Christmas in New York City: A Festive NYC Itinerary

Experiencing Christmas in New York City is a great idea for a family trip, friends, mother-daughter meetup, or solo adventure.  

There are new twists on the classic traditions each year, from the markets and Christmas trees, to the holiday-themed performances and shows, to the stores competing with over-the-top festive decorations.

Key Info on NYC in December

• Make reservations ahead of your trip if there’s a specific restaurant you want to eat at.
• Show tickets are usually readily available, but it also helps to book ahead.
• The subway is easier to use than ever, since you can just swipe your credit card to ride.
• Bring gloves!  I always forget mine.

Now Let’s Get to Your NYC Itinerary for the Holidays

Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas

If you’re going to New York City in December, I suggest staying somewhere around midtown Manhattan.  This way, you’ll be close to Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, the Theater District, and Byrant Park.

You can plug your dates into this interactive map, for the rates on Expedia, Hotels.com, VRBO, Booking, and other top sites:

The Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree is one of New York City’s most iconic holiday traditions, dating back to 1931.

The lighting ceremony, which takes place the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, is a major event, attracting thousands of people to Rockefeller Plaza and millions more watching on TV. I don’t think it’s worth booking a trip specifically for the ceremony, regardless of the superstars on stage, since the crowd is overwhelming.

Instead, you can check out the 50,000 LED lights and massive Swarovski crystal star any other day.  The tree is lit 6 a.m. to midnight (and 24 hours on Christmas Day), through early January.  

🎄 Click for more information on Rockefeller Plaza’s holiday plans.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park in New York City transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season. It’s my favorite Christmas tradition in NYC.

The Bryant Park Winter Village opens in late fall, and runs through the holidays. It’s designed to be a European-style open-air market.  Typically, you’ll find 100+ vendors in kiosks, selling gifts and crafts.

Bryant Park has its own Christmas tree, and a winter skating rink. It’s free to skate, but you’ll have to rent skates if you don’t bring your own.

They also open a glass lodge, where you can escape the cold for food and warm drinks.

Throughout the season, Bryant Park hosts a range of holiday-themed performances, pop-up shows, and appearances by Santa. 

🎄 Click for more information on Bryant Park’s Winter Village.

New York City Christmas Markets

New York City is home to several popular Christmas markets during the holiday season. I’ll go over a few options, beginning with my favorite at Bryant Park.

Bryant Park Winter Village:

• Location: Bryant Park (42nd St and 6th Ave, behind the New York Public Library)
• Features: One of the largest and most famous Christmas markets in NYC,
• Dates: Late October to early January.
• Click here for more info.

Union Square Holiday Market:

• Location: Union Square Park (14th St and Broadway)
• Features: This European-style market offers 150 vendors selling gifts and decor.
• Dates: Mid-November to Christmas Eve.
• Click here for more info.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market:

• Location: Columbus Circle (59th St and Central Park West)
• Features: Nestled at the southwest entrance of Central Park, this market features around 100 booths with a wide selection of holiday gifts.
• Dates: Late November to Christmas Eve.
• Click here for more info.

Grand Central Holiday Fair:

• Location: Grand Central Terminal (Vanderbilt Hall, 42nd St and Park Ave)
• Features: One of the few indoor holiday markets in NYC, the Grand Central Holiday Fair is ideal for staying warm while shopping. It features around 40 vendors inside the iconic terminal.
• Dates: Mid-November to Christmas Eve.
• Click here for more info.

Holiday Market at The Oculus:

• Location: Westfield World Trade Center (Oculus, Lower Manhattan)
• Features: This market takes place inside the architecturally stunning Oculus, located near the World Trade Center.
• Dates: Typically from early December to late December.
• Click here for more info.

Brooklyn Flea:

• Location: DUMBO Archway (Under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn)
• Features: This smaller, neighborhood-focused holiday market in Brooklyn offers crafts and local food. It’s a great place for finding unique, locally-made gifts in a more laid-back setting compared to the busier Manhattan markets.
• Dates: Weekends in December.
• Click here for more info.

Little Italy

My great-grandparents had a shop in Little Italy a century ago.  While it’s very touristy these days, Little Italy is still a very pretty and festive place I recommend during the Christmas Season.

Mulberry Street is always decorated with holiday lights, festive wreaths, and Italian-themed Christmas decor. The street glows with string lights and arches, giving it a charming, old-world holiday feel.

Many of the restaurants in Little Italy celebrate Italian holiday traditions, serving the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve.

Or, you can stop at Ferrara, the famous bakery in Little Italy for coffee or hot cocoa and Italian desserts!

Ice Skating in NYC

Manhattan has several ice skating rinks open from late fall into early spring. Here are a few options:

The Rink at Rockefeller Center:

• Location: Rockefeller Plaza (5th Ave between 49th and 50th Streets)
• Features: One of the most famous ice skating rinks in the world, set beneath the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. It offers a magical holiday experience, especially at night when the tree and surrounding lights are on display.
• Open: Mid-November through early March.
• Click here for more info.

The Rink at Bryant Park (Winter Village):

• Location: Bryant Park (42nd St and 6th Ave, behind the New York Public Library)
• Features: The only free-admission ice skating rink in NYC (you need to pay for skate rentals if you don’t have your own). It’s the centerpiece of Bryant Park’s Winter Village, surrounded by holiday shops and festive food stalls.
• Open: Late October through early March.
• Click here for more info.

Wollman Rink in Central Park:

• Location: Central Park (East Side, near 59th St and 6th Ave)
• Features: A scenic, large rink with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and surrounding park. It’s a quintessential New York experience, especially during the holidays.
• Open: Late October through early April.
• Click here for more info.

Riverbank State Park Ice Rink:

• Location: Harlem (679 Riverside Drive, at 145th St)
• Features: An outdoor rink with a rooftop setting, offering panoramic views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge. It’s a bit less well-known, making it less crowded than the more central rinks.
• Open: Mid-November through March.
• Click here for more info.

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers:

• Location: Chelsea Piers (Pier 61, West 23rd St and Hudson River)
• Features: A large, indoor ice skating facility with two rinks, perfect for year-round skating and ice hockey. It’s less about the holiday ambiance and more for serious skaters or those who want to avoid the weather.
• Open: Year-round.
• Click here for more info.

Glide at Brooklyn Bridge:

• Location: Brooklyn
• Features: Skate underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, in what’s billed as New York’s most scenic rink.
• Open: Mid-November to March.
• Click here for more info.

Radio City & The Rockettes

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a beloved annual holiday show at Radio City Music Hall, featuring the world-famous Rockettes.

It’s been on stage since 1933!  While the show changes every year, highlights always include the Rockettes’ kickline, the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” and a live nativity scene at the end.

The Radio City show runs from November into January.  They have multiple performances a day, so tickets are generally readily available.

🎄 PRO TIP: I’d check TKTS and TodayTix for discounts!  Both apps are free to download, and I’ve used them for many years.

New York City Christmas Shows

New York City offers a variety of Christmas shows beyond the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Here are some popular options:

The Nutcracker (New York City Ballet):

• Location: Lincoln Center (David H. Koch Theater)
• Features: The iconic ballet to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
• Dates: Late November through early January.
• Click here for more information.

A Christmas Carol:

• Location: I’ve seen this show change theaters several times over the years, but it’ll always be performed somewhere in NYC during the holidays.  Lately it’s been at the Player’s Theater 
• Features: Charles Dickens’ classic tale, with fresh takes on the story.
• Dates: December.
• Click for more information.

The Magic Flute (The Metropolitan Opera):

• Location: The Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center
• Features: This is a family-friendly, abridged version of the Mozart classic.
• Dates: November through January.
• Click for more information.

Holiday Brass (New York Philharmonic):

• Location: Lincoln Center (David Geffen Hall)
• Features: A festive concert showcasing the brass section of the New York Philharmonic.  
• Dates: December
• Click here for more information.

Elf The Musical:

• Location: This has changed theaters, including Madison Square Garden and the Marquis.  It’ll be playing somewhere!
• Features: Based on the popular movie.

The 5th Avenue Christmas Windows

The holiday window displays on Fifth Avenue in New York City are another Christmas tradition.

The high-end department stores create elaborate, intricate designs. Here are a few stores to check out on and off 5th Ave:

Saks Fifth Avenue:

• Saks is renowned for its stunning, multi-story light show that illuminates the front of the building, along with magical window displays that often tell a holiday story or theme.

Bergdorf Goodman:

• Known for highly artistic and extravagant window displays, Bergdorf’s windows are often themed around a unique, imaginative concept, mixing fashion with fantasy and holiday magic.

Macy’s Herald Square:

• Macy’s is a walk from 5th Ave, but also has a long history of creating whimsical window displays, catered more toward kids than fashion.

Bloomingdale’s:

• Bloomingdale’s windows combine luxury fashion with holiday flair, often featuring collaborations with famous designers or artists to create stylish and innovative displays.

Louis Vuitton

Some of the buildings, like the Louis Vuitton flagship on 5th Avenue, have been converting the entire facade in December.

The Holidays at The Plaza Hotel

The iconic Plaza Hotel on 5th Avenue near Central Park always puts on a dazzling Christmas display.

Even if you’re not a guest, you can check out the decor and some of the holiday events.  A part of the lobby is open to the public during the daytime.  The Palm Court and Champagne Room are decked out, and open their reservations 60 days prior.

The Palm Court’s Holiday Afternoon Tea is a favorite, and a tradition for many families in New York.  Be sure to book reservations!

🎄 Click for more info on The Plaza during the holidays.

Things I Would NOT do in NYC at Christmas

Just based on the weather in NYC in December, there are few things I’d normally recommend doing any other time of year, which I recommend avoiding around the holidays.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

I love walking the Brooklyn Bridge, but the wind howling down the river in December would make it pretty unenjoyable.

Visiting Governors Island

Taking the ferry across to Governors Island in December would be another option I’d save for a summertime visit to New York.

FAQs About Visiting New York in December

Let’s go over a final few questions people ask about the holidays in NYC.

What’s the weather like?

In New York City around Christmas, the weather is typically cold with average daily highs in the 30s and 40s, and lows in the 20s and 30s. Snow is definitely possible, and winds are a guarantee!

How many days do you need in NYC around Christmas?

I usually suggest three full days to experience a good amount of festive events!

When do the Christmas trees and lights go up in New York City?

Right after Thanksgiving, Rockefeller Plaza lights up, as do other trees and store window displays all over the city.

More Festive Photos from New York City

Wrap: Is it Worth Going to NYC for Christmas?

I’ve recommended a holiday season trip to New York City many times to friends, colleagues, and viewers on my TV segment. No one who’s taken my advice has regretted it!

Even people in Arizona, where I live, can handle the cold. Even if it snows, there’s something calming and peaceful about the snowfall in NYC (until it turns into dirty slush).

My parents used to take me to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular every year, and it never got old for any of us.

There’s definitely something magical about the holidays in New York City!