Christmas in NYC

Enjoy the timeless traditions of Christmas in the Big Apple! Ice skating in Central Park, viewing window displays along 5th Avenue and watching the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall are just a few reasons why we love NYC during the holidays.

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Santa Comes to Town

Every year the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade ends with Santa coming to a stop in front of the department store on 6th Ave, marking the beginning of the Christmas season in the Big Apple. Come explore some of the timeless traditions of Christmas in New York City.

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Make the best of New York City's cold weather and enjoy ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park (on the east side between 62nd and 63rd Streets).

Empire State Building

At the center of the iconic NYC skyline sits the Empire State Building. During the months of November and December, the top of the building is lit up with red and green lights to celebrate Christmas. The first lighting each year coincides with the opening night of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

The Rockettes

Speaking of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, don’t miss out on seeing the Rockettes’ show-stopping leg kick precision chorus during the holidays at Radio City Music Hall.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Started in 1933, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has become a timeless tradition for New Yorkers and tourists alike. The tree is on average between 69 and 100 feet tall, and its lighting ceremony is accompanied with a live broadcast in early December.

NYBG's Holiday Train Show

An annual tradition held at the New York Botanical Gardens, the Holiday Train Show displays more than 25 G-scale model trains, ferries and trolleys that zip through over 175 memorable NYC sites. The trains run through a half-mile of track surrounded by handcrafted miniature landmarks made from natural plant parts like seeds, stems and twigs. After your train journey, watch a short holiday film screening with the kids and take a stroll through the snowy gardens on the Winter Wonderland Tree Tour.

5th Avenue Holiday Window Displays

Shopping in NYC during the holidays can be a nightmare due to the tourist-packed streets. But there is definitely a redeeming quality to making the trek: holiday window displays! Every year in mid-November, the biggest department stores in New York City create one-of-a-kind presentations of holiday-cheer in their windows, usually with an original theme or throw-back to years past. (Shown here: one of Macy's Herald Square 2014 holiday window displays).

Gigantic Holiday Cheer

Giant ornaments are displayed annually during the holidays at different locations in NYC, including Rockefeller Center (across the street from Radio City Music Hall) on 6th Avenue.

Union Square Holiday Market

Open yearly from mid-November to Christmas Eve, the Union Square Holiday Market is the perfect place to get unique handmade gifts for everyone on your list.

Sledding in the City

If weather trends stay on course for New York City, you'll want to prepare yourself for some major snow this holiday season. Take advantage of the wintery weather and join the fun at any of the dozen local parks for some sledding! Prospect Park in Brooklyn (pictured here) or Central Park in Manhattan are classic locations to enjoy some slip-sliding fun.

Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

For a look at what happens in the boroughs during the holidays, take a trip to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn and tour their annual holiday decorations. The residents won’t label it a competition, but it’s hard not to see it that way when each new year brings bigger and brighter displays.

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Christmas in NYC

Related To:

Shop This Look

Santa Comes to Town

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Empire State Building

The Rockettes

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

NYBG's Holiday Train Show

5th Avenue Holiday Window Displays

Gigantic Holiday Cheer

Union Square Holiday Market

Sledding in the City

Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

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