopers, inflatable Santas and extra.
The finest locations to see the Christmas decorations in Dyker Heights are between eleventh and thirteenth Avenues from 83rd to 86th Street. Mid-December is the most effective time to go to Dyker Heights since all of the lights are illuminated.
Even although it’s an extended trek there from Manhattan (1.5 hours by subway), Dyker Heights is unquestionably price a go to for the out-of-this-world lights. Catch the practice or absorb all the most effective shows on this 3.5-hour bus tour.
25. See the Botanical Garden’s GLOW and Holiday Train Show
The out of doors color-and-light expertise GLOW festively illuminates The New York Botanical Garden’s landmark panorama and historic buildings throughout the vacation season.
The Botanical Gardens additionally put up the Holiday Train Show each Christmas. Model trains undergo the mini metropolis in a half-mile monitor of 175 real-life Manhattan landmarks which can be meticulously lit in good colours and light-weight. Get your tickets right here.
Christmas in New York Tips
Christmas in New York is really essentially the most fantastic time of the 12 months. But with the intention to expertise the magic, ensure that to plan upfront and never pack in too many issues. Here are extra tips about the best way to take pleasure in Christmas in New York.
- Christmas in NYC is likely one of the busiest occasions to go to the town. Be certain to e-book your lodging months upfront and entrance tickets to points of interest by September.
- Expect increased costs throughout the vacation season. We had been fortunate to seek out a terrific Airbnb in Brooklyn on the final minute that was inexpensive (US$1500/week). Most lodges had jacked up their costs for this time of the 12 months.
- Make certain to e-book a desk for Christmas dinner upfront — many eating places might be totally booked for the festive season. We went to Papillon Bistro for our Christmas Eve dinner and had a magical time!
- The finest option to get round New York City is by subway. If you’re spending greater than 3 days in New York, I like to recommend getting a multi-day MetroCard (at any station). A 7-day cross prices $33 for limitless rides.
- Follow my New York itinerary should you’d wish to see the most effective of the town in a brief time frame.
Enjoy Christmas in New York!
Feel free to print out this New York Christmas information and produce it with you in your holidays in NYC! I’ve included the entire finest issues to do in New York at Christmas, so put together to indulge and luxuriate in essentially the most fantastic time of the 12 months.
Be certain to go away a remark beneath you probably have any questions. Read extra of my US articles to get concept on your subsequent journey:
Disclaimer: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks to corporations I exploit and belief. I get a small fee if you click on on my hyperlinks, at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.
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