If you are anything like me, pop culture has the ability to dictate a lot of desires in your life. This is especially true when I am sussing out travel destinations. I get an extra little thrill knowing that I am in a location where something I liked was made. Or going to places that books were set in. I additionally love seeing places I have been before in new media, and yelling out “I’ve been there” whenever they pan out over the locations. Maybe that makes you think I’m a bit nutty, and that’s okay too.
New York City at Christmas time is one of those things that has been so romanticized in films, books, TV, heck even commercials, I knew I needed to go check it out for myself. So… I kind of went two years in a row. Once pre-Christmas in 2021 and once for New Years Eve to ring in 2023! Both times were fun, and hectic.
New York, at any time, is a trip best planned well. There is so much to see and do, and there are roughly 10,000 other people trying to do it at the same time as you. This is especially true around the holidays. I felt overwhelmed may times, which I will discuss further below. Not all recommendations I’ll make here was I able to do myself and I will make that distinction clear. This sounds a bit negative, but I’m still VERY glad I went and I had a lot of fun. But, I think it’s important to mentally know what you are getting into. Brace yourself for crowds.
I will do another post soon to discuss the New Years Eve part. Here, I’m going to detail what needs reservations, tickets, and some other stuff you can just show up at. But overall, I think these are some of the best things to do in NYC during Christmas!
CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK CITY
When to go
I am saying Christmas in this post, as that is the December holiday that I participate in, but of course given there is also Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, etc there is definitely lots to do around this time and from mid-November until early January is a great time to be there. You can do everything on this list during those dates.
Where to stay
As a (mostly) general rule, I try to avoid Times Square. For holiday things, I think Midtown is the best area, so that you can walk to a lot of destinations, and there are several subway lines around. It’s not called Miracle on 34th street for nothing, right? For specific recommendations, scroll to the end of this post. That said, both times I did stay quite close to Times Square. The first time was for price, and the second was a New Years Eve Package.
How to get around
This time of year, the answer is so dependent on the weather it’s hard to say. My preference is usually walking. Almost everything is decorated, from city squares, shop windows, historic landmarks, hotel lobbies, and small floats along the street. But, I also understand that being cold or wet sucks, so if you can’t or don’t want to walk, see below for some information on the subway, Uber, and taxis in the city
Without further ado, let’s get into the list of the Best Things to Do in NYC at Christmas!
Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
As a Canadian, this feels weird to include on a winter holiday list. We celebrate Thanksgiving in early October! But, I have always watched this parade on TV and think it would be so cool to see in person. I haven’t yet, but maybe someday. The next parade is on November 28, 2024 (if this date has passed, just do a quick Google, it’s easy to find).
This one is also tough to recommend as an in person activity, because unless you are going to stake out a spot to see it early in the morning and wait, or you have splurged on a hotel (such as New York Hilton Midtown) with a view, it’s going to be crowded. But, as I mentioned above, that will be the norm for these activities. I wanted to include it on the list anyway, since it’s so quintessentially NYC. Also, because the floats are so high in the air, it’s not like you won’t see anything if you aren’t close up, but seeing the ground performers will be tough.
Catch a showing of the New York City Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Performed by the New York City Ballet to George Balanchine’s choreography, The Nutcracker is one of those things people like to do every year. I was not lucky enough to be able to get tickets to this event, albeit really wanting to.
The ballet is performed in the David H Koch Theater in the Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side. It runs annually from the end of November until the end of December. As long as you book in advance, getting tickets is not that hard. There are many showtimes each year. Ticket prices range from $50 – $300 roughly, from the venue itself. Resale tickets can be more, and I would advise not giving scalpers your money!
Make sure you budget enough time to get inside and to your seat, as late seating is not permitted and you will miss the first act. Beverages and snacks are available as well, but not allowed in the theater. If you’d like that plan for additional time. I would allot 30 to 60 minutes.
I will get back someday and see it, but I have remorse for not having placed it higher on my list of things to do!
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Skating Rink
If you have ever seen anything set in NYC, I’m sure you know about the Rockefeller Center. SNL calls it home, so does The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. You can actually do an NBC Studio Tour, which I enjoyed, at any time of year and see the sets of these 2 shows, and more.
At Christmas time though, the Rockefeller Plaza becomes a thing of beauty. There is an enormous tree, with a Swarovski crystal star at the top (pro tip: that star is on display in the 1st floor shopping center during non-holiday times!), angels line the way up to it, there is a skating rink. It’s so quintessential NYC Christmas, you have to go see it. With a billion other people! Yes, unfortunately this one is going to be crowded. I showed up past 10:00pm and there were still droves of people out having a look. I’m not saying that to deter you, but simply to prepare you. I dislike crowds a lot, but some things are worth it. I just like to know in advance what it’s really going to be like.
In the same building, you will now also find the FAO Schwarz toy store. If you had been to the location pre-2015, it has moved unfortunately, and is not the same as it used to be when it was on Fifth Avenue. However, it’s still a fun shop to go have a look around in. It will have a line to get in, but it makes for a more pleasurable experience inside.
The nice thing about this is that it’s free and you can go at any time. It’s also really close to several other things, like my next suggestion.
Fifth Avenue Store Windows + Saks Light Show
If you are where the angels lead you up to 30 Rock, and you turn 180 degrees around, you will be looking at Saks Fifth Avenue. Beginning near the end of November, they turn this storefront into an impressive light show set to Christmas songs. It’s a definite must-do. It’s really easy to see too, as it begins at 5pm and goes until midnight. Each show is about 3 minutes long, and one happens every 5 minutes! If you are there for the first showing of the year, there will likely be celebrity guests and fireworks. In 2022, Elton John was there!
Staying on Fifth Avenue, stroll down the street looking at the window decorations from many famous (and often high priced) shops, like Bergdorfs, Bloomingdales, Cartier, and even the Empire State Building. Grab a hot chocolate, and walk from about the Empire State Building to the Plaza Hotel, and you will see lots! Make sure to stop and check out the display in front of the Plaza Hotel, as they do something different there each year, and it’s always great.
Unless you are a guest, or eating there, you probably shouldn’t go in, but the Plaza was made into a NYC Christmas landmark in Home Alone 2, as that is where Kevin McAllister stays in the city.
Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square
On the top floor of Macy’s in Herald Square, you will find the 13,000 sq foot display referred to as ‘Santaland’. I did walk by this, but it had a really long line, I was alone, and I was unsure of the need for a reservation, so I didn’t wait. However, looking up some photos online, it really does look very cool!
Reservations are required, so I am glad that I didn’t get in line. Your reservation time is actually the time that you get to start waiting in line though, so don’t count on that being the same time you actually get to start enjoying the experience. Reservations open 5 days in advance. So, if you want to make a reservation for December 10th, head here on the 5th.
Photos taken with Santa are available for purchase, but you don’t have to buy them. Admission is otherwise free. There are several photo opportunities throughout the experience though, so make sure you have your camera or phone with you.
Bonus: the outside of Macy’s is usually really cute too, so make sure you take a look!
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
I will preface this by saying, my feelings on zoos in general are complicated, however this does look like quite a bit of fun! The event has immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows. It runs from mid November to the first week in January. There are also sensory inclusive nights available if someone if you party would be more comfortable in that setting. More information can be found here. Although it looks like a lot of fun, tickets are not cheap, with adult tickets costing $42.00 USD and children $27.00 USD. Having not been myself, I can’t say if the price is worth it, but it makes a few other lists I have researched for this, so I thought I would add it and you can let your budget decide!
Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall is practically considered the pinnacle of Christmas in NYC. I had tickets to go in 2021 and they canceled the show due to covid a few hours before. So when we went again the next year, this was the first thing I purchased! The show itself is very whimsical and cute, perfect for the whole family. But the venue really needs to be a bit more strict with people, as well as find a way to increase efficiency. When you arrive, there is a free for all line outside to be let in. They run so many shows a day that the doors only open about 30 minutes to an hour before the show starts. However, the worst part is they allow late people in throughout the whole show. The show is not that long, and there are people still arriving as late as 45+ minutes into it. This causes you to have to keep getting up, or you have people standing in your way because they have to get up. It’s honestly chaos. No recording or photos are allowed, however a woman in our row kept trying and security shined a flashlight in our rows faces 6 times. I don’t understand why they didn’t just kick her out!
Did I enjoy the show? Yes, I really tried. I thought it was well executed by the performers. Did I enjoy the experience as a whole? What I just described made that a little harder. I don’t think I would go again, but I am really glad to have seen the show. If you haven’t been, I would still recommend seeing it. And I’m sure all the showings can’t be this poorly executed! The schedule has several shows a day from mid November to New Years Day.
Also, while you are in the area of Radio City, make sure you don’t miss the big pile of red bulbs across the street! They are a great photo opportunity!
Bryant Park’s Winter Village
If you saw 2022’s Christmas movie, Something from Tiffany’s you are already familiar with the Winter Village at Bryant Park, as the main character ran one of the little shop huts. I’m sure there are other references to this Christmas market in the media, but that was what made me want to go check it out! It had been on my list of things to do in 2021, but I never made it.
In 2022 we did go check it out, and it was really busy! But we did find a treat and a hot chocolate, and walked around a little bit. I think it would be a really great place to get some Christmas shopping done as well, however we went just after Christmas so we didn’t stay looking around for too long. It’s really cute, and there is Christmas music playing. It’s a nice atmosphere.
Bonus: Bryant Park is behind the NYPL, where the Lions, Patience and Fortitude, often don wreaths for a cute photo op!
Hudson Yards and the Vessel
One of the newer parts of New York City (ok, it’s not new but it used to be mostly railways) is Hudson Yards and the Vessel. The Vessel has had several issues with people jumping from it, and can no longer be entered at this time. The area is decorated very nicely for Christmas. I went for a pretty early morning walk along the Highline and stumbled upon it during the day. I would recommend going at night for the best effect. Their ‘signature’ decoration is these large hot air balloons, which I thought were lightbulbs! I didn’t go into the mall, because it wasn’t open yet, but inside is quite a wonderland! Make sure your bring your camera, as there is a ton of photo opportunities in this area.
Central Park and Wollman Rink
My dream is to take a stroll through Central Park after a fresh snowfall, however both times I went in winter it was unseasonably warm! However, it did make for lovely strolls. There is another popular skating rink in Central Park that is a little easier to get on than the one outside Rockefeller if you really had your heart set on skating.
Otherwise, Central Park is a great place in NYC any time of year, it’s a place where there is enough space for you to spread out a bit and breathe in a little deeper. I love places like this in big cities, they are a much needed contrast to the hustle and bustle, never more than at Christmas!
Dyker Heights Lights
This was one of my favorite things in the city, and the best part – it’s FREE! Well, as long as you go by yourself. Of course, there are tours you can take that will show them to you. I witnessed several, and unless you are not confident you can get there and back, or you’re REALLY a lights aficionado, I don’t think they are worth the money. I took the subway there and back, alone. And it was a fairly long ride each way, but it was super easy. And I don’t think I need to pay anyone to help me walk around and look at Christmas lights!
The neighborhood it large, but you can find a map and directions here that I used to help me see it for myself. Free Tours by Foot is a pretty good company if you did want to do their tour. Just make sure you find the REALLY decked out houses. This is a real neighborhood with real people living in the houses, so many people decorate well to blend in, but there are a few streets of real show stoppers. I also did a lot of people watching here, as I thought the way some people behaved was absolutely insane. Just traipsing all over people’s property to get pictures. And soooo many cars driving 2 kms an hour down the road. It was unhinged. Some of the houses here are big and I can only imagine what they cost in NYC, but I don’t think I would ever want to live here! 100% go look at the lights though, it was an excellent time!
Hungry Yet?
Here are some restaurants/bars that have a great Christmas atmosphere:
Tavern on The Green
This restaurant located in Central Park at W 67th St is beautifully decorated at Christmas with a huge tree as the focal point. They are do a prix fix Holiday Brunch during November and December, which you can find more information about here.
I haven’t personally been here, and it is a bit expensive, but it does appear to be quite charming. It is also somewhat of a landmark, as it has been around since the 30s with the building dating even further back. For a special occasion, I would definitely check this place out on my next visit to the city, Christmas or not.
Rolf’s
This place is decked out year-round, however its popularity increases 100x during the holiday season. To the point where when I visited at about 2:30pm there were already about 50 people lined up. I had made a reservation, however this does require you to purchase a meal, which isn’t that budget friendly. Just to get a drink at the bar is going to require a wait in line.
The restaurant has so many decorations, that it comes together to be quite a magical set-up. My meal was mediocre and the drinks were good but not exceptional. I am glad I went, but I wouldn’t be inclined to return.
Ophelia Lounge
Ophelia Lounge is located on the top floor of the Beekman Tower, 3 Mitchell Pl, in Midtown East. Annually they turn their bar into a Floating Snow Globe in the Sky theme, which looks magical! They specialize in elevated cocktails, with some added holiday themed ones. There is an added bonus of having an amazing view of the city from up there for those visiting the city. This is NYC, so don’t expect anything to be on the cheaper side of things, cocktails are $19+. One thing I really love about this place, is that it used to serve as a Women’s only club in the 1920’s, that’s something you rarely hear! I haven’t been, but it sounds like a fun place, especially the Cocktail Brunch!
Miracle on 9th Street Pop Up Bar
This annual pop up is located at 649 E 9th St and boasts “cocktails in novelty glasses and a healthy dose of holiday cheer.” I haven’t been, but the photos look festive and fun. Reservations are required and can be made here. Reservations come with a non-refundable fee of $9.95 per guest of which you will receive a Limited Edition Light up Miracle winter hat, so only book if you know you can make it! I’m fine with a fee if I get something for it. Having working the restaurant industry, no show reservations are a huge annoyance, so I understand this policy. Of my recommendations here, this one is the most affordable too. I want to book another trip now and go here!
Where to stay
In 2021 I stayed at Moxy Times Square for two reasons, one the price was in my budget, and two it is pretty centrally located to much of the things I was wanting to do. In 2022/2023 we stayed at the Casablanca Hotel, which is again just off Times Square because we were there for their amazing NYE event (more on that coming soon). My general rule in NYC is avoid Times Square, but by that I mean actually ENTERING Times Square, both of these hotels I could access though their other avenues.
Times Square is kinda cool, and I’m not telling you not to go see it. What I am telling you is it’s packed all the time and when you want to just walk through it, it’s such a bottleneck and needs to be avoided. It puts me in an instant bad mood! So, I do recommend both of these hotels, here are some others further away! If you book through any links here, I will receive a few shillings in return, so thank you in advance!
Hostel
NYC doesn’t have as many hostels as they should, due to a regulation the city adopted about how many people can stay in one room. Like anything, lack of supply increases demand, and pricing so you won’t find anything super cheap, but here are some recommendations:
Budget: HI NYC Hostel, located at 891 Amsterdam Avenue, NY 10025-4403, New York, USA on the Upper West Side, this place is in a great location for walks through Central Park, and your very close to 2 different Subway stations. It’s one of the biggest and most popular in the city, and HI is a trusted brand in the travel industry. Dorms are about $75 CAD per night.
Bougie: Nap York Central Park Sleep Station located at 940 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019, United States is right where you want to be, especially during the holidays! Close to Times Square without being too close, right at the corner of Central Park, a few blocks from 5th Avenue, it’s very nicely located. The hostel focuses on peace and quiet too, which I really appreciate. They offer pod sleep bunks, noise machines, and in bunk outlets, it’s everything you want from a hostel! Dorms are about $150 per night.
Hotel
There are so many hotels in NYC to choose from, I think it’s best to set a budget, and then pick a neighbourhood and you should be able to find something. I have stayed at The New Yorker, W New York, The Muse, Moxy Times Square, and Casablanca and I enjoyed them all. But, here are some recommendations anyway!
Budget: Freehand New York located at 23 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States in Midtown is one of the best values in the city while still remaining a cool place to stay. There’s a great restaurant and bar inside, and it’s close to attractions like the Flatiron Building and Gramercy Theatre. The subway is about 3 minutes walk. Rooms start at about $200 CAD per night.
Bougie: Obviously there is no shortage of bougie hotels in NYC, both in cost and luxury, but since this is in an article all about New York City at Christmas, one bougie hotel stands out, and that is of course; The Plaza. Located at 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States your smack in he middle of the action. It is a National Historic Landmark, and with pop-culture references galore (Home Alone 2, Gossip Girl, Friends, American Hustle, Funny Girl, Almost Famous, and so many more), and loads of A listers having stayed there, I think it’s the prefect bougie splurge. Rooms start at about $2100 CAD for a night. That’s a little rich for me, but I would think about making a reservation at the Palms Court for tea to get a peek inside! At any other time of year, I would probably recommend the Four Seasons, which has been rated the best in the city!
How to Get around:
Subway: This is the most efficient way to get around if going reasonably longer distances. Being underground, you of course avoid the congestion that is traffic. Peak hours, the cars may be a bit full, but off peak is comfortable. The maps are easy to read, or just use Google Maps which will tell you which train(s) to take. It’s also easily the most cost effect way to get around, with the base fare being $2.90 USD per trip. You don’t even need a ticket, just tap to pay with your card or phone. Or, if you don’t have that ability get a MetroCard for $1 and load it with the approximate funds you need for your trip. I’ve taken the subway many times here, and never had any safety concerns. If there was someone acting a little weird in my car, I would just move cars at the next station!
Uber: Pretty much works the same everywhere, but make sure you check for any surge pricing, especially around the holidays as this is pretty common. When I need to rest, or I just want to turn my brain off, I will get an Uber. This service trumps taxis in big cities for me, because traffic doesn’t change the price.
Taxi: This would be my last option, but I have used it 1-2 times here. Once, I didn’t want to turn my cell data on just to order an Uber. My plan had been to take the subway from JFK to the city, but my flight was delayed and I didn’t want to take it with my luggage alone late at night. If I pick a taxi over an Uber, it’s generally because of data access! However, if you don’t mind the sticker shock when you get to your destination, taxi’s are easy and safe. Just like in Sex and the City, you just toss your arm up to hail one, and they stop!
Your Feet! – okay, this is actually my preferred method, but I totally get it can accumulate steps pretty quick. My recommendation is to look at the map, and see sights close together whenever possible. It will cut down on costs, time, and you will have that joyous feeling of turning a corner and seeing something cool you didn’t know was there!
Have I missed any of your favourite things to do? Let me know in the comments! Happy Holiday Trip Planning!
Jess xx
