It’s undeniable that New York City is one of the best places to be in the world during the holiday season. With cozy cafes, ice skating rinks, holiday markets, and extravagant light shows throughout each borough, there is no shortage of fun things to do. However, if your time in the city is limited, it is important to find the right activities that are fun and won’t waste your time. Some of the extremely touristy activities, despite being extremely crowded, are still must-do’s while others can undoubtedly be skipped. I have narrowed hundreds of different options into the compact list below, providing the perfect activities to let you experience the magic of Christmastime in New York.
Visit Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is probably the most well-known tourist attraction in NYC during the holidays, and for good reason. Each year, a 70-100 feet tall Norway Spruce Tree from the region of upstate New York is brought to Rockefeller Center and decorated with over 50,000 LED lights. The tree is lit for the first time every year in a ceremony on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving, which this year is on November 29th. Those interested in being the first ones to see this year’s tree completely lit up can attend the ceremony and delight in the holiday spirit as a crowd of people collectively watch the stunning lights illuminate the plaza.
Pictures of the tree don’t quite do it justice—it is extraordinary in person. I recommend going to see the tree after sunset to truly capture its glowing beauty and to avoid some of the afternoon crowds. Going early in the morning is good as well, with smaller crowds and a better opportunity for photos in front of the tree.
Marveling at the tree isn’t the only thing to do at Rockefeller Center, there is an ice skating rink as well! Ice skating may be one of the most wintery activities to do in the city, especially skating at Rockefeller Center—a place where some scenes from the iconic Christmas movies Elf and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York were filmed. After an amazing time ice skating, make sure to find one of the many great restaurants nearby for a meal, or simply grab some hot chocolate and stroll down the street to see the decorations at Radio City Music Hall.
Shop at Holiday Markets
There are dozens of unique holiday markets dispersed throughout the city, but the best ones are the Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and Grand Central Holiday Fair. Though these are the most popular, and extremely touristy as well, they deserve the top spots. The markets at Union Square and Columbus Circle are decorated to look like a Christmas wonderland, and have over 150 and 100 vendors, respectively. Grand Central Holiday Market is smaller, with only around 36 vendors, but it is still fantastic because there are so many unique things to buy, it’s a warm indoor activity, and, of course, it’s at Grand Central Station so visitors would get to see the gorgeous building made even prettier by the all of the festive lights around. Since there aren’t any food vendors at this market, it specializes more in home goods, art, and accessories, all of which could make amazing Christmas gifts.
All three markets boast great shopping with spectacular homemade products and jewelry, but for me, the food is the star of the show. At Union Square, visitors can dine on cheesy pasta made in a wheel of parmesan at Cheese Wheel Pasta, sweet corn arepas filled with mozzarella cheese at Palenque Arepas, and hot chocolate topped with graham crackers and freshly torched marshmallows at Rubyzaar Baked. At Columbus Circle, try the mouthwatering dumplings from Dipping Dumplings, hot apple cider donuts and giant gingerbread men from Breezy Hill Orchard, and the most delicious waffles you’ll ever have from Waffles & Dinges.
Stop by New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show and “GLOW”
To escape the bustling, chaotic crowds of the city and step foot in a much calmer, nature oasis, visit the New York Botanical Garden. It is located in the Bronx and has tons of great activities for all ages. One event running at the gardens now through January 15th is the Holiday Train Show. Inside the Conservatory, one of several buildings on the 250-acre site, visitors can observe many detailed trains as they speed around over 200 of NYC’s most iconic landmarks in miniature form. At night, each room’s Christmas trees, lights, and other decorations sparkle, and as holiday music plays over the speakers, everyone is sure to feel the season’s spirit. This event is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is a great way both to get a break from the freezing weather and see a fascinating exhibit.
It is impossible to miss the botanical garden’s light show titled “GLOW” because it covers the entire park. String lights line every single pathway, colorful lights pointed at each tree make them appear blue, red, or purple, and the gardens are filled with shapes like mushrooms and snowballs made out of light. Several “tunnels” are formed out of string lights, and are lit up to be the perfect backdrop for Instagram photos.
See the Lights at Hudson Yards
One of the most beautiful and festive light displays in the city is at Hudson Yards, an upscale indoor shopping center. Decorated with over 2 million sparkling lights, 700 Christmas trees, a lot of ornaments, and an enormous, colorful hot air balloon suspended above the lobby, this building is truly a spectacle. Walking through the several floors of shops and buying Christmas presents is a great way to spend an afternoon this winter, especially with the scent of fresh Van Leeuwen waffle cones in the air—one of the many amazing food choices at Hudson Yards. Make sure to stop by Mercado Little Spain, on the lowest level, where you will be transported out of the cold city into a warm Spain, and be prepared for some of the best tapas of your life. The whole floor is charming and cozy, a perfect way to end a long and cold day of sightseeing and shopping in the city.
Special Screening of Elf at the Empire State Building
I think most people can agree that Elf is one of the best, most well-known Christmas movies of all time. Will Farrell hilariously plays an elf who journeys to New York City after finding out he’s a human who was put up for adoption as a baby. Everyone fell in love with the lighthearted humor, the wholesome characters, and especially the atmosphere of Christmas in New York in the 2000s, making it one of the most successful holiday movies to date. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie’s premiere, and the fact that many scenes were filmed in the building, the Empire State Building is hosting three special screenings of the movie this December. Anyone can attend as long as they pay the hefty $135/person ticket price. The ticket does come with complimentary snacks and drinks and free access to the newly updated observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors. There, guests can see the exhibits and a spectacular 360-degree view of the city. Though the tickets are really expensive, this experience is truly once in a lifetime, and one of the most magical things you can do in NYC during Christmas Time.
Take a Walk Through Central Park and Skate at Wollman Rink
To give your wallet a break after some of the more costly activities on this list, get some hot chocolate and head over to Central Park. If you are lucky enough to be in the park after it has snowed, it will feel like a Christmas wonderland. Experience the joy and wholesomeness of hundreds of children and even adults building snowmen, sledding down the park’s hills, and having snowball fights. For an even more magical time, go to Wollman Rink to ice skate under snowy trees and the beautiful New York City skyline.
Explore NYC’s Christmas Decorations
It seems that in some NYC neighborhoods, there is an unspoken contest for the best Christmas decorations each year. People go all out covering their homes or front stoops with enormous amounts of decorations, especially in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. This town is especially known for its over-the-top Christmas decorations, with every house being more beautiful and bright than the last. For a wonderful Christmas experience or an opportunity for great photos, visit this neighborhood and take in the stunning display of extravagant decorations.
In Manhattan, there may not be houses to decorate but people sure know how to make the most of their front stoop. The brownstones throughout the city, particularly in Greenwich Village and East Village, are charming with beautiful wreaths on every door and window, twinkling lights wrapped around railings, and festive garlands all around. People are often drawn to the beauty and coziness of brownstone homes, and with the Christmas decorations up, there is no doubt that these houses create a truly magical atmosphere in the city.
From eating giant gingerbread men at a holiday market to watching the movie Elf at the Empire State Building, New York has something magical to do at every corner. Though these seven activities and must-visit places are just a glimpse of what New York City has to offer, they do encapsulate the festive spirit of the city during the holiday season and how it comes alive every night with millions of lights.
