20 things to do in New York City during Christmas time

1. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a beloved New York City holiday tradition. Each year, a giant Norway spruce is decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and crowned with a Swarovski crystal star.

Nearby, skaters glide on the ice rink, adding to the festive magic. As snow falls, the glowing scene turns into a true winter wonderland.

2. Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a must-see holiday tradition in New York City, featuring the famous Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Since 1933, this show has dazzled audiences with its precision dance routines, festive performances, and stunning visuals. Highlights include the iconic "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and the beautiful "Living Nativity". With a mix of classic scenes, Santa Claus appearances, and modern special effects, it's a magical experience perfect for families and visitors, running from mid-November through early January.

3. Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park Winter Village is one of New York City's top holiday attractions, transforming Bryant Park into a festive wonderland from late October through early January. The Winter Village features a range of holiday activities, making it a perfect destination for families, friends, and visitors looking to experience the holiday spirit.

Key highlights include:

1. Holiday Shops – The village is home to over 150 boutique-style stalls offering unique gifts, handcrafted items, holiday decorations, and gourmet treats. It’s a great place to shop for one-of-a-kind presents and seasonal goodies.

2. The Ice Rink – The centerpiece of the Winter Village is its free admission ice skating rink, the only one of its kind in New York City. Skaters can bring their own skates or rent a pair to glide across the ice under the backdrop of the city’s skyscrapers.

3. Cozy Igloos – For a more relaxed experience, you can reserve one of the private igloos, where you can warm up with friends while enjoying food and drinks in a cozy, festive setting.

4. The Lodge by Prime Video – A popular spot for grabbing seasonal drinks, food, and cocktails. It's a warm indoor space to relax after exploring the outdoor market and ice skating.

4. Holiday Window Displays

During the holiday season, Fifth Avenue becomes a magical display of festive window art, with many of New York City’s top department stores showcasing elaborate, themed displays. These windows are a must-see for visitors and locals alike, featuring creative, intricate designs that capture the holiday spirit.

• Saks Fifth Avenue: Known for its extravagant light show that accompanies the window displays, Saks typically features enchanting holiday scenes, from fairy tales to winter wonderlands, with thousands of lights synchronized to festive music.

• Macy’s Herald Square: Macy’s is famous for its iconic holiday windows, often telling heartwarming stories. The windows are known for their animatronics and detailed artistry, making them a favorite stop for families.

• Bloomingdale’s: Bloomingdale’s displays are chic and stylish, with luxury brands contributing to glamorous, creative scenes. The windows here often feature interactive elements and cutting-edge designs.

• Bergdorf Goodman: This store offers some of the most artistic and sophisticated window displays in the city, often drawing inspiration from art, fashion, and history with dramatic, visually striking themes.

Walking along Fifth Avenue to admire these window displays is a quintessential New York holiday experience, combining creativity, artistry, and the festive joy of the season.

5. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

In Brooklyn, the Dyker Heights neighborhood is famous for its over-the-top, extravagant Christmas light displays. Residents decorate their homes with dazzling lights, inflatables, animatronics, and festive décor, creating a truly magical experience. Visiting this area has become a beloved tradition for locals and tourists alike, with many homes going all out to compete for the best decorations.

6. Central Park Ice Skating 

Skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park is a classic New York winter activity. Surrounded by the city’s skyline and the natural beauty of the park, it offers a picturesque setting for ice skating. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a beginner, the rink provides a memorable experience with stunning views.

7. Holiday Markets

New York City’s holiday markets, such as Union Square Holiday Market and Columbus Circle Holiday Market, are bustling with stalls selling unique gifts, handmade crafts, and seasonal treats. These markets are perfect for holiday shopping and enjoying festive foods like hot cider, gingerbread, and artisanal chocolates, while soaking in the cozy holiday atmosphere.

8. The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet

This iconic ballet, performed at Lincoln Center, is a holiday tradition for many. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score and elaborate costumes, this production of The Nutcracker transports audiences to a magical world of sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and winter wonderlands.

9. Brookfield Place Winter Garden

Located in Lower Manhattan is a stunning holiday destination known for its festive Luminaries light display—an interactive installation of glowing lanterns. The atrium hosts holiday performances, while just outside, The Rink offers ice skating with views of the Hudson River. Visitors can enjoy high-end shopping, dining at Le District, and the picturesque setting of the glass-enclosed atrium with towering palm trees. Located near the World Trade Center, it's a perfect spot for holiday fun, shopping, and relaxation during the Christmas season.

10. Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a beloved annual event that delights visitors of all ages. Held from mid-November through early January, this event transforms the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a miniature wonderland with model trains and handcrafted replicas of New York landmarks.

Intricate Model Trains: The show features model trains that wind through over 175 replicas of famous New York City landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building. These trains travel along nearly a half-mile of track.

Handcrafted Landmarks: The replicas are created entirely from natural materials like bark, leaves, and twigs. Each landmark is meticulously detailed, bringing the city’s most iconic structures to life in a unique, organic way.

Immersive Experience: Set inside the glass-enclosed conservatory, the lush greenery and beautifully lit plants add to the magical atmosphere, making visitors feel as though they’re walking through a holiday-themed New York landscape.

The Holiday Train Show combines art, nature, and the spirit of the season, offering a magical and memorable experience. The craftsmanship of the displays, set against the lush botanical backdrop, creates a truly unique holiday tradition in New York City.

11. SantaCon 

SantaCon is an annual festive event in New York City where thousands of people dress up as Santa Claus (or other holiday characters) and participate in a massive, city-wide pub crawl. It’s a lighthearted and often rowdy event that brings together holiday revelers for a day of bar hopping and fun.

Every year, thousands of people join SantaCon, donning Santa suits, elf costumes, and other holiday attire. The event typically draws a large crowd, filling the streets with holiday-themed characters.

The core of SantaCon is its pub crawl. Participants visit various bars and venues throughout the city, enjoying drinks, music, and a festive atmosphere. Many bars offer drink specials or themed activities for SantaCon participants.

Charitable Aspect: In recent years, SantaCon has focused more on giving back, encouraging participants to donate to charitable causes as part of the event. The organizers have raised significant amounts for local charities through the event.

SantaCon is a quirky, festive way to kick off the holiday season with friends. Whether you're participating in the pub crawl or just observing the spectacle, the event brings a unique sense of holiday fun and cheer to the city, combining costumes, camaraderie, and charity.

12. Gingerbread Lane at the New York Hall of Science

Gingerbread Lane holds the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread village. Visitors can marvel at the impressive structures, all made from gingerbread, icing, and candy, and feel like they’ve stepped into a sweet holiday world.

Gingerbread Lane is a massive display of intricately designed gingerbread houses, made entirely from edible materials like gingerbread, icing, and candy. The village includes hundreds of structures, from houses and storefronts to churches and town squares.

Incredible Detail: Each building in the village is carefully crafted with incredible attention to detail, showcasing a wide variety of architectural styles, colors, and decorations. The use of candy and icing brings the gingerbread creations to life in a magical and fun way.

Interactive Activities: Visitors can participate in gingerbread workshops, where they learn how to make their own gingerbread houses and take part in holiday-themed activities. These hands-on experiences make it a great event for families and kids.

13. Caroling in Washington Square Park

People gather to sing classic Christmas carols under the iconic Washington Square Arch. This festive event usually takes place on Christmas Eve, bringing together locals and visitors to celebrate the holiday spirit through song.

Caroling is a fun and welcoming event where people of all ages, backgrounds, and singing abilities come together to share the joy of the season. It’s a great way to connect with the community and get into the holiday spirit.

Participants sing a variety of traditional Christmas carols, from “Jingle Bells” to “Silent Night.” Songbooks are often provided, so everyone can join in, even if you’re unfamiliar with the lyrics.

The combination of carolers, the large lit Christmas tree, and the holiday decorations create a cozy and magical atmosphere in the park. Many attendees also come dressed in holiday attire, adding to the festive vibe.

The event is free and open to the public, making it a great, low-cost way to enjoy a quintessential New York Christmas experience.

14. Holiday Cruises on the Hudson River 

Set sail on a festive holiday-themed cruise along the Hudson River, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline, all decked out in holiday lights. Many cruises offer live entertainment, drinks, and seasonal treats.

The cruises sail along the Hudson River, offering panoramic views of NYC’s iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building, which are often illuminated with festive lights.

The boats are usually decked out in holiday decorations, with Christmas lights, festive music, and even visits from Santa Claus on some cruises. The seasonal decor adds to the magic of the experience.

15. Lotte New York Palace

One of New York City’s most luxurious hotels, and during the holiday season, it transforms into a magical destination with stunning festive decorations. Located on Madison Avenue near St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, the hotel is known for its beautiful holiday displays, making it a must-see spot during Christmas time.

The hotel’s central courtyard features a grand Christmas tree, beautifully decorated with twinkling lights, ribbons, and ornaments. The tree, set against the backdrop of the hotel’s historic architecture, is a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike to take festive holiday photos.

Inside, the hotel is lavishly decorated for the season. The grand lobby and common areas are adorned with wreaths, garlands, and luxurious holiday displays that evoke the feeling of a winter wonderland. The hotel’s elegant design and seasonal decor create a warm, festive atmosphere.

16. Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show

One of New York City's most dazzling holiday displays, drawing crowds each year with its spectacular lights and festive atmosphere. Held on the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue building, just across from Rockefeller Center, this annual event has become a holiday tradition for both locals and tourists.

The entire facade of the Saks Fifth Avenue store is transformed into a massive, animated light show, featuring thousands of LED lights synchronized to festive music. The show typically runs every few minutes in the evenings, creating a magical experience for viewers.

Each year, the light show is designed around a specific holiday theme, with the building adorned in seasonal decor. Past themes have included winter fairy tales, enchanted castles, and classic holiday scenes, all beautifully lit and choreographed.

17. Grand Central Holiday Fair 

The Grand Central Holiday Fair is one of New York City’s premier indoor holiday markets, located inside the iconic Grand Central Terminal. This festive market takes place in the Vanderbilt Hall, a beautiful space that enhances the holiday shopping experience with its grand, historic architecture.

Here’s what makes the Grand Central Holiday Fair special:

Unique Gifts: The fair features a curated selection of over 70 vendors offering high-quality, unique gifts. Shoppers can find a wide range of products including handmade jewelry, artwork, clothing, holiday decorations, toys, and gourmet foods. It’s a great place to discover one-of-a-kind items that make perfect holiday gifts.

Indoor Setting: Unlike many of the other holiday markets in New York, the Grand Central Holiday Fair is indoors, making it a comfortable shopping experience regardless of the weather. The warm, elegant atmosphere inside the terminal provides a cozy respite from the cold.

Historic Location: Shopping at Grand Central Terminal adds a sense of nostalgia and grandeur. The fair is held in the Vanderbilt Hall, which boasts high ceilings, marble floors, and chandeliers, creating a luxurious backdrop to your holiday shopping

18. Christmas Eve Services at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine 

A spiritually uplifting and awe-inspiring experience in one of New York City's most majestic and historic churches. Located in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and its Christmas Eve services draw large crowds each year to celebrate the season in a grand, solemn setting.

The highlight of the Christmas Eve services is the Midnight Mass, a moving, candlelit ceremony that begins at 10:30 PM with the prelude of Christmas carols. The mass itself is a beautiful celebration of the birth of Christ, featuring traditional liturgy, readings, and prayers, accompanied by magnificent organ music and the Cathedral Choir.

For those unable to attend Midnight Mass, the cathedral also offers earlier services on Christmas Eve, including a 4 PM family service, which is more accessible for younger children and families looking to celebrate earlier in the evening.

19. Serendipity 3

An iconic New York City dessert spot known for its decor and indulgent treats, making it a popular destination during the holiday season. Located on the Upper East Side, Serendipity 3 has been a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike since it opened in 1954. It’s especially famous for its extravagant desserts and charming, old-fashioned atmosphere.

20. St. Patrick’s Cathedral

A breathtaking and spiritual destination, especially during the Christmas season. Located on Fifth Avenue, directly across from Rockefeller Center, this stunning neo-Gothic cathedral is one of the most famous religious landmarks in the city and offers a serene, festive experience for visitors during the holidays.

During Christmas, the cathedral is adorned with elegant holiday decorations, including wreaths, garlands, and candles, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The beauty of the cathedral’s architecture, with its towering spires, stained glass windows, and intricate details, becomes even more enchanting with the festive decor