The primary time we noticed the Rockefeller Middle Christmas Tree, it was the whole lot 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 evening sky, we lastly understood the magic of Christmas in New York. It’s a spot that may make even probably 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 yr, and our love for the town’s festive spirit has solely grown. We’ve additionally discovered learn how to 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 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
In the event 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 enduring, must-see vacation present.
- Bryant Park Winter Village: The perfect spot for charming vacation market procuring and ice skating.
- Saks Fifth Avenue Mild Present: The perfect 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 Residence 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 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 yr after yr.
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 visitors jam, go both very early within the morning (earlier than 8 a.m.) or late at evening (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, your entire facade of the Saks Fifth Avenue division retailer is remodeled into a large canvas for a stunning music and lightweight present. The present runs for about 5 minutes and repeats each ten minutes all through the night.
Our tip: The perfect viewing spot is from the central promenade of Rockefeller Plaza. It’s a improbable, 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 gives a special 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 individual for a session with skate leases. The rink can be fairly small and extremely in style, so that you completely must e-book your time slot nicely 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 nicely, at about $34 for 50 minutes at peak season.
- Wollman Rink in Central Park: For probably 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 corresponding to Bryant Park.
See the Empire State Constructing’s Vacation Lights
Each evening 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 will get that excellent photograph 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 flooring and angled glass partitions are an actual thrill. In the course of the holidays, they beautify your entire indoor portion with hundreds of lights, making a spectacular, glittering expertise earlier than you even step outdoors. It gives a very totally different perspective of the town in comparison with the basic commentary decks.
Go to the Oculus
The structure of the World Commerce Middle Transportation Hub, generally known as the Oculus, is gorgeous at any time of yr, but it surely’s particularly stunning in the course of the holidays. Contained in the hovering, white-ribbed construction, you’ll discover festive decorations and sometimes pop-up vacation markets.
Our tip: It’s a improbable indoor spot to heat up on a chilly day, take some unbelievable architectural pictures, and do a little bit of procuring.
The Finest Vacation Reveals & Performances
It took us a number 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 known for its theatre, they usually pull out all of the stops for Christmas. These are two of probably the most iconic performances which might be price planning a visit round. And sure, they’re each price it.
See the Radio Metropolis Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio Metropolis Rockettes
That is arguably probably 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 suggest 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 unbelievable to see in individual. We predict it’s a basic expertise that’s completely price 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 possibly can’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 an attractive expertise for {couples} or households in search of a timeless piece of vacation tradition.
There’s a particular form of power to vacation procuring throughout Christmas in New York. The town is buzzing, the shops are superbly adorned, and the festive markets pop up in a number 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 appears like just a little 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 by the stalls. The mix of individuals ice skating, the enormous Christmas tree, and the festive environment 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 Honest is the place you need to head. That is one in all 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 a terrific, less-crowded possibility for locating distinctive presents, and also you get to do your procuring contained in the magnificent Grand Central Terminal.
See the Unimaginable 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 artworks for the vacations. You’re feeling like you’re in a winter wonderland.
Our tip for avoiding the crowds: As a substitute of battling the lots 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 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 might be completely price the additional effort.
Be Amazed by the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
In the event you 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 might be extra like large artwork installations.
Our private take: We had been fully blown away. It’s an unbelievable spectacle of lights, large inflatable snowmen, and music.
Insider tip: One of the best ways to get there’s to both e-book 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 principle shows are between eleventh to thirteenth Avenues from 83rd to 86th Avenue.
See the Vacation Prepare Present on the New York Botanical Backyard
It is a really distinctive and beloved NYC custom. The Vacation Prepare Present options mannequin trains zipping by 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 improbable solution to spend a day, particularly when mixed with their out of doors mild present, GLOW. Be sure you e-book your tickets nicely prematurely because it’s highly regarded.
Planning Your New York Christmas Journey
A bit little bit of planning goes a good 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.
The best way to Get Round
Navigating New York is surprisingly simple when you get the grasp of it.
- The Subway: That is, indubitably, the quickest and best solution to cowl longer distances. We suggest 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 one of the simplest ways to see the town and soak within the festive environment. You’ll miss a lot in case 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 ft are drained or if we’re travelling late at evening. Site visitors, particularly in the course of the holidays, could be extremely gradual.
The place to Keep for the Holidays
Staying in the appropriate location could make or break your journey. For a Christmas go to, we suggest 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 filled with our private suggestions.
- For the Final Festive Vibe: Staying close to Rockefeller Middle or Occasions 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 Facet. You’ll nonetheless have simple subway entry however a extra relaxed place to return to at evening.
What to Pack for a New York Winter
- Damaged-in, Comfy Boots: That is non-negotiable. You’ll be doing a large quantity of strolling, and cozy, waterproof boots are your most essential 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 while you’re watching mild reveals or strolling by markets.
Steadily 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 may 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 fully rushed, we suggest a minimum of 4 full days. This offers 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 reveals 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 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 cause why Christmas in New York is known around the globe and why we love visiting throughout this time of the yr. There’s a particular form of power 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 can stick with you lengthy after you’ve left.
When you’ve got any extra questions, drop them within the feedback beneath! We’re at all times comfortable to assist.
