The primary time we noticed the Rockefeller Heart Christmas Tree, it was the whole lot we’d hoped for. With the sound of carolers within the air, skaters gliding throughout the ice under, and the huge 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 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 instances since, most just lately simply final yr, and our love for town’s festive spirit has solely grown. We’ve additionally realized find out 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 can assist you plan the right vacation journey. We need to share our insider ideas and favorite moments that can assist you expertise the true, unforgettable magic of Christmas in New York Metropolis.
High 5 Can’t-Miss NYC Christmas Experiences
In case you’re quick 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 Heart: 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 procuring 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 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 Heart 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 likely one of 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 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 images.
Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue Mild Present
Proper throughout from Rockefeller Heart, the complete facade of the Saks Fifth Avenue division retailer is remodeled into an enormous canvas for a blinding music and light-weight 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 affords a unique expertise.
- Rockefeller Heart: Skating right here is the traditional, 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 in style, so that you completely must ebook your time slot properly upfront.
- Bryant Park Winter Village: That is our private favorite. The rink is massive, and also you’re surrounded by the charming vacation market and the gorgeous backdrop of the New York Public Library. The price is cheaper as properly, 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 timber 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 purple and inexperienced.
Our private take: Whereas going to the highest is a superb expertise, the very best views of the constructing itself are from a distance. We love the view from the High of the Rock at Rockefeller Heart, 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 very best out of doors sky deck within the Western Hemisphere, and its glass flooring and angled glass partitions are an actual thrill. Through the holidays, they embellish the complete indoor portion with 1000’s of lights, making a spectacular, glittering expertise earlier than you even step exterior. It affords a very completely different perspective of town in comparison with the traditional commentary decks.
Go to the Oculus
The structure of the World Commerce Heart Transportation Hub, generally known as the Oculus, is gorgeous at any time of yr, 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 unimaginable architectural images, 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 legendary for its theatre, and so they 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 advocate you take the tour of the Radio Metropolis Music Corridor earlier than you attend the present. It actually offers you an appreciation for the performers and the venue.
Our trustworthy 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 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 traditional and creative vacation custom, you may’t beat seeing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker carried out by the New York Metropolis Ballet at Lincoln Heart. The costumes, the unimaginable dancing, and the well-known rating create a really magical and stylish night. It’s a ravishing expertise for {couples} or households on the lookout for a timeless piece of vacation tradition.
There’s a particular form of vitality 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 few of the most iconic places. 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 seems like slightly European Christmas market dropped proper in the course of Manhattan. It has over 150 little glass huts adorned with Christmas decorations, promoting distinctive items, crafts, and scrumptious meals.
Our private take: We love grabbing a scorching chocolate and simply wandering via the stalls. The mixture 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 exterior is chilly exterior, the Grand Central Vacation Truthful 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 items. It’s an important, less-crowded possibility for locating distinctive presents, and also you get to do your procuring 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 malls 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 might be 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 superbly lit, and you may take your time having fun with the artistry.
Vacation Season Magic Past Midtown Manhattan
A few of 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 case 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 might be extra like huge artwork installations.
Our private take: We had been fully blown away. It’s an unimaginable spectacle of lights, large inflatable snowmen, and music.
Insider tip: One of the simplest ways to get there’s to both ebook 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 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 shocking 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 approach to spend a day, particularly when mixed with their out of doors gentle present, GLOW. You’ll want to ebook your tickets properly upfront because it’s very fashionable.
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.
How one can Get Round
Navigating New York is surprisingly simple when you get the dangle of it.
- The Subway: That is, indisputably, the quickest and most effective 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 town and soak within the festive ambiance. You’ll miss a lot when you’re all the time 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 night time. 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 advocate staying in Midtown Manhattan to be within the coronary heart of the motion. We’ve got 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 Heart or Instances Sq. places you within the epicentre of the vacation buzz.
- For a Barely Quieter Base: Take into account 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 may be doing an enormous quantity of strolling, and comfy, waterproof boots are your most necessary piece of drugs.
- Layers, Layers, Layers: The climate can change rapidly. 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 once you’re watching gentle exhibits or strolling via markets.
Regularly Requested Questions About Christmas in NYC
Listed here are our fast solutions to some extra frequent questions we get about planning a vacation journey to 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 Heart 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 at the very least 4 full days. This provides 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 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 cause why Christmas in New York is legendary all over the world and why we love visiting throughout this time of the yr. There’s a particular form 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.
If in case you have any extra questions, drop them within the feedback under! We’re all the time joyful to assist.
