The primary time we noticed the Rockefeller Middle Christmas Tree, it was every part we’d hoped for. With the sound of carolers within the air, skaters gliding throughout the ice beneath, and the large tree glittering towards 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 lately simply final 12 months, and our love for the town’s festive spirit has solely grown. We’ve additionally realized the right way to navigate the crowds, discover the actually 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 proper vacation journey. We need to share our insider ideas and favorite moments that will help you expertise the true, unforgettable magic of Christmas in New York Metropolis.
High 5 Can’t-Miss NYC Christmas Experiences
Should you’re brief on time or feeling overwhelmed by the choices, these are the 5 experiences that we consider 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: The most effective spot for charming vacation market purchasing and ice skating.
- Saks Fifth Avenue Mild Present: The most effective 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 just’ve seen in numerous vacation films, like Elf, Scrooged or Residence Alone 2. They’re widespread for a purpose 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 dimension 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 previous.
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 pictures.
Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue Mild Present
Proper throughout from Rockefeller Middle, the complete facade of the Saks Fifth Avenue division retailer is remodeled into an enormous canvas for a stunning music and light-weight present. The present runs for about 5 minutes and repeats each ten minutes all through the night.
Our tip: The most effective viewing spot is from the central promenade of Rockefeller Plaza. It’s a incredible, and utterly 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 affords a unique expertise.
- Rockefeller Middle: Skating right here is the basic, bucket-list dream, and it’s a tremendous expertise. Nevertheless, it’s additionally insanely costly. Count on to pay upwards of $50 per particular person for a session with skate leases. The rink can also be fairly small and extremely widespread, so that you completely must e book your time slot properly 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 gorgeous backdrop of the New York Public Library. The fee is cheaper as properly, 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 timber of Central Park and the long-lasting Midtown skyline within the background feels such as you’re in a film. The fee is corresponding 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 most effective views of the constructing itself are from a distance. We love the view from the High of the Rock at Rockefeller Middle, the place you may get that excellent 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 best out of doors sky deck within the Western Hemisphere, and its glass ground and angled glass partitions are an actual thrill. In the course of the holidays, they adorn the complete indoor portion with 1000’s of lights, making a spectacular, glittering expertise earlier than you even step outdoors. It affords a totally totally different perspective of the town in comparison with the basic statement decks.
Go to the Oculus
The structure of the World Commerce Middle Transportation Hub, often known as the Oculus, is beautiful at any time of 12 months, however it’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 unbelievable architectural pictures, and do a little bit of purchasing.
The Greatest Vacation Exhibits & Performances
It took us a couple of 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. The town is legendary for its theatre, and so they pull out all of the stops for Christmas. These are two of essentially the most iconic performances which are 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 planet, and it takes place within the legendary Radio Metropolis Music Corridor. It’s a real New York establishment. We advocate you are taking 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 unbelievable to see in particular person. We expect it’s a basic 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 basic and inventive vacation custom, you may’t beat seeing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker carried out by the New York Metropolis Ballet at Lincoln Middle. The costumes, the unbelievable dancing, and the well-known rating create a very magical and stylish night. It’s a ravishing expertise for {couples} or households in search of a timeless piece of vacation tradition.
There’s a particular sort of vitality to vacation purchasing throughout Christmas in New York. The town is buzzing, the shops are superbly adorned, and the festive markets pop up in a few of the most iconic areas. If these don’t get you into the Christmas spirit, I don know what’s 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 slightly 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 scorching chocolate and simply wandering via the stalls. The mix of individuals ice skating, the large 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 outdoors is chilly outdoors, the Grand Central Vacation Truthful is the place you need to head. That is considered one of our favorite indoor markets. It’s smaller and extra curated than the large out of doors ones, specializing in high-quality, American-made presents. It’s an awesome, 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 can be full with out visiting the well-known department 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 might be in a winter wonderland.
Our tip for avoiding the crowds: As an alternative 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 superbly lit, and you’ll 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 are completely value the additional effort.
Be Amazed by the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Should you assume 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 are extra like huge artwork installations.
Our private take: We had been utterly blown away. It’s an unbelievable spectacle of lights, big inflatable snowmen, and music.
Insider tip: One of the simplest ways to get there may be to both e book a devoted bus tour from Manhattan or take the subway (D prepare to 71st St) and be ready for a few 15-20 minute stroll. The principle shows are between eleventh to thirteenth Avenues from 83rd to 86th Road.
See the Vacation Prepare Present on the New York Botanical Backyard
This can be a actually 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, however it’s a incredible strategy to spend a day, particularly when mixed with their out of doors gentle present, GLOW. Be sure you e book your tickets properly prematurely because it’s highly regarded.
Planning Your New York Christmas Journey
A little bit 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.
Easy methods to Get Round
Navigating New York is surprisingly simple when you get the hold of it.
- The Subway: That is, for sure, the quickest and best strategy to cowl longer distances. We advocate getting an OMNY card or just utilizing the tap-to-pay characteristic along with your bank card or telephone on the turnstiles.
- Strolling: For shorter distances, strolling is one of the simplest ways to see the town and soak within the festive ambiance. You’ll miss a lot for those who’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. Site visitors, particularly in the course of the holidays, will be extremely sluggish.
The place to Keep for the Holidays
Staying in the precise 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 an entire information devoted to the place to remain within the metropolis that is stuffed 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’ll be doing an enormous quantity of strolling, and cozy, waterproof boots are your most essential piece of drugs.
- 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 whenever you’re watching gentle exhibits or strolling via markets.
Continuously Requested Questions About Christmas in NYC
Listed below are our fast solutions to a couple extra widespread questions we get about planning a vacation journey to the town.
You possibly can anticipate to see a lot 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 usually lit for the primary time on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving.
To comfortably see the principle vacation sights with out feeling utterly rushed, we advocate not less than 4 full days. This provides you sufficient 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 sights, eating places, and ice skating rinks are open. It’s typically 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 purpose why Christmas in New York is legendary all over the world 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 utterly distinctive. We hope this information, constructed from our personal vacation adventures, helps you discover the moments of magic that can stick with you lengthy after you’ve left.
You probably have any extra questions, drop them within the feedback beneath! We’re at all times joyful to assist.
