19 Magical Things To Do This
Christmas In New York
Twinkling lights, brisk air, hot chocolate while strolling through a snowy Central Park – is there anything more magical than Christmas in New York? The City is massive and theres so much to explore from shows to holiday windows, Christmas markets, and Santa Claus! This list is some of the best of the best Christmas in New York treasures!
Shows To See This Christmas In New York
Radio City Rockettes: An American classic, the Rockettes have been performing since 1925 with precision and grace. The Rockettes have called the iconic Radio City Music Hall home since 1932 and can be found every year performing what’s become an absolute Christmas in New York classic.
The Nutcracker Ballet: A Christmas story crafted in 1892 to Tschaikovsky’s music, this ballet has been performed the world over, from young ballerinas in their first slippers to Misty Copeland. While you can likely find a performance of the Nutcracker anywhere, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at New York’s Lincoln Center is a total wonder. Transporting sets, intricate costumes, live music, and 90 dancers – this show will knock your fuzzy Christmas socks right off.
A Christmas Carol: This 1983 Dickens novel has been turned into innumerable plays and movies. With such an abundance of takes on the classic, you’d think creativity may have run dry, but this year, Tony Award-winning Jefferson Mays is back with a completely fresh take on A Christmas Carol. November 8th through January 1st, Mays will play over 50 roles in a purely astonishing act that will lift your Christmas spirits.
New York Christmas Markets
During the holidays, New York opens a few European-style Christmas markets, where you can grab a hot chocolate or mulled wine and meander through rows of booths. Small businesses and local boutiques offer unique gifts that may help you tick some of your loved ones off your shopping list. If you’re not in the mood for shopping, lace up your skates at Bryant Park’s ice skating rink at the center of its market.
Lights And Decorations
Rockefeller Center Tree: A tree has been raised in Rockefeller Center since 1931 and has grown in size and magnitude ever since. Typically 70 to 100 feet tall with 50,000 lights, this tree is a centerpiece of Christmas in New York. If you’re planning a trip to New York at Christmas, this is probably already on your list. A word of warning: it’s on everyone else’s list too, so I would aim to go on a weekday, if possible, to avoid insane crowds.
6th Ave Red Ornaments: These massive steel and fiberglass balls bring Christmas sparkle to 6th avenue. Complex construction paired with simple beauty, these smile-inducing balls are a must-visit.
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn Christmas Lights: One Dyker Heights resident took Christmas decorations to the next level in the 1980s, and soon enough, the rest of the neighborhood had to join in. Now Dyker Heights is known as New York’s prime neighborhood for lights and decoration viewing. Over 100,000 people make it to the area every season! Accessible by car or train, head over after dark between Thanksgiving and January for a diverse display.
Botanical Gardens Train Show: Model trains travel around a course of miniature New York landmarks made entirely of natural materials including birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks. Witness the realistic and mind-blowing the course of 190 replicas.
Department Store Windows: New York City department stores take Christmas window displays to the next level. In recent years with technological advancements, they are really incredible wonders. Saks quite literally goes out of the box with these displays. Venture over to Saks 5th Avenue, across the street from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and see a light show that climbs up the walls of the entire block-long building. A few blocks north, witness eye-popping intricacy at Bergdorf Goodman’s windows. Then, head downtown towards Harald Square to the flagship Macy’s location. One of New York’s original department stores and the operator of the famed Thanksgiving’s Day Parade, Macy’s is a holiday stronghold. Expect transportive windows for kids of all ages.
Hudson Yards Shine Bright: At Christmas, the mall at Hudson Yards is completely engulfed in twinkling white lights with grand, decorative air balloons hanging in and outside of the building. Peep the lights and do a little Christmas shopping all at once.
Things To Do This Christmas In New York
Wollman Rink: First opened in 1950, Wollman Rink inside of Central Park offers views of the park and surrounding city. A picturesque and classic rink, there’s no better place to test out your skating skills than Wollman.
Walk through Central Park in the snow: If you’re lucky enough to have a white Christmas in New York, a walk through Central Park must be on your list of things to do this Christmas in New York. The park is absolutely magical in the snow. Plus, you’ll see the joy on the faces of hundreds of kiddos sleighing down snow capped hills. If you’re up for it, grab a sleigh yourself and join in on the fun!
Christmas Bars/Restaurants: Grab a drink at a Christmas decoration wonderland! Enjoy your festive cocktail alongside tons of tinsel, ornaments and lights. Rolf’s German Restaurant is the New York Christmas bar and restaurant. It’s very popular and will definitely be packed through the month of December. I recommend stopping by for a drink, some nosh, and a photo of the incredible spectacle. In addition to Rolf’s, many of New York’s best bars get festive for the season, including the rooftop 230 Fifth establishment, which features large igloos with a view of the Empire State Building. The pop-up Tinseltown Bar is also a Christmas wonderland worth a visit!
Christmas Service at St Patrick’s Cathedral or St John the Devine: New York City’s churches may not be as historic as their European counterparts, but there are certainly a few architecturally spectacular houses of worship. If you’d like to attend a service through the holiday season, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Saint John the Devine are both New York institutions that offer services throughout the season and year.
Explore the most famous toy store: FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the United States and has been featured in many movies. It’s famous Walking Piano attracts children and adults alike. Whether you’re a child or just a child at heart, FAO Schwarz will bring the joy of children at Christmas to everyone.
See Santa Claus! From Santa’s arrival on a magical flying sleigh at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade through Christmas Day, Santa can be visited at the original Macy’s in Herald Square, where children can share their wish lists with Father Christmas himself.
Holiday Nostalgia Train: Beginning after Thanksgiving and running on Sundays through December, travel back into the 1930s aboard the New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Nostalgia Train. Ride along regular NYC subway tracks in a train preserved from the 1930s. While it’s not required to dress in nostalgic garb, many lean fully into the experience, which makes it all the more fun!
Holiday Cruise: The Harbor Line Cruises offer Holiday Cruises on 1920s style yachts decked out in Christmas decorations. Sail around the city sipping cocoa and singing Christmas carols to the music of a live band.
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