11 best things to do for Christmas in New York
There are few things more magical than spending Christmas in New York. The city's iconic hotels become canvases of dazzling light displays, while it's not surprising to spot multiple Christmas trees in the centre of lobbies and restaurants. Book a stay, get your shop on and try to bag tickets to the hottest Broadway show in town – from ice skating rinks to Christmas markets, here are all the best things to do for Christmas in New York. If you're looking for more recommendations, look at our favourite things to do in New York City all year round.
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1. Take a spin around the city’s prettiest outdoor skating rink
There may be nothing more iconic in New York City than the famed Central Park. And it's no exaggeration to state that the opening of the expansive Wollman skating rink is regarded as the highlight of Christmas in New York. And, after having undergone extensive renovations last year, it’s even more fun to visit, thanks to a brand-new clubhouse and strong public Wi-Fi. To ensure you can reserve skates, make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time.
Address: 830 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10065
Website: centralpark.com
When: Until Tuesday 12 March 2024 - Erin Baiano
2. Dream of sugarplums after seeing this ballet
New York City is home to dozens of world-class dance companies, but none may be so closely associated with The Big Apple as New York City Ballet. The company’s production of The Nutcracker is one of the marquee events of the year and has been dazzling audiences at Lincoln Center since its premiere in 1954. NYCB’s version includes a whopping 90 dancers, 125 adorable students from the School of American Ballet, and a Christmas tree that grows to a stunning height of 41 feet.
Address: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
Website: nycballet.com
When: Wednesday 22 November – Sunday 31 December 2023 - Pictures Colour Library / Alamy Stock Photo
3. Ogle the holiday windows at Fifth Avenue’s famed department stores
Window shopping takes on a whole new meaning when you stroll Fifth Avenue during Christmas time. But if you can only stop by a few stores, make sure you swing by two of New York’s most storied department stores: Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. Every December, the windows seem to be more intricate than the last, with displays that rival those of the most elaborate Broadway sets. While the themes for this year’s windows have not yet been released, you can reserve a front-row seat to Saks’s unveiling and light show for a cool $3,000.
Address: Bergdorf Goodman, 754 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019; Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Website: bergdorfgoodman.com; saksfifthavenue.com
When: Times to be announced, generally late November through early January - Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
4. Wander through a Brooklyn neighbourhood famous for its holiday lights
If you want to escape Midtown Manhattan madness for a more local holiday celebration, head to the Dyker Heights neighbourhood in Brooklyn for some of the city’s most iconic Christmas decorations. The normally sleepy enclave bursts into technicolour life during the holiday season, where houses try to one-up each other with thousands of Christmas lights, holiday songs piped through speakers, and life-sized Santas, sleighs, and reindeer. You can even book a tour of the neighbourhood through groups like Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, which shuttle guests straight from Manhattan.
Address: 11th to 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th Streets in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
Website: facebook.com
When: Most houses are lit throughout December 2023
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5. Delight in the lights at these two Bronx institutions
The holiday season in NYC brings a wealth of outdoor light shows to the city, and luckily two of our favourites are right down the street from each other. The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights show includes over 360 custom-designed animal lanterns, costumed stilt walkers, and an animated light show that takes place throughout the entire zoo. And just a few minutes' drive away is all the wonders at the New York Botanical Garden, including their famed Holiday Train Show featuring 190 replicas of NYC landmarks; and NYBG Glow, an after-hours experience that lights up the gardens with a kaleidoscope of colours.
Address: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx, NY 10460; New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx, NY 10458
Website: bronxzoo.com; nybg.org
When: Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo run from November 17 - January 7; NYBG train show runs from Friday 17 November 2023 – Monday 25 January 2024 - TIMOTHY A. CLARY/Getty Images
6. Be amazed by the synchronicity of this dance troupe
Any theatre lover would be remiss not to catch a show at Radio City Music Hall, nicknamed the “Showplace of the Nation.” And luckily, during the holiday season, the theatre is home to The Radio City Rockettes, an equally revered institution whose dancers are famous for their exacting precision technique. Their Christmas Spectacular production is an excellent way to see the staggering, high-kicking synchronicity of the dancers and an even better way to get into the holiday spirit.
Address: 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
Website: rockettes.com
When: Friday 17 November 2023 – Monday 1 January 2024 - Jacob Williamson
7. Pick up one-of-a-kind presents at this holiday market
Union Square is one of downtown Manhattan’s buzziest hubs; and there is always something happening in its park, whether it’s the famed Union Square Greenmarket or chess lessons. But from mid-November on, the draw is certainly Urbanspace’s Union Square Holiday Market, which brings together over 160 local vendors selling everything from puppets to socks to chocolate. Pro tip: try to come on a weekday to avoid the crush of weekend crowds.
Address: Union Square, New York, NY 10003
Website: urbanspacenyc.com - Herve DONNEZAN / Alamy Stock Photo
8. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas
The Macy’s department store in Herald Square is best known for hosting the famed Thanksgiving Day Parade, but the store is also ground zero when it comes to Christmas time celebrations. Macy’s gigantic Santaland is the premiere spot in NYC to take a picture with Saint Nick; and in the spirit of diversity, there are also Spanish-speaking and Black Santas available. Note that while the experience is free, you do need to book a visiting time in advance.
Address: 151 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001
Website: macys.com
When: Friday 24 November – Saturday 24 December 2023
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9. Visit the most famous Christmas tree in the USA
One of the busiest events of the holiday season in New York is the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. This year, the lucky tree is a Norway Spruce from Queensbury, New York which will be wrapped in 50,000 multi-coloured LED lights and topped with a star from Swarovski. But if the hustle of the actual lighting is too much to handle, you can view the evergreen beauty throughout December (and then grab a meal at the recently revitalised Rockefeller Center right after).
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
Website: rockefellercenter.com
When: Wednesday 29 November 2023 – Saturday 13 January 2024 - Russell Kord / Alamy Stock Photo
10. Sit down for a holiday tea
No hotel may be more closely associated with NYC than the legendary Plaza Hotel. Perched at the intersection of Central Park and Fifth Avenue’s famed shopping, the storied 1905 building has been host to legions of world leaders, celebrities, and film sets. And while tea at the Plaza is on many a tourist’s bucket list, it’s especially fun during Christmas time: You can expect elegant decorations, a beautiful, tall tree in the lobby, and one of the city’s best Santa Claus setups. And Home Alone 2 fans take note: there’s even a special package for movie buffs.
Address: 768 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
Website: theplazany.com
When: All season long - Getty Images
11. Hear these singers before they make it big
The Apollo Theater is famous for launching the careers of superstars from Ella Fitzgerald to H.E.R. And now, you can be one of the first to hear the next legend-in-the-making by heading to Harlem for Apollo Amateur Night’s Holiday Special. Showcasing alumni of Apollo Stars of Tomorrow, the program will feature a bevvy of talented young performers hoping for their big break.
Address: 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027
Website: apollotheater.org
When: Saturday 9 December 2023