New York City is getting a little taste of alpine adventure this holiday season, and you won’t even need to leave Manhattan to experience it.
A first-of-its-kind snow slide is making its debut at Herald Holiday Fair in Greeley Square, giving New Yorkers a brand-new way to embrace the festive season — and perhaps channel their inner winter Olympian.
Alongside returning favorites like the double-decker Christmas carousel, a magical virtual reality sleigh ride, and plenty of seasonal treats, this year’s fair is bringing a whole new meaning to holiday fun in the heart of Midtown.
What to know: The Herald Holiday Fair
Organized by the 34th Street Partnership, the Herald Holiday Fair stretches along Broadway between 32nd and 36th Streets, rolling out in two festive stages:
- Phase One (Now Open): Attractions in Greeley Square (at 33rd Street and Broadway) officially opened on Thursday, November 12. Visitors can take a spin on the beloved Double-Decker Christmas Carousel ($10 per person), hop aboard the Magical Sleigh Ride ($15 per person) for a virtual reality journey through a winter wonderland, or brave the brand-new Snow Slide ($15 per person).
- Phase Two (Starting December 2): The fair expands north into Herald Square (between 34th and 36th Streets) with the Market by Urbanspace, featuring outdoor holiday shopping stalls, local food vendors, sweet treats like S’mores N’more’s torched marshmallow hot chocolate, and a warm cocktail bar. Herald Square will also debut a Giant Rocking Horse photo op ($30 per group, souvenir photo included).
- Hours & Admission: All rides and attractions operate daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (closed Thanksgiving Day), while the Urbanspace Market will run daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM through January 2, 2027. All attractions are tap-to-pay onsite only and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to take a spin on the slide
Located in Greeley Square just south of the Christmas Carousel, the three-lane Snow Slide brings gravity-assisted tubing right to the middle of Manhattan. Here is how to plan your run:
- Tickets & Rides: A $15 ticket gets you a wristband with three redemption tabs good for three non-transferable runs down the slide. You don’t have to use them all at once—as long as your wristband stays attached, you can leave and come back later to use your remaining runs, though you will need to rejoin the end of the standard line each time.
- Riding Together: The slide features three parallel lanes. During peak hours, staff will assign lanes to keep the line moving, though off-peak visitors may be able to coordinate side-by-side runs with friends or family. Accommodations can also be made for children under 10 to ride alongside an adult chaperone.
- What to Keep in Mind: Because the slide is an outdoor, weather-dependent attraction, it will temporarily close during rain or inclement weather (check @34thstreetnyc on social media for live updates). Additionally, access to the top of the slide is via a staircase, so riders must be able to climb the stairs and carry their own snow tube unassisted.
Whether you’re looking to add a little extra excitement to your holiday shopping trip or simply want to embrace your inner kid this winter, Herald Holiday Fair is shaping up to be a festive Midtown stop worth adding to your seasonal plans. Just don’t forget your hot chocolate after the ride!
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