December in NYC may be downright freezing, but the city is heating up with festive things to do–with holiday lights, pop-up markets, ice rinks, and year-end events taking over every corner.
From beloved traditions to brand-new experiences, there are endless ways to make the most of the month before the ball drops. To help you plan it all, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do in NYC this December, so you can pack your calendar with only the must-hit events.
Say fir-well to your Christmas tree at Mulchfest
Wrap up the holiday season by saying goodbye to your tree at Mulchfest. NYC Parks continues this NYC holiday tradition each year, helping New Yorkers recycle their Christmas trees into mulch used to nourish trees and make NYC even greener.
Drop off your tree at any Mulchfest location during park hours between December 26 and January 11 or join NYC Parks at Chipping Weekend on Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11. Find a Mulchfest site near you.
Are you one to get lost in fantasy worlds and their moving stories? You’re in luck.
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Candlelight are bringing the magic of Middle-earth to life with Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — a classical music concert at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn Heights.
This 60-minute journey features a string quartet performing iconic scores from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Surrounded by thousands of candles, guests will revisit epic themes as the franchise nears its 25th anniversary. Tickets are now on sale for this stunning tribute to the legendary film trilogy’s powerful soundtrack. Concerts take place on select dates from February 14th to April 25th.
Find the best gifts for your loved ones at a holiday market
Gifts are just better when they’re homemade–but if you’re not exactly the crafty type, nobody ever said you can’t gift a loved one something that was made by someone else.
NYC is full of some of the best holiday markets around, featuring local artisans with tables full of creative offerings. Must-visit markets include:
- ❄️ The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
- ❄️ The Church of Sweden Holiday Market
- ❄️ Holiday Bazaar at Grand Central
See a romantic candlelit concert at QC Spa New York
The QC Spa New York on Governors Island, known for its luxurious outdoor saunas, heated pools, and stunning views of Manhattan, is hosting intimate Candlelight Concerts this winter. Imagine sitting poolside, surrounded by hundreds of candles, while listening to some of New York’s best musicians.
At QC Spa, you’ll feel as if you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle as you tuck yourself into your own pocket of tranquility. Let the flickering candlelight and gentle music wash over you during this relaxing winter escape. Book your tickets for December or January now!
Write your 2026 wishes on confetti that will flutter down over Times Square this New Year’s Eve
This December, Times Square is once again unveiling its New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall, where you can jot down your hopes for 2026 on the same confetti that will flutter down over the crowd at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Each wish collected before December 29 via the in-person Wishing Wall or submitted online will be printed out for the 2026 New Year’s Eve festivities. Read more about the beloved tradition.
Witness the return of an award-winning show
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is officially back in NYC! Based on the book by Tony Award® winner Rachel Sheinkin with music and lyrics by Tony Award® winner William Finn, it’s a night out you don’t want to miss in the Big Apple.
A few lucky audience members are even invited to be volunteer spellers, joining the all-star cast on stage to participate in the Bee! Can you spell “must-see”? Get tickets for this exciting revival!
Lace up your skates at one of NYC’s beloved ice skating rinks
‘Tis the season for triple axels and quadruple jumps…or just trying your hardest not to fall on your butt! There are tons of fun ways to celebrate the temperature drop in NYC, but one of our favorites is by lacing up our skates.
From classics to newcomers, these are the best ice skating rinks in NYC. A quick glance at some of our favs include:
Secure your spot at the Museum of Natural History’s beloved sleepovers
Following a sold-out 2025 run, A Night at the Museum: The Overnight Experience is officially back for 2026 with even more to discover after dark! The event is one of NYC’s most enchanting family traditions, inviting New Yorkers to to roll out their sleeping bags and experience the museum in a way few ever do.
December’s ticket drop has come to an end, but the next ticket drop will be on Tuesday, February 24 for members and Tuesday, March 3 for the general public–get all the details here.
Enjoy the season at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The holidays are underway at Alvin Ailey with Alicia Graf Mack, its new artistic director, at the helm. Unsurprisingly, there is an amazing lineup in store for audiences as the group ushers in its new chapter.
From family matinees to evening performances, Ailey offers a lot to love with classics like Revelations to new favorites like Medhi Walerski’s Blink of an Eye and Jamar Roberts’ Song of the Anchorite, to name a few.
Holiday shows are taking place until January 4th and tickets start at $45. We’ll see you there!
See over 1 million dazzling lights at Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Lightscape
Lightscape returns to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden once again this season, illuminating the holiday season with over one million dazzling lights.
This enchanting after-dark trail features brilliant water features, colorful effects projected onto the trees, and stunning light sculptures. Guests can also enjoy food and drinks along the trail, with new additions this year. Grab your tickets.
Be swept away by music at a dreamy Candlelight Concert
Imagine this: a string ensemble, your favorite songs, a gorgeous setting, and, of course, thousands of glowing candles. That’s the magic of a Candlelight Concert.
And this December, there are plenty of Christmas-themed concerts to truly get you in the holiday spirit! Grab your tickets today.
Experience the Magical Holiday Train Nights at NYBG
The popular Holiday Train Nights at the New York Botanical Garden have returned, offering a unique opportunity to see the famous model trains after dark inside the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
More than 25 incredible model trains and trolleys will be moving through nearly 200 twinkling replicas of NYC landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Plus, guests can enjoy festive sweet and savory bites. Secure your spot to enjoy this enchanting experience.
Hop inside a multi-sensory wonderland with ARTECHOUSE’s Holiday Special experience
For three weeks beginning December 15, ARTECHOUSE is transforming into a multi-sensory wonderland, blending art and technology with festive cheer. Showcasing a toy factory brought to life in Spectacular Factory, plus auxiliary interactive installations inspired by the soothing science of ASMR, guests can enjoy a playful adventure that feels nostalgic and futuristic all at the same time. Get your tickets.
Marvel at all of NYC’s festive Christmas trees
Though the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the crown jewel of Christmas in New York City, there are plenty more spruces glittering all across the city–and they’re all beautiful in their own way! Some standouts include:
- 🎄 Bryant Park Christmas tree
- 🎄 Washington Square Park Christmas tree
- 🎄 Lotte New York Palace Christmas tree
Ring in the New Year with NY1 & Broadway stars
It might be hard to believe, but 2026 is around the corner.
Bid adieu to 2025 and spend its final few hours alongside the NY1 anchors Shannan Ferry and Dean Meminger on December 31st. The duo will countdown to the new year starting at 11pm and have Broadway guests along for the ride!
Additionally, Roger Clark will chat with the crowd braving the cold in Times Square while George Whipple will report from the festivities at Tavern on the Green.
Cozy up with a steamy mug of hot cocoa
Sorry, coffee, but our favorite wintertime sip will always be hot chocolate. Fortunately, NYC is home to plenty of spots that take cocoa to the next level–think: floral marshmallows, boozy twists, and blow torched finishes.
Prefer a classic take? Don’t fret, you can find that in NYC too–these are our favorite spots.
…Or slurp on one of NYC’s best bowls of ramen
When hot chocolate just won’t cut it, ramen is obviously the next best way to warm up on a cold winter’s day. From vegetarian options to “triple pork” bowls, some of our favorite spots include:
- Chuko, Prospect Heights
- HinoMaru, Astoria
- Ippudo, East Village
Explore all of NYC’s new openings
New York City is always keeping us entertained. One of our favorite ways: offering us an endless stream of newly opened restaurants, bars, wellness studios, and everything in between to explore! Here are some of our fav new openings:
- 🥟 Hue House – a new 4-story Asian cultural hub with Taiwanese food, vinyl-fueled cocktails, curated retail, and a wellness studio
- 🍜 Godunk – authentic Thai street food from a Michelin-awarded chef
- 🍣 Muku – a new 10-seat Japanese kaiseki counter that become the fastest restaurant in documented NYC history to land a Michelin star
Work up a sweat on a magical winter hike
Though hiking is typically viewed as warm weather activity, a light snowfall can turn any outdoor stroll into “walking in a winter wonderland” in no time.
Plus, once we enter hibernating season, we’ll take any chance we can get to escape cabin fever in our apartment and enjoy some nature. These are our favorite winter hikes in and around NYC.
Travel back 66 million years at AMNH’s newest dino exhibit
American Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibit, Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs, explores the major asteroid impact 66 million years ago that reshaped life on Earth, as well as the period of renewal that followed.
Visitors will get an up-close look at fossils and fossil casts, immersive animations, life-sized models, dramatic dioramas, and more–our favorite part: the 18-foot-long Triceratops and 27-foot-long Mosasaur! Read all about it.
Listen to your favorite pop songs with a Broadway twist
Broadway Sings takes top theater acts backed by an orchestra for an epic concert series, allowing guests to hear all their favorite artists and songs with a Broadway twist! Some shows we’re currently eyeing include:
Escape the city for a bit & head to one of our favorite getaways
Look, we love New York City, but sometimes we just, like, need a break… Thankfully, when those feelings arise, we’re lucky to have plenty of getaways not too far where we can escape the city’s hustle and bustle for some well-deserved R&R. Some of our favorite getaways include:
- 🌊 This Adirondack Gem With Glassy Lakes, A Thriving Art Scene, & A 125-Year-Old Ice Palace–Recently Named New York’s ‘Most Captivating’ Small Town
- 🇨🇭 America’s ‘Little Switzerland’ Just 2 Hours From NYC — With Fairytale Streets, A Vintage Train, & Alpine Charm
- ✨ This Historic Upstate NY Main Street With Victorian Architecture & Charming Boutiques
Past Events
Enjoy NYC’s best chefs — all in the name of a good cause
This Giving Tuesday (December 2nd), you can feast on dishes from NYC’s best chefs while simultaneously giving back. Talk about a win-win!
Head to The Refinery at Domino (300 Kent Ave.) at 7pm for Skylight Presents: A Culinary Celebration for Jacques Pépin. Whether it’s a French-inspired dish from Chef Aidan O’Neal of Le Crocodile or a hearty bowl of pasta from Chef Sal Lamboglia of Cafe Spaghetti, you’re certainly not leaving the gathering hungry.
Over 20 participants from eateries across the city are on hand to make the evening special. What’s more, the celebration will raise funds for the Jacques Pépin Foundation, which supports its community kitchen programs and educational videos. For a seat at the table and to lend a hand in this great cause, book a spot online.
Marvel at the final full moon of 2025, which will be a dazzling December supermoon
Grab your puffer coat–the final full moon of 2025 is set to light up NYC’s night sky in a grand display of celestial wonder on Tuesday, December 4th, and this year, it’s a dazzling supermoon. This means it’ll appear bigger and brighter than a typical full moon. Read all about it.
Attend the one-day-only Winter Wonder at Queens Botanical Garden
On Sunday, December 7th, this all-ages event will reflect the diversity of the “world’s borough” and provide the perfect holiday vibe without the chaos. They’re going all out with a huge tree lighting, live music, crafts, and tons of festive food.
Grab your tickets and prepare to get in the spirit with seasonal delicacies, shopping for unique gifts at the QBG Shop, and beautiful photo-ops.
Dress up as Santa and bar hop around NYC during SantaCon
Whether you like it or not, on Saturday, December 13th NYC will be swarmed with tipsy Santas, rogue elves, and candy-cane-clad bar crawlers galavanting around NYC in an all-day drinking spectacle. Wherever you land on the SantaCon spectrum–eager participant or eye-rolling avoider–here’s everything you need to know this year.
Frolic through a car-free Fifth Ave during Holiday Open Streets
For only day only this December, NYC’s most festive block will go car-free, giving New Yorkers the chance to frolic around without looking both ways!
On Sunday, December 14th, the street will celebrate with spectacular lights, holiday decor, live entertainment, food and beverage, and one-of-a-kind brand activations. Learn more.
Ice skate with a life-sized menorah at Chanukah on Ice NYC
Chanukah on Ice NYC returns to Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Each winter, the event draws hundreds of families to celebrate Jewish pride, complete with festive Chanukah tunes, kosher treats, and the lighting of a giant ice Menorah. See this year’s details.
