Ultimate Guide to Christmas in NYC: Top Activities & Events

Heading to one of the most exciting cities in the world during the winter holidays? Then you’ll definitely want to read this guide to Christmas in NYC.

After thorough research, I’ve built the ultimate guide for visiting NYC during the holidays, where I included all the main things from the best areas, hotels, things to do, restaurants and even a list with must-have clothing items!

You’ll surely find an answer to any questions you might have about spending Christmas in New York, including why it’s so magical and what you can expect to see there!

Hint: You’ll get to admire some incredible decorations and enjoy a super cozy festive atmosphere!

On a more serious note: I’d recommend booking your hotels, attractions, and events tickets in advance. NYC becomes super crowded during the holiday season and it’s advised to secure your spot as early as possible.

Overview of Christmas in NYC

Here’s a short list of some of the main things I’ll cover in this post:

• Best Hotels: Baccarat Hotel and Residences (luxury), The Knickerbocker Hotel (mid-range), Motto by Hilton (budget)
• Best Restaurant: Rolf’s (map)
• Top Activity: Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center
• Unmissable Event: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Weather: 18 to 23 °F (−7 to −5 °C)

Where to stay in NYC during Christmastime

Although the whole city turns into a wonderland, there are certain areas that go above and beyond with the decorations as well as some hotels that look just like the ones from Christmas movies!

Below you’ll find some areas and accommodations that you’ll definitely want to stay in during your holiday:

Best Neighborhoods for Christmas Vibes

Here’s a short list of the main areas where you can admire some incredible Christmas decorations!

If you’re looking for more neighborhoods for your trip in this bustling city, make sure you check out our post with the best places to stay in NYC:

• Midtown – some of the most iconic decors here are the ones at Rockefeller Center, Macy’s Herald Square, Hudson Yards, Bryant Park, Oscar Wilde
• Upper West Side – here you can just walk around the streets and you’ll spot lots of houses with unique decorations
• West Village – in this area you can see the famous brown-stone houses of NYC embellished with the most incredible ornaments
• Brooklyn – you can see some fab decors here too, especially the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (map), which look incredible

Best Hotels in NYC for Christmas

If you’re wondering where to stay during Christmas, here are my top hotel recommendations for all budgets! If you’re looking for more unique accommodations in the city, check out our post with top boutique hotels in NYC:

• Luxury: Baccarat Hotel and Residences – a fab hotel that offers special holiday packages, rooms with modern Parisian decor, an indoor pool, and an on-site French restaurant.
• Mid-range: The Knickerbocker Hotel – set right in Times Square this hotel is close to the Christmas Markets and its rooftop terrace is perfect for admiring the NYE fireworks!
• Budget: Motto by Hilton – this affordable hotel is set in Midtown Manhattan (one of the best areas to stay in NYC during the holidays)!

Iconic hotels with holiday decorations

Now that we’ve seen all the areas and top hotels to stay in, let’s check out some of the hotels that celebrate Christmas in style and go out with their decors during the festive season:

• The Plaza – I’m sure you all remember the iconic hotel from Home Alone 2! This hotel has the most unique decors and they even offer Home Alone movie packages that’ll make you feel as if you’re Kevin
• Lotte New York Palace – if you’re just passing by and not staying, make sure you check the huge Christmas trees in the lobby, they look so gorgeous
• St. Regis New York – giant nutcrackers and elegant decors? Sounds like St. Regis! During the holidays they also organize events like Afternoon Tea with Santa so if you’re not staying here check if you can attend those
• Ritz Carlton Central Park – a big fan of huge Christmas trees, the Ritz competes with all the other hotels when it comes to over-the-top decor
• The Peninsula – before heading inside, make sure you first stop to admire the outdoor decor, which looks so amazing! Once you get in you’ll be welcomed by more garlands and ornaments and carols playing in the background

Note: These are also all great places to stay

Things to Do in NYC during Christmas

Now let’s move over to the fun bit and check out all the amazing activities, attractions and markets that you should check out when visiting the city:

By the way, if you’re planning to extend your holiday until after Christmas then definitely check our guide on visiting NYC in winter, where you’ll find some other things to do after the Christmas season is over.

1. See the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

What better way to start your day of adventures than to snap a pic and admire the must-see icon of Christmas in NYC (drumroll please): the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center (map)!

Putting up the Rockefeller Tree has been a tradition since the 1930s!

The tree is 75 ft tall (23 meters) and it has countless ornaments including the iconic Swarovski star that is made out of 3 million crystals!

PRO TIP: If it’s possible, definitely avoid going to see the tree during the weekends when it’s absolutely packed with people. You might risk standing in a big crowd of people being pushed around by the police.

2. Have fun ice-skating on some iconic rinks

Ice skating is probably one of the best ways to stay fit during the holidays if you ask me! Plus, afterward you can head to a cafe or restaurant and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate (if you’re looking for some unique spots check my section below on Where to Eat in NYC).

This town has some amazing rinks and most of them open in early October and close in January.

Here are some popular ones that you should try out:

• The Rink At Rockefeller Center (map)
• Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Rink (map)
• Wollman Rink in Central Park (map)
• The rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park (map)

3. Check out all the window displays

NYC is packed with luxurious department stores that go above and beyond during the holidays to create some of the most original Christmas window displays.

Giant reindeer, sparkly clothes, silver horses, you name it! They definitely don’t hold back. Although there are a few stores that have iconic displays, here are some of the most famous department store windows:

• Saks Fifth Avenue (map)
• Macy’s (map)
• Bergdorf Goodman (map)

4. Shop for unique gifts at the Christmas markets

Can you already smell all the yummy food and drinks, hear the children laughing and the carols playing in the background?

Honestly, what better way to get into the holiday spirit other than attending one of New York’s iconic Christmas markets?

Since the city is so big, there are a couple of markets that you can check out, or better yet, visit them all if you’re in New York for a longer period!

Here are the main Christmas Markets in NYC:

• Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (map) – open usually from late Oct to early March
• Union Square Holiday Market (map) – open usually from mid-November
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market (map) – open typically from the end of Nov to the end of Dec

5. Have snow fight in Central Park

Luckily for all snow lovers, NYC gets some heavy snowfalls during the holiday season (although each year is different so I’d recommend checking the weather forecast).

And the best place to enjoy all the snow and have some traditional snowfights is in Central Park (map)! This huge park has room for everybody (even in such a busy season)!

So grab your mittens or gloves and waterproof clothes and get ready to have some fun! Afterward, you can get warm with a cup of hot cacao!

6. Catch a candle-lit performance

The nights in NYC during the holiday season (and not only) are just as fun as the days!

One of the best ways to spend your evenings is to catch a candle-lit performance! 

If you’ve never heard about them, they’re basically live music concerts where an orchestra plays different kinds of music from Vivaldi to Puccini, to theme-ones like tributes to Adele or the Nutcracker. 

The whole place is lit up only by hundreds if not thousands of candles, creating a magical atmosphere. If that sounds like something you’d like to do, check out this website, where you can get your tickets. 

7. Watch the Nutcracker show with the NYC ballet

Watching the NYC Ballet performing Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is probably one of the most Christmassy things you can do!

For this one, you’ll definitely need to book your tickets way in advance as there’ll be lots of people who’ll want to watch the show around the holidays.

Here’s the official website where you can see the dates and book your spot!

8. Join a yacht holiday cruise

Admiring the Manhattan skyline from a yacht while listening to Christmas music and staying cozy inside? Sign me up!

I found this amazing tour that costs US$118 and that lasts almost 2h. During the cruise, you’ll get to drink some hot cacao, listen to live music, and see some iconic sites like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

9. Celebrate NYE at Times Square

Seeing the clock strike 12 during the night between the years in Times Square (map) is definitely exciting, however, you should definitely brace yourself because the crowds can be absolutely insufferable.

That’s not to say you can’t enjoy yourself and have a great time, just bear in mind that you might have to stand in a huge crowd without being able to move around, or if you can it’ll take you a while.

The show is super fun and if you want to see a schedule or what’s on for this year, check out their official website.

10. Go on a horse carriage tour in Central Park

If you’re traveling with your partner and you’re looking for something romantic to do, then definitely book a horse carriage tour in Central Park!

Just imagine the whole park covered in snow, the cute little carriage, the horses, Christmas lights, what can be more romantic than that?

I found this amazing tour that lasts 40 min and the prices start from US$57 (but it fluctuates depending on how many people are in the carriage). For example, if it’s just 2 people, the tour would cost US$115 per person.

Events to attend in NYC

In the mood to attend some fun events over the holidays? Well, you’re surely in the right place as no one does Christmas events like NYC.

I did a thorough research and came up with a short list of events that you can attend while visiting New York:

• Radio City Christmas Spectacular – this super fun show takes place from Nov to Jan (plenty of time to catch it) and it’s one of the most popular events in town, boasting fun music and dancing! You can get your tickets from their official website
• Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden – the perfect activity for families (check the official website for tickets). Here you’ll see trains go around a miniature version of NYC that’s built of seeds, bark, leaves and twigs.
• Christmas Concert at St. John the Divine – attend a magical 2h concert at one of the largest church buildings in the world! It usually takes place mid-December but check their official website for more accurate dates

The ultimate Bucket List for a Christmas in NYC

Check out this amazing bucket list, that you can download and keep it close so you can tick off all the things that you’ll do:

• Explore the Christmas Markets
• See the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center
• Catch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Walk through the holiday-decorated streets of Fifth Avenue
• Take a holiday cruise for skyline views
• Go ice skating at one of the rinks
• Visit the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
• Experience a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park
• See the Nutcracker with the NYC Ballet
• Grab a Christmassy drink at Miracle on 9th St pop-up bar
• See the Christmas decorations at The Plaza & Lotte New York Palace

NYC Christmas Itinerary

Not sure how to organize your days while in NYC? Then here’s a quick and short itinerary for 3 days:

Day 1: Explore the Midtown area

• Enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the Rockefeller tree
• Then go ice-skating nearby at The Rink At Rockefeller Center 
• Check out the window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s & Bergdorf Goodman 
• Get souvenirs from the Christmas Market at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
• Grab a merry dinner at Tavern on the Green

Day 2: More markets & snow fights

• Play with snow in Central Park & go on a horse-carriage tour 
• See the Christmas decorations at The Plaza & Lotte New York Palace 
• Attend another Christmas Market at Union Square Holiday Market
• Head to Brooklyn to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
• Grab a bite at Pizza Wagon (map)

Day 3: Catch some Christmas-themed events

• Grab coffee at a bite at Papillon Bistro
• Join a yacht holiday cruise
• See the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
• Watch the Nutcracker with the NYC Ballet

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Where to Eat in NYC during the holidays

Looking for some fab places to drink and dine in New York City during the holidays with cool decorations and a cozy Christmassy atmosphere?

Then check out this short list of restaurants, cafes and special pop-up Christmas bars that I’ve put together below:

• Tavern on the Green (map) – set in Central Park this restaurant it’s a bit touristy but it serves some yummy dishes and during the holidays the decors are pretty amazing
• Rolf’s (map) – boasting one of the most incredible Christmas decor that a restaurant can have, Rolf’s is a super touristy place so I’d recommend giving a call to see if you can reserve your spot
• Papillon Bistro (map) – you’re going to love the Christmas decorations of this place, as well as its French menu which is filled with yummy dishes
• Lillie’s Victorian Establishment (map) – travel back to the Victorian era while dining at this restaurant that goes all out during the holiday season, just picture lots of garlands hanging from everywhere, shiny tree balls and huge Nutcrackers
• Oscar Wilde (map) – named after the famous Irish writer, this restaurant has an art collection from the 1800s and during the holidays they decorate their place with the most gorgeous ornaments
• Miracle on 9th St (map) – opening from mid-Nov this cool pop-up bar serves the most incredible Christmas cocktails and it also has some fab ornaments! Make sure you stop by for a Christmapolitan!
• Whiskey Wonderland at Great Jones Distilling Co (map) – this subterranean speakeasy will open again in November and serve its guests with the most amazing cocktails with whiskey and wintery desserts like chocolate fondue and truffle flatbread

Things to Know about Christmas in NYC

Since we’ve covered the fun part, I thought we’d also look at some of the logistics! Just some things that you should know when you’re traveling to NY during the holidays.

Let’s check them out:

• Be prepared for big crowds as this is one of the busiest times of the year in NYC
• Pack warm clothes and accessories (consider that you’ll probably spend a lot of time out in the streets so you’ll need thick outfits)
• Don’t try to do EVERYTHING in a short amount of time, you’re there to enjoy yourself, not to run from one place to the next one
• Get the NY Pass if you’re planning to visit some non-Christmas attractions like museums, skyscrapers and see some Broadway shows
• Consider using the subway during the peak hours or if you want to get somewhere quickly rather than cabs and Ubers, as you might spend a long time in traffic
• Book everything from hotels to show tickets and attractions in advance

What to Wear in NYC during winter

Putting together winter outfits for your holidays is no easy thing, I know that, but today I’ll help you out with this short list of must-have items when traveling to NYC during the winter season.

The average temperature in NYC during winter is between 18 to 23 °F (−7 to −5 °C). However, it can get colder and snowstorms are also a possibility.

Here’s a website where you can check the weather and also look for any winter storm warnings.

Now let’s check out all the items that you’ll need to pack:

• Sweaters – you’ll probably live in thick sweaters so pack according to how many days you’ll spend in NYC
• Wool jumpers – same applies to these wool jumpers which will keep you super warm
• Blouses – bring a few of these as they are great for layering
• Thick socks – a trick to staying warm while outside is to keep your feet warm, so bring some high-quality winter socks 
• Thermal vest – I’d get at least one of these vests for the days when you’ll be mostly outside exploring the streets or going ice skating
• Boots – get some proper boots that are comfortable and that will keep you warm
• Coat or puffer jacket – pack a super thick one that will keep you warm even when it’s freezing outside
• Wool scarf – these wool scarves are amazing as they’ll keep your neck and even your head warm
• Headwear – definitely bring something for your head, like a thick beanie
• Gloves – you’ll definitely need gloves, so pack some leather ones or wool gloves
• Backpack/bag/fanny pack – get something practical that you can carry around while exploring the city

⛸️ Best activity:	Attending the Christmas Markets
📍 Top area:	Midtown
🏨 Best hotel:	Baccarat Hotel and Residences
🍲 Top restaurant:	Rolf’s
🤩 Unmissable event:	Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center

FAQs about Christmas in NYC

Final thoughts on Christmas in NYC

Honestly, after writing this guide on spending Christmas in NYC I’m more than ready for the holiday season and I’m sure you feel the same now that you read it.

I hope that you got all your answers from this post and if not, don’t hesitate to drop me a comment below, I’d be happy to help you out!

Don’t forget that it’s super important to book your hotels, tickets for events and attractions in NYC in advance. Christmas is one of the busiest seasons in NY and it’s better to secure your spots as early as you can.

Have fun exploring!

Merry Christmas,

Victoria

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