Winter is coming soon to New York City, and that mean it’s nearly the most festive time of the year! The city shines particularly bright with lights illuminating every corner you turn. From the epic lights of Dyker Heights and Saks Fifth Avenue, to all the restaurants and rooftops that have transformed for the holidays—here are 25 of the most festive things happening this season to enjoy a truly magical holiday.
1. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
One of the world’s most famous illuminated Christmas trees stands tall in the heart of Rockefeller Center, and it’s most certainly an item to check off your NYC holiday bucket list. The massive Christmas tree is typically imported into the city in early November and lit during a ceremony in late November! It usually averages around 50,000 multi-colored LED lights, as it sits in the Rockefeller Plaza every day during holiday season.
The tree also overlooks The Rink at Rockefeller Center, a renowned ice rink which opens for the season starting October 12!
2. Go shopping at Bryant Park’s Winter Village
Bryant Park is the place to be for the holiday season in NYC! This holiday market is home to over 180 vendors selling food and gifts, as well as an iconic (free) ice rink, an iceless curling experience, cute chalets, a cafe, and so much more! It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours wandering and taking in the holiday sights and sounds!
It officially opens for the 2024 season starting October 25!
3. Be dazzled by the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights are a collection of extravagant and dazzling home holiday light displays in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn each year. Typically, between the weekend after Thanksgiving and NYE, visitors can stroll through the area (or take a paid walking tour) to check out the incredible tradition that’s been happening for more than 30 years, spanning three avenues and several streets.
4. Admire NYBG’s charming Holiday Train Show
The Annual Holiday Train Show is back at the New York Botanical Garden starting November 16! Watch model trains travel through NYC landmarks—like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, and others—as adorable miniatures made out of natural materials like birch bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. Learn more about NYBG’s Holiday Train Show here.
5. Go ice skating
Nothing says winter (and the holiday season) like a visit to the ice rink! The Wollman Ice Rink is a Central Park staple, the Rink at Rockefeller Center is right near the famous tree, and the rink at Bryant Park is inside a holiday market! Find more rinks to check out here.
6. Enjoy the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular
One of New York City’s greatest Christmas shows, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, is set to return starting November 8. The legendary Rockettes will get kickin’ once again this season, bringing their unforgettable and spirited performance to NYC all throughout the holidays! Learn more about the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes here.
7. Visit some holiday markets
What would the holiday season in NYCbe without our enchanting holiday markets? We of course mentioned Bryant Park’s Winter Village earlier, but there are plenty of others like the Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and more that happen annually. Check out all of NYC’s holiday markets here!
8. Check out the holiday window displays
Don’t worry if you can’t afford anything at those luxurious shops up and down Fifth Avenue (we can’t either). What we can afford though is some nice window shopping! Each year, Fifth Avenue’s shops put on mesmerizing displays, typically with a theme! Here are some of the main players that return each year:
9. Sing-a-long at Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time concert
Get ready for a festive treat as Mariah Carey’s Christmas concert returns to NYC this December! The “Queen of Christmas” will perform her iconic hits, including “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” at three locations: Newark, NJ on December 13, UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY on December 15, and Madison Square Garden on December 17. Tickets are on sale now, with special options for Verizon customers and VIP packages available.
10. Illuminate into the Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Walk through a trail of over 1 million lights at Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Opening November 22 the after-dark and illuminated trail will return, featuring 18 installations by international light artists and design collectives like the Winter Cathedral, Fire Garden, and more. It’s a magical way to experience the Garden’s landscapes, trees, water features, and architectural details under moonlight while enjoying seasonal treats and festive music. Learn more here.
11. Drink at a holiday pop-up bar in NYC
Sip on festive cocktail and take in over-the-top holiday decor when these pop-up bars take over NYC! There only here for a limited time, so be ready to take advantage of their holiday spirit! Check out one that’s been announced below and see the whole list as it gets updated with announcements here:
- Miracle on 9th Street: 649 E 9th St
12. Enjoy a holiday performance at the Candlelight Concert Series
The wildly popular Fever Originals Candlelight series is set to return with holiday-themed concerts! Enjoy some smooth, jazzy renditions of holiday favorites, and feel the music usher in all the good feelings that arrive with the most special time of the year. Join our musicians for an evening gently illuminated by candlelight, and prepare to be taken into the clouds! Check them out here:
- Candlelight: Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
- Candlelight: Holiday Carols on Strings
- Candlelight: Holiday Soul and Jazz Classics
13. Watch NYCBallet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Beginning November 29, the 1954 production of The Nutcracker will return to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. George Balanchine’s rendition of the age-old tale will feature over 150 dancers and musicians, 125 children from the School of Ballet, and gorgeous production assets like a one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 41 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes! It’s all to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NYCB! Purchase your tickets here.
14. Sip on mulled wine in City Winery’s Rockefeller Center igloos
If you’ve been to Chicago you’re likely familiar with the City Winery igloos along the serene Riverwalk. Now a tradition in NYC as well, City Winery brings their annual igloos to Rockefeller Plaza for the holiday season! The Winter Domes at Rockefeller Plaza are a great way to warm up this winter if you’re looking to be at the heart of all the holiday buzz. They typically open to visitors in early December.
15. Hop aboard a vintage holiday train ride
Grab a bit of nostalgia this holiday season thanks to the New York Transit Museum and their vintage holiday train rides! Each holiday season, they roll out vintage cars from the 1930s, featuring rattan seats, paddle ceiling fans, incandescent light bulbs, roll signs, and period advertisements! You’ll really be feeling like a main character. Stay tuned for info about this year’s rides and learn more about them here.
16. Snap photos in front of Lotte New York Palace’s Christmas decor
One of NYC’s best Christmas hotels, the New York Lotte Palace is one of the most stunning during holiday season, and makes you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie! Between the magnificent courtyard Christmas tree, a lively outdoor bar, speciality holiday cocktails, and letters to Santa, there’s so many ways to get in a festive mood! Bookmark this spot for the holiday season and learn more here.
17. Be dazzled by the best holiday light displays all over NYC
Dazzling light displays are already starting to appear all across the boroughs, lighting up some of NYC’s most famous buildings, landmarks, and gardens! Check out some of the best holiday light locations here and some selects below:
18. Get into the holiday spirit at spots that go ALL-OUT with decor
There’s no time of year quite like this in New York City…And one of the best ways to get in a festive mood is completely immersing yourself in all of the gorgeous decor around town! From restaurants, to lighting displays, to hotels, these NYC locales are the perfect places to get in the holiday spirit.
- Rolf’s, , Gramercy
- Loreley Beer Garden,, Lower East Side
- Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Times Square or Union Square
19. Go on a quick getaway to magical Christmas towns near NYC
Though NYC is quite magical over the holidays, it’s also nice to visit some spots outside of the city to see how they celebrate! ‘Tis the season for wreathed street lamps and garlands lighting up small town streets. Find out all the adorable Christmas towns you can visit nearby, right here.
20. Grab a view at a winter rooftop bar
It’s never too late to enjoy a rooftop drink, no matter how cold it might get! Between retractable roofs to fireplaces and heated seating, there’s plenty of spots to ascend to! Plus, many even take on winter wonderland transformations! Here’s a few of our favorite winter rooftops:
- 230 Fifth Rooftop, Flatiron
- Magic Hour Rooftop, Midtown
- Winter Wonderland at Somewhere Nowhere, Chelsea
Full list here.
21. Take in other gorgeous trees around the city
Sure, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree gets all the glory—but there are so many other stunningly decorated trees all over the city! From the park to the Palace (hotel, that is), these stops are perfect to add to your route as you explore all the holiday fun in NYC:
- The Lotte New York Palace
- The Peninsula Hotel
- Brookfield Place
22. Watch one of NYC’s menorahs illuminate for Hannukah
Hanukkah this year starts on December 25 and goest through the New Year, and NYC always celebrates with some iconic menorah lightings! Stay tuned for which ones will be illuminating this year, but you can expect the main players…including the world’s largest menorah on Fifth Avenue and the [trackLink link_url=”https://secretnyc.co/largest-menorah-in-brooklyn/”]massive lighting at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn[/trackLink]!
23. Stop and take a photo with Santa Claus
Santa Claus is coming to town…and that means it’s time to get in your last-minute Christmas wishes! Perfect as a holiday activity with your kids, the jolly man himself will be stopping by plenty of places around NYC to meet and take pictures with! Stay tuned for this year’s list of best places in NYC to meet Santa!
24. Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND New York
Just outside NYC at LEGOLAND in Goshen, NY, you can check out the resort’s third annual Holiday Bricktacular….a winter wonderland transformation of the LEGO theme park! Running on select days during November and December, the event will feature a LEGO-built Christmas tree, festive décor, brand-new shows, never-before-seen characters Snowman, Reindeer Girl and Gingerbread Man, plus a whole lot more! Learn more about the Holiday Bricktacular here!
25. Let your tastebuds run rampant at Dining in the Dark
Ever wondered what it is like to eat in the dark? Go on a sensory culinary experience like none-other this holiday season with this mysterious dining journey! In one of these two experiences, you’ll be blindfolded…all while taste testing out some of delectable dishes curated by NYC chefs. It’s an unparalleled food encounter that will bring you on a journey of discovery!
🍽️ Buy your tickets to Dining in the Dark here!