9 Things to Do in NYC During Christmas That Truly Capture the City’s Holiday Spirit
For my best friend’s birthday, I wanted to gift her a trip to New Yorkβand since her birthday is in December, I spent hours researching the best things to do in NYC during Christmas.
I’ve always admired the city Christmas vibe, and New York has the best one in the world. The lights shine so bright and everyone in the city seems to be in a jolly mood. If youβve 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 itineraryβespecially if youβve never been to NYC before. Thatβs why I decided to share the results of my research.
As cheesy as it may sound, thereβs no shortage of fun for everyone. So if youβre concerned about finding something thatβll boost the Christmas spirit, fret not. Regardless of personal interests and budgets, there’s an NYC Christmas activity that’s perfect for you.
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 9 Best Things to Do in NYC During Christmas
Though Iβve 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 Macyβs Thanksgiving Day Parade. A few weeks later, though, the City That Never Sleeps gets a yuletide makeover. Below, weβll go a little into what Christmas is like in NYC so that yβall 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, crowded, busy, and expensive.
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 wouldnβt find it so chilly. That said, Iβd still recommend packing a beanie, gloves, puffer jackets, and tights to wear under jeans. In this case, you want to be over-prepared.
Christmas time in New York is also one of the city’s 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 2024. This, in turn, makes lodging wildly expensive. I’d even go as far as to say that it’s not affordable. I had to shell out nearly $1,000 for three nights of lodging at a bare-bones Brooklyn hotel.
Since it’s extra crowded, I also recommend leaving for outings and activities 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 donβt plan to make it to the Brooklyn Bridge after. Although thatβs only a 35-minute subway ride, itβd be wiser to stop by the Empire State Building. Thatβs a 30-minute walk or a 20-minute bus ride from Central Park.
What To Do In NYC During Christmas
Christmas Markets
Unfortunately, I didnβt get to visit any Christmas markets when I was in NYC in 2021. But it’s at the top of my list for my upcoming visit. I’m most excited about the Bryan Park Winter Village, 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 itβs at the iconic Union Station (!!!). If you get cold, you can always grab a hot chocolate from one of the vendors.
Wollman Rink in Central Park
If youβve ever seen a rom-com or holiday movie, the chances are that youβve 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 youβre not sober, you can still have a great time. Itβs possible youβll 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 whoβve 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 eventβs website: βDonβt forget to look upβNYC bridges come together to create an aerial display of trains soaring overhead and outdoors on our all-new Conservatory Lawn display.β
Radio City Music Hall
If you can go watch a show at Radio City Music Hall during Christmas, Iβd strongly suggest making it the Rockettes. Though Iβve never seen them myself, I know that itβs one of the hottest tickets in town. At the time of this writing, December shows for the Radio City Rockettes were well over $200 each. But even if youβre 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, itβs 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. Itβs decorated with red, green, and white Christmas lights and the lobby is jam-packed with Christmas decorations. If weβre being brutally honest, though, this is something that you can see from pretty much anywhere in Manhattan, so itβs probably okay to skip it if youβre short on time.
Rockefeller Center
When the Rockefeller Center lights up its Christmas tree in early December, New Yorkers know the holidays have officially arrived. While thereβs 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 Iβve ever seen. Another warning here: Tons of people want to see this bad boy. When I went, I wasnβt able to get super close. That said, Iβd still go all over again. After all, you can see this giant tree from pretty far away.
Times Square
I visited Time Square during my 2021 NYC trip and I have to admit that I didnβt find it super Christmas-y. That said, we put it on the list because itβs 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 itβs 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 donβt like being in close proximity to tens of thousands of people, I suggest skipping this attraction.
Grand Central Terminal
It’s hard for me not to sigh in amazement when I talk about Grand Central Terminal. Its architecture is absolutely stunning, and it’s rich with history dating back to 1913. Yes, it’ll be crowded, and yes, it’s a bit of a pain to get into and out of, but it’s well worth the visit.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering: The difference between Grand Central Station and Grand Central Terminal is, mostly, that they are two different stations. You can find the terminal, which houses the commuter rail, at 89 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10017. I suggest booking a tour; they’re $35 per ticket, last an hour and a half, and take you all around the building.
5th Avenue
If you’re in the mood for some luxurious holiday shopping, there’s no better place than 5th Avenue. The stretch between 49th and 60th Street is mostly known for the Tiffany & Co. and Saks Fifth Avenue stores that define the upper echelon. It’s also adjacent to Central Park and has tons of dining and cultural optionsβlike the Plaza Hotel. Since my best friend is big on the finer things in life, we may make the trek to Manhattan to do some window shopping on 5th Avenue.
