I’ll be honest! Exploring New York City during the holiday season is like nothing I have ever experienced before. From iconic Christmas trees to ice skating in Central Park. The “Big Apple” is just bursting with holiday spirit.
With dazzling bright lights around every corner and festive Christmas markets everywhere, you won’t want to miss what New York City has in store. Check out below my top things to do in NYC at Christmas with family and friends.
Spending the Holidays in New York? Don’t miss my top things to see & do in New York City at Christmas
1. Visit the Rockafeller Center Christmas Tree
Visiting New York City at Christmas would not be complete without visiting the most celebrated of all Christmas trees which is the gigantic Christmas tree located at Rockafeller Center.
Located in Midtown Manhatten this iconic Norway spruce is over 75 feet tall and is considered one of the “most visited” Christmas trees in the world.
To kick off the holiday season don’t miss the lighting ceremony of the Rockafeller Center Christmas Tree which usually happens on December 1st complete with live performances by major artists.
Hot Tip: Rockafeller can get pretty busy, especially around 4.30 pm when the Saks Fifth Avenue light show starts. Avoid fewer crowds by viewing later at night or super early in the morning.
2. Christmas Shopping at Macy’s
There’s no better place to find all of your Christmas gifts than at Macy’s. Fun fact! Macy’s was actually the very first department store to feature such enchanting Christmas window displays, a tradition that still lives today.
Shop until you drop at New York’s largest department store, enjoy the many Christmas celebrations & events such as tree lighting, Holiday Lane & Macy’s famous Santaland experience.
Hot Tip: Macy’s Flagship store is one of the busiest department stores in the city! If busy holiday crowds aren’t your thing then I recommend skipping this store, we found it to be way too crowded especially in those last few days leading up to Christmas.
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3. Admire the Christmas Holiday window displays
Who doesn’t love a little window shopping! Don’t miss some of New York’s most famous holiday window displays.
Recognizable stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Macy’s & Bloomingdales create storefront displays that are ideal works of art.
The best thing about visiting these beautiful displays is that a few of the stores are all relatively close to each other making it easy to view. Gazing at these iconic windows is a must-do activity when spending Christmas in NYC.
Best Christmas window spots!
5th Avenue: This is where you will find luxury stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Cartier, Louis Vuitton & the famous Saks Fifth Avenue.
Herald Square 34th Street: Macy’s is another crowd favorite for Christmas windows. Located in Herald Square Macys flagship store is the largest in the world and each year showcases a unique theme in their windows.
59th Street: Here is where you’ll find the enchanting windows displays at Bloomingdales. The 59th Street flagship store is decked out with six different displays full of bright colors and the latest fashion trends.
4. Indulge in fastive holiday treats
From simple holiday classics to over-the-top confections, don’t miss out on trying some of the most indulgent-worthy desserts in New York City this season.
– The peppermint brownies at Baked NYC
– The chimney cake at The Stackery in Bryant Park’s Winter Village
– The Holiday cupcakes at Sprinkles Cupcakes
– Red velvet banana pudding & holiday cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery
– The eggnog at Miracle on 9th Street
5. Watch the Nutcracker Ballet
What would a trip to New York be without a few live shows? Enjoy George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the NYC Ballet.
This must-see classic is a top favorite for many broadway fans. Performed at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Tickets vary from $60 to $150 depending on seats.
The Nutcracker Ballet is based on a story called “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” As of today the ballet showcases a slightly different story to that of the original however, the basic plot remains the same.
It’s a story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
6. Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
Along with the Christmas window displays you won’t want to miss the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show which is on display through the end of December.
This impressive light show starts at 4.30 pm each day and ends at 11 pm and runs every ten minutes.
The lights can be seen at their flagship store at 49th street and 5th avenue across from Rockafeller Center. It’s by far my favorite light display in all of New York City.
7. Browse Bryant Park Winter Village
Every year Bryant Park is transformed into a winter village wonderland, complete with a large ice skating rink, 170-holiday vendors, food hall, and more.
Bryant Park Winter Village is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat and finish up your last-minute Christmas shopping. This festive Christmas market is open from 11 am – 8 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am – 8 pm Saturdays & Sundays.
Ice skating at Bryant Park is also free, you may bring your own or rent skates for $15.00 each.
Bryant Park isn’t the only holiday market in the city, there is also Union Square Holiday Market located between 14th and 17th Street along Broadway.
Grand Central Market, located in the iconic Grand Central Terminal, and Columbus Circle Holiday Market, located at 59th street and Broadway.
Hot Tip: Bryant Park Winter Village is located outside, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing!
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8. Enjoy ice skating in Central Park
Ice skating in New York City during the holidays is certainly a bucket list item for many first-time visitors.
The most popular ice skating rinks in New York are Wollman Rink in Central Park, Bryant Village Ice Skating Rink and the most famous is The Rink at Rockefeller Center.
There is also ice skating at Lasker Rink, located in the northern part of Central Park. It’s not as popular and touristy as Wollman Rink and still has beautiful views of the city. Be sure to check in advance if this rink is open as of 2021 it was temporarily closed.
If it’s your Christmas wish is to skate at any of the above rinks then I highly suggest booking your ticket online that way you’re not waiting for hours in line.
We pre-booked tickets to skate at Wollman Rink in Central Park and had the best time. Do keep in mind ticket prices do become more expensive on weekends and the closer it gets to Christmas.
9. Enjoy New York’s best rooftop bars
Take in the gorgeous skyline views from some of New York’s best rooftop bars!
During the holiday season, New York’s best rooftop bars and restaurants are converted into cozy indoor igloos where you can cozy up in front of the fireplace and enjoy delicious hot cocktails.
Some of the best spots to check out are Westlight – I had my 30th here, and the views here are absolutely stunning. The roof at Republic, PHD Terrace – this place has delicious cosmos and a great view of Times Square.
Mr. Purple and 230 5th – This place has outdoor bubble domes which are really cool.
10. Admire the Dyker Heights Christmas lights in Brooklyn
Head on over to Brooklyn and check out the Christmas decoration lights at Dyker Heights. This New York City neighborhood is well-known for its over-the-top Christmas lights, life-sized Santas, colorful decorations & more.
The streets are located from 11th to 13th ave (aka Dyker Heights Blvd) and between 83rd to 86th street. Every year around Christmas time people from all over flock to catch a glimpse of these stunning light displays.
The best time to visit the lights is during the weekday as it can get pretty busy on the weekends. The houses turn on their lights at sunset and are turned off around 10 pm each day.
Getting There
You can get there by train and then take an Uber to the lights. This is what we did and it worked out great, we didn’t have to worry about parking.
You can also take a guided bus tour, this is also great if you want to know more about the history behind the lights.
11. Check out the many festive bars & restaurants
What I love about NYC is that as much as they decorate the outside with beautiful Christmas decor they also go all out on the inside as well.
Don’t miss the many bars and restaurants that go above and beyond with their Christmas decorations including Rolf’s German Restaurant arguably the most festive restaurant in all of NYC. La Grande Boucherie, Tavern on the Green, and Lillie’s Victorian Establishment.
Hot Tip: Rolf’s is an incredibly popular restaurant, you’ll want to book early to get in here!
12. View the Christmas tree and nativity scene at the Met
If you’re on the hunt for more gigantic Christmas tree displays then you won’t want to miss The Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree loacted in the Medieval Sculpture Hall.
This 20-foot blue spruce is beautifully decorated in 18th-century angel ornaments and displays an artistic nativity scene at its base complete with over 200 figures of townsfolk, sheepherders & animals. By far my favorite tree display in NYC.
How it all started! Loretta Hines Howard was a patron of the Met museum and began collecting nativity figures in 1925, in 1957 she had the best idea to place all of these nativity figures on a Christmas tree at the Met, a few years later Loretta gave her entire collection to the museum.
As of today, The Met Christmas Tree displays more than 200 unique objects from her collection. People from all over the world visit The Met just to glance at this stunning Christmas tree display.
13. Enjoy afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel
Feeling extravagant? Why not enjoy an afternoon of tea and cake at the world’s most famous Plaza Hotel.
Serving daily from 12.00 pm to 4.30 pm, you can indulge in what’s considered to be New York’s most extravagant afternoon tea experience.
There are 3 high tea options to choose from, the Champagne tea at $125, The New Yorker tea at $95, and the Children’s Eloise tea at $75.
Bookings are essential if you wish to dine at the hotel’s Court Plam and smart casual dress attire is also strongly encouraged.
If high tea at the Plaza is a little outside your budget, you can always head to the Plaza’s Food Hall located just below the hotel.
This place is filled with many delicious cakes, pastries, and desserts it’s impossible to choose just one. They also offer counter-style dining options as well. (My top rated)
14. Visit the Lotte New York Palace Christmas Tree
Another must see location is the Lotte New York Palace to check out their beautifully decorated Christmas Tree.
The moment you see this massive tree decorated in a billion bows and baubles you’ll want to take all the pictures! This tree is so beautifully decorated and is a perfect spot to soak in those NYC Christmas vibes.
If you also happen to love teen drama then you will immediately recognize this place as Serena van der Woodsen’s home in the hit tv show Gossip Girl.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the Lotte Christmas Tree this year as the hotel was undergoing major renovations. Hopefully, it will be back for 2022 and looking just as enchanting as ever.
15. Take Stroll Around Central Park
There’s nothing more relaxing than taking a stroll in Central Park during the winter holidays. We spent the afternoon on Christmas Day leisurely wandering through the park and visiting a few attractions we hadn’t seen before.
The last time we were here we rode bikes through the park which was so much fun. Central Park is massive, there is no way you can see it all in one day. If your looking to cover a lot of ground through the park then hiring bikes is certainly the way to go.
Some of Central Park’s highlights include Balto the sled dog statue, Bow Bridge, the Alice in Wonderland statue, Belvedere Castle (Yes there is an actual castle hidden in the park) Bethesda Arcade, and Fountain, The Carousel, and the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center.
Where To Stay in New York City
Looking for the best place to stay in New York during Christmas? Check out below some of my top hotel recommendations that are close to all the action!
The Lotte New York Palace $$$ – If you’re looking to splurge a little more on accommodation then I highly recommend checking out The Lotte New York Palace.
You may recognize this gorgeous hotel from the show Gossip Girl and its stunning one-of-a-kind Christmas tree display. (Would love to try.)
The Park Central $$ – Located in New York’s Midtown, just a short walk to Rockefeller Center and only a mins walk to the New York Museum of Modern Art & Times Square.
We stayed here on our New York City Christmas trip and it couldn’t have been a more perfect location, it was within walking distance of all the best attractions. (My Top Rated)
The Lexington Hotel $$ – Located in Midtown East and only 2 blocks from 5th Avenue, and only a 15min walk to Times Square, Broadway, and Grand Central Terminal.
M Social Hotel Times Square $$ – Formally known as the Novotel Times Square this hotel is right in the middle of all the action. Just a minute’s walk to everything.
It also has a great outdoor patio that overlooks Times Square making it the perfect spot to watch the ball drop on New Year. (My Top Rated)
Getting There
Travel by train – This year we decided to travel to New York City by train. If you live on the east coast then this may be a great travel option for you, especially if you don’t like to drive in the big cities.
The best way to travel via train is with Amtrak, they have great discounted rates when booking in advance and have amazing onboard services such as free wifi, free baggage, extra legroom & more.
Travel by plane – My go-to website for looking up cheap flights right now is google flights. I always find the best deals on here.
I highly recommend booking early for Christmas time, as flights tend to get more expensive closer to the holidays.
Overall summary, Is it worth the holiday hype?
Is Christmas in New York worth it? The answer is absolutely! If I could recommend anytime to visit New York City during winter it would be around the holiday season.
Yes, the city is a lot more crowded and definitely a lot colder this time of year, but there is no city on earth that does Christmas better than New York.
While many other towns & cities may take a break around the holidays NYC is in full holiday mode offering a variety of fun and festive activities for you to enjoy during the Christmas period.
There is no better way to enjoy the timeless traditions of Christmas than in the city that never sleeps.
Top Insider Tips!
Before I jump into my top tips I just want to note that last year (2021) was quite a special year with covid still about.
Please note that things can change quickly and with little notice. Please check each activity before you arrive for the latest updates to avoid disappointment. There were many things I didn’t get to see that were temporarily unavailable due to Covid.
Whether you plan to eat at Serendipity or Rolf’s ALWAYS book restaurants in advance, If the establishment doesn’t accept them, go early at off-peak times to avoid long waits.
Photo opportunities without the crowds? I highly recommend getting up early, like really early! I also found that if your patient in some spots you will find a quick minute where there isn’t a big crowd of people.
Best Christmas Trees! Rockefeller Center, The Met, The New York Public Libary, The Lotte New York Palace, The Plaza Hotel lobby, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the BNP Paribas Lobby near Times Square.
Fifth Avenue and Rockafeller aren’t the only places that have beautiful Christmas displays, head on over to Sixth Avenue to admire the gigantic red baubles right near the Radio City Music Hall.
Dress for the weather! Most of these attractions are outside, be sure to bring warm clothes. Snow in NYC in December is rather unlikely however, still possible.
NYC is expensive all the time, but New York at Christmas is a whole new level. Save money by booking in advance or with the New York City Pass.
Free things to do in New York at Christmas include the Rockafeller Center Christmas Tree, the 5th Ave Light Show, the 6th Ave Christmas displays, Macy’s Santaland, Bryant Park’s Winter Village, Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & 5th Avenue window displays.
Remember to pack these items!
If you’re visiting New York around this time be sure to pack these commonly forgotten items. As Kevin McCallister would say “Be sure to bundle up if you go outside it’s a little nippy”.
Whew, that was ALOT! I hope you enjoyed this New York Christmas guide, this was my first time spending Christmas in New York and it couldn’t have been any more magical.
There is so much to see and do in NYC during the holidays the list is endless! I only spent a week here and felt like there was more I could still see and do.
Have you spent the holidays in New York City? If so, what’s your favorite thing to do?
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