The primary time we noticed the Rockefeller Middle Christmas Tree, it was all the pieces we’d hoped for. With the sound of carolers within the air, skaters gliding throughout the ice beneath, and the large tree glittering in opposition to the night time sky, we lastly understood the magic of Christmas in New York. It’s a spot that may make even essentially the most cynical traveller really feel like a wide-eyed child once more.
We’ve been again to NYC in the course of the vacation season a number of occasions since, most just lately simply final 12 months, and our love for the town’s festive spirit has solely grown. We’ve additionally realized navigate the crowds, discover the really magical spots, and keep away from the overhyped vacationer traps.
This isn’t simply one other guidelines. That is our private playbook, constructed from years of expertise, that will help you plan the right vacation journey. We wish to share our insider suggestions and favorite moments that will help you expertise the true, unforgettable magic of Christmas in New York Metropolis.
Prime 5 Can’t-Miss NYC Christmas Experiences
If you happen to’re brief on time or feeling overwhelmed by the choices, these are the 5 experiences that we imagine are completely important for an ideal vacation journey.
- Rockefeller Middle: The undisputed coronary heart of Christmas in NYC, from the tree to the ice rink.
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: Essentially the most spectacular neighbourhood lights show you’ll ever see.
- The Rockettes at Radio Metropolis Music Corridor: The long-lasting, must-see vacation present.
- Bryant Park Winter Village: One of the best spot for charming vacation market purchasing and ice skating.
- Saks Fifth Avenue Mild Present: One of the best free vacation spectacle within the metropolis.
Watch Our Video Information to Christmas in New York
To see all this vacation magic in motion, watch our full video information to Christmas in New York.
Iconic NYC Christmas Sights & Experiences
These are the world-famous sights that you simply’ve seen in numerous vacation motion pictures, like Elf, Scrooged or House Alone 2. They’re in style for a cause and are absolutely the cornerstones of any Christmas journey to New York Metropolis.
See the Rockefeller Middle Christmas Tree
That is the epicentre of Christmas in New York. The sheer measurement of the tree, topped with its Swarovski star and surrounded by the golden Prometheus statue and the ice rink, is among the causes we return 12 months after 12 months.
Our private take: Seeing it for the primary time is a core reminiscence for us, and it by no means will get outdated.
Insider tip: To see the tree with out being caught in a human site visitors jam, go both very early within the morning (earlier than 8 a.m.) or late at night time (after 10 p.m.). You’ll get to benefit from the view in relative peace and get a lot better photographs.
Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue Mild Present
Proper throughout from Rockefeller Middle, the whole facade of the Saks Fifth Avenue division retailer is reworked into a large canvas for a blinding music and lightweight present. The present runs for about 5 minutes and repeats each ten minutes all through the night.
Our tip: One of the best viewing spot is from the central promenade of Rockefeller Plaza. It’s a incredible, and fully free, piece of vacation magic.
Go Ice Skating (Rockefeller, Bryant Park, or Central Park)
There are a number of iconic locations to go ice skating, and every presents a distinct expertise.
- Rockefeller Middle: Skating right here is the traditional, bucket-list dream, and it’s a tremendous expertise. Nonetheless, it’s additionally insanely costly. Count on to pay upwards of $50 per particular person for a session with skate leases. The rink can be fairly small and extremely in style, so that you completely have to ebook your time slot effectively prematurely.
- Bryant Park Winter Village: That is our private favorite. The rink is giant, and also you’re surrounded by the charming vacation market and the attractive backdrop of the New York Public Library. The value is cheaper as effectively, at about $34 for 50 minutes at peak season.
- Wollman Rink in Central Park: For essentially the most scenic skate, head to Wollman Rink. Gliding on the ice with the bushes of Central Park and the long-lasting Midtown skyline within the background feels such as you’re in a film. The price is similar to Bryant Park.
See the Empire State Constructing’s Vacation Lights
Each night time in the course of the vacation season, the highest of the Empire State Constructing is lit up in festive pink and inexperienced.
Our private take: Whereas going to the highest is a superb expertise, the perfect views of the constructing itself are from a distance. We love the view from the Prime of the Rock at Rockefeller Middle, the place you will get that good picture of the lit-up Empire State Constructing with the remainder of the downtown skyline.
Expertise Festive Occasions on the Edge at Hudson Yards
For a contemporary tackle a sky-high view, head to the Edge. It’s the very best outside sky deck within the Western Hemisphere, and its glass flooring and angled glass partitions are an actual thrill. Throughout the holidays, they embellish the whole indoor portion with hundreds of lights, making a spectacular, glittering expertise earlier than you even step exterior. It presents a very totally different perspective of the town in comparison with the traditional remark decks.
Go to the Oculus
The structure of the World Commerce Middle Transportation Hub, referred to as the Oculus, is gorgeous at any time of 12 months, but it surely’s particularly lovely in the course of the holidays. Contained in the hovering, white-ribbed construction, you’ll discover festive decorations and infrequently pop-up vacation markets.
Our tip: It’s a incredible indoor spot to heat up on a chilly day, take some unimaginable architectural photographs, and do a little bit of purchasing.
The Greatest Vacation Exhibits & Performances
It took us just a few visits to do it, however seeing a present in the course of the Christmas season is a quintessential a part of the New York vacation expertise. Town is known for its theatre, they usually pull out all of the stops for Christmas. These are two of essentially the most iconic performances which can be value planning a visit round. And sure, they’re each value it.
See the Radio Metropolis Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio Metropolis Rockettes
That is arguably essentially the most well-known Christmas present on the earth, and it takes place within the legendary Radio Metropolis Music Corridor. It’s a real New York establishment. We advocate you take the tour of the Radio Metropolis Music Corridor earlier than you attend the present. It actually provides you an appreciation for the performers and the venue.
Our sincere opinion: Sure, the tickets are costly, however the present is a real spectacle. The precision of the Rockettes’ excessive kicks, the frilly costumes and units, and the sheer scale of the manufacturing are unimaginable to see in particular person. We predict it’s a traditional expertise that’s completely value it for a first-time customer to New York Metropolis at Christmastime.
Watch The Nutcracker by the New York Metropolis Ballet
For a extra traditional and inventive vacation custom, you’ll be able to’t beat seeing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker carried out by the New York Metropolis Ballet at Lincoln Middle. The costumes, the unimaginable dancing, and the well-known rating create a really magical and chic night. It’s a stupendous expertise for {couples} or households searching for a timeless piece of vacation tradition.
There’s a particular sort of vitality to vacation purchasing throughout Christmas in New York. Town is buzzing, the shops are fantastically adorned, and the festive markets pop up in among the most iconic areas. If these don’t get you into the Christmas spirit, I don know what is going to.
Discover the Bryant Park Winter Village
That is our favorite of all the vacation markets within the metropolis. The Bryant Park Winter Village looks like somewhat European Christmas market dropped proper in the midst of Manhattan. It has over 150 little glass huts adorned with Christmas decorations, promoting distinctive presents, crafts, and scrumptious meals.
Our private take: We love grabbing a sizzling chocolate and simply wandering via the stalls. The mixture of individuals ice skating, the enormous Christmas tree, and the festive ambiance makes it an ideal place to spend a day or night.
Store the Grand Central Terminal Vacation Market
If the climate exterior is chilly exterior, the Grand Central Vacation Truthful is the place you wish to head. That is one in every of our favorite indoor markets. It’s smaller and extra curated than the large outside ones, specializing in high-quality, American-made presents. It’s an incredible, less-crowded choice for locating distinctive presents, and also you get to do your purchasing contained in the magnificent Grand Central Terminal.
See the Unbelievable Division Retailer Window Shows
No New York Metropolis Christmas itinerary could be full with out visiting the well-known shops alongside Fifth Avenue; like Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Macy’s. They flip their window shows into elaborate, magical artistic endeavors for the vacations. You are feeling like you’re in a winter wonderland.
Our tip for avoiding the crowds: As a substitute of battling the plenty on a weekend afternoon, go for a “window stroll” after 9 p.m. on a weeknight. The crowds are a lot thinner, the shows are fantastically lit, and you may take your time having fun with the artistry.
Vacation Season Magic Past Midtown Manhattan
Among the most unforgettable New York Christmas experiences require a brief journey away from the principle vacationer hub. These are the locations which can be completely value the additional effort.
Be Amazed by the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
If you happen to suppose you’ve seen spectacular Christmas lights, you haven’t seen something till you’ve been to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. This neighbourhood goes all out, with skilled, over-the-top shows which can be extra like large artwork installations.
Our private take: We have been fully blown away. It’s an unimaginable spectacle of lights, large inflatable snowmen, and music.
Insider tip: The easiest way to get there may be to both ebook a devoted bus tour from Manhattan or take the subway (D practice to 71st St) and be ready for a couple of 15-20 minute stroll. The primary shows are between eleventh to thirteenth Avenues from 83rd to 86th Avenue.
See the Vacation Prepare Present on the New York Botanical Backyard
This can be a really distinctive and beloved NYC custom. The Vacation Prepare Present options mannequin trains zipping via a surprising miniature panorama of greater than 190 iconic New York landmarks, all artistically crafted from pure supplies like bark, twigs, and leaves.
Our take: It’s a magical expertise for all ages. It does require a visit as much as the Bronx, but it surely’s a incredible approach to spend a day, particularly when mixed with their outside mild present, GLOW. Remember to ebook your tickets effectively prematurely because it’s highly regarded.
Planning Your New York Christmas Journey
Slightly little bit of planning goes a great distance, particularly in the course of the busy vacation season in New York. Right here’s our important recommendation on getting round, the place to remain, and what to pack.
Tips on how to Get Round
Navigating New York is surprisingly simple when you get the hold of it.
- The Subway: That is, no doubt, the quickest and best approach to cowl longer distances. We advocate getting an OMNY card or just utilizing the tap-to-pay function along with your bank card or telephone on the turnstiles.
- Strolling: For shorter distances, strolling is the easiest way to see the town and soak within the festive ambiance. You’ll miss a lot should you’re at all times underground. Simply be ready for crowds on the principle avenues.
- Taxis and Rideshares: We solely use taxis or Uber for brief distances if our toes are drained or if we’re travelling late at night time. Visitors, particularly in the course of the holidays, could be extremely sluggish.
The place to Keep for the Holidays
Staying in the appropriate location could make or break your journey. For a Christmas go to, we advocate staying in Midtown Manhattan to be within the coronary heart of the motion. We have now a complete information devoted to the place to remain within the metropolis that is filled with our private suggestions.
- For the Final Festive Vibe: Staying close to Rockefeller Middle or Instances Sq. places you within the epicentre of the vacation buzz.
- For a Barely Quieter Base: Think about a resort a bit additional away from the principle motion, like in Chelsea or the Higher West Aspect. You’ll nonetheless have simple subway entry however a extra relaxed place to return to at night time.
What to Pack for a New York Winter
- Damaged-in, Comfy Boots: That is non-negotiable. You can be doing a large quantity of strolling, and cozy, waterproof boots are your most vital piece of substances.
- Layers, Layers, Layers: The climate can change shortly. Pack thermal layers, sweaters, and a heat, windproof and waterproof outer jacket.
- A Hat, Scarf, and Gloves: These are important for staying heat, particularly within the evenings if you’re watching mild exhibits or strolling via markets.
Regularly Requested Questions About Christmas in NYC
Listed below are our fast solutions to some extra frequent questions we get about planning a vacation journey to the town.
You’ll be able to count on to see many of the main decorations and vacation markets pop up proper after US Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November). The well-known Rockefeller Middle tree is often lit for the primary time on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving.
To comfortably see the principle vacation sights with out feeling fully rushed, we advocate not less than 4 full days. This offers you adequate time to see a present, go to a market, go skating, and discover a neighbourhood or two.
It may be! Whereas many Broadway exhibits and a few shops will likely be closed, you’ll discover that many points of interest, eating places, and ice skating rinks are open. It’s usually rather less crowded than the times main as much as it, making it a surprisingly nice day to be out and about.
The Magic of the Holidays in New York
There’s a cause why Christmas in New York is known around the globe and why we love visiting throughout this time of the 12 months. There’s a particular sort of vitality within the air, a mixture of festive cheer and big-city pleasure that’s fully distinctive. We hope this information, constructed from our personal vacation adventures, helps you discover the moments of magic that may stick with you lengthy after you’ve left.
When you have any extra questions, drop them within the feedback beneath! We’re at all times joyful to assist.
