7 Things to Do in NYC During Christmas That Capture the City’s Holiday Spirit
In 2021, I spent Christmas in New York and it really was one of the most magical times ever. (And I’ve been to Disneyland about a hundred times.) The lights shine so bright and everyone in the city seems to be in a jolly mood. If you’ve spent any time in NYC, you know that this is a nice change of pace. All that said, it can be quite overwhelming to plan an itinerary—especially if you’ve never been to NYC before. That’s why we compiled a list of the best activities to enjoy the Christmas season in New York City.
As cheesy as it may sound, there’s no shortage of fun for everyone. So if you’re concerned about finding something that’ll boost the Christmas spirit, fret not. From the Union Square Holiday Market to the Wollman Rink at Central Park and the Holiday Train Show to the Empire State Building, here are the best things to do in NYC during Christmas.
The 7 Best Things to Do in NYC During Christmas
Though I’ve never lived in New York, I have tons of friends there. Consequently, I see how cheerful and bright the city is during the holiday season. For the record, this starts with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A few weeks later, though, the City That Never Sleeps gets a yuletide makeover. Below, we’ll go a little into what Christmas is like in NYC so that y’all know what to expect if you plan to visit New York City during this time. And, of course, so that you can plan accordingly!
What Is Christmas In New York Like?
In addition to being magical, NYC during Christmas is cold, busy, and expensive (if you’re traveling there from out of state).
For instance, when I was there in 2021, I had to wear my coziest turtlenecks and layers upon layers upon layers. I am from California, though, so maybe someone from the Midwest wouldn’t find it so chilly. That said, I’d still recommend packing a beanie, gloves, puffer jackets, and tights to wear under jeans. In this case, you want to be overprepared.
Christmas time in New York is also one of the busiest and most crowded times of the year. According to AAA, The Big Apple was one of the top year-end holiday destinations for 2023. And something tells me this trend will hold true in 2024. My advice? Go everywhere with time to spare and leave at least 15 minutes before you actually have to. You should also take a look at a map and see where your activities of interest are.
For example, if you want to skate in Central Park, maybe don’t plan to make it to the Brooklyn Bridge after. Although that’s only a 35-minute subway ride, it’d be wiser to stop by the Empire State Building. That’s a 30-minute walk or a 20-minute bus ride from Central Park.
What To Do In NYC During Christmas
Christmas Markets
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to visit any Christmas markets when I was in NYC. But, from what I’ve heard, this is a bucket list experience. Our favorite ones? The Winter Village at Bryant Park, which has more than 100 vendors, an ice skating rink, and a gigantic Christmas tree. The Union Square Holiday Market is also worth mentioning since it has amazing Christmas decorations and it’s at the iconic Union Station (!!!).
Wollman Rink in Central Park
If you’ve ever seen a rom-com or holiday movie, the chances are that you’ve seen your faves skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park. Surrounded by snow-topped trees and the NYC skyline, this is a unique holiday experience. Since there are tons of families there, we think this is one of the best NYC sober activities you can do during Christmas time. However, even if you’re not sober, you can still have a great time. It’s possible you’ll feel a holiday high from the joyous energy buzzing around you.
Holiday Train Show
Inside the New York Botanical Garden, the Holiday Train Show is another must-see according to people who’ve been there. Part of their Holiday Train Nights, the show features 25 G-scale model trains (a.k.a. tiny trains) and trolleys that go around a half-mile track. The little ones are sure to love it. Pro tip, which we found on the event’s website: “Don’t forget to look up—NYC bridges come together to create an aerial display of trains soaring overhead and outdoors on our all-new Conservatory Lawn display.”
Radio City Music Hall
If you can go watch a show at Radio City Music Hall during Christmas, I’d strongly suggest making it the Rockettes. Though I’ve never seen them myself, I know that it’s one of the hottest tickets in town. At the time of this writing, December shows for the Radio City Rockettes were at least $100. But even if you’re on a budget, you should still make it out to Radio City Music Hall. As you might be able to see from the photo above, it’s got a huge tree lit up for all the world to see. And the best part about that is that you don’t have to pay to look at it.
Empire State Building
To me, the Empire State Building is synonymous with New York City. The 1,454-foot building almost serves as a beacon of the holiday spirit. It’s decorated with red, green, and white Christmas lights and the lobby is jam-packed with Christmas decorations. If we’re being brutally honest, though, this is something that you can see from pretty much anywhere in Manhattan, so it’s probably okay to skip it if you’re short on time.
Times Square
I visited Time Square during my 2021 NYC trip and I have to admit that I didn’t find it super Christmas-y. That said, we put it on the list because it’s as synonymous with New York as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Plus, many of the storefronts in Times Square do decorate for the holidays, so it’s not devoid of the holiday spirit. In fact, when I was there, I saw street performers dressed like Santa. One note here: Times Square during the holidays is ridiculously busy. If you don’t like being in close proximity to tens of thousands of people, I suggest skipping this attraction.
Rockefeller Center
When the Rockefeller Center lights up its Christmas tree in early December, New Yorkers know the holidays are officially here. While there’s a lot to love about the Rockefeller Center, the main attraction, of course, is the 74-foot Christmas tree. Without any exaggeration, this is one of the most beautiful Christmas trees I’ve ever seen in my life. Another warning here: Tons of people want to see this bad boy. When I went, I wasn’t able to get super close. That said, I’d still go all over again. After all, you can see this giant tree from pretty far away.
