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Things To Do In New York City at Christmas

ByTravelingBrenda Updated on

There’s something magical about New York at Christmas. The lights, the energy, the festive window displays, everything feels bigger and brighter. I visited with my mom and sister last December, and it quickly became one of my favorite trips ever.

For my mom, it was a bucket list experience she’d dreamed about for years. We wanted to ice skate by the Rockefeller Center tree, see the Rockettes, and all the Christmas lights! It turned out to be even better than we imagined.

If you’re looking for a safe and fun girls’ trip, New York City at Christmas is a perfect choice! The city is easy to navigate, full of great restaurants and shopping, and packed with festive things to do from morning to night.

From skating under the Rockefeller tree to sipping hot chocolate in Bryant Park, here are the best things to do in New York City at Christmas.

Outdoor dining area with white metal tables and chairs under bare trees adorned with twinkling lights. Nearby hedges are illuminated, creating a festive ambiance.

How to Get Around During the Holidays

New York is busy in December, so plan your routes ahead of time. The subway is your best friend. It’s fast, affordable, and avoids the traffic that can clog Midtown.

Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking a lot. Bundle up with layers and bring a warm hat and gloves. The wind between the tall buildings can be chilly!

If you’re visiting for several days, consider booking a centrally located hotel so you can walk to most attractions. We used Hyatt points and stayed at the Thompson Central Park, and it was the perfect location!

A tall, elegantly decorated Christmas tree adorned with golden ornaments and lights stands in a modern room. Wrapped gifts sit beneath it, creating a festive atmosphere.
Thompson Central Park

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 🎄

No trip to New York City at Christmas is complete without seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It’s iconic for a reason.

When I walked up to the plaza and saw it for the first time, I understood why people travel from all over the world for this moment. The tree towers over the rink, wrapped in thousands of twinkling lights, with the golden Prometheus statue gleaming below.

If you want to skate beneath the tree, book your time slot in advance, especially during December weekends. Even if you don’t skate, it’s worth standing along the edge with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate just to soak it all in.

If you decide to skate, you will select a time when purchasing your tickets. Tickets can range from $40-100 for adults, depending on the date and time. December dates and evening times will be the most expensive. Skate rental is included with your ticket. You will get 60 minutes of skate time, and they keep track by giving you a colored sticker that shows the time you entered.

  • Illuminated Christmas tree with colorful lights at a city plaza, towering above a gold statue. People ice skate below, creating a festive atmosphere.
  • Brenda in a red coat and scarf stands smiling in front of a large, brightly lit Christmas tree at an ice rink. The scene conveys festive joy.

Travel tip: Go early in the morning or late at night if you want fewer crowds. The tree stays lit until midnight, and seeing it after dark without the daytime rush makes it even more magical.

See the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

One of my favorite experiences in New York was seeing the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. I’ve seen holiday shows before, but nothing compares to this. This was on my mom’s bucket list, and I’m glad we did it! The precision, the costumes, the classic choreography, and enjoying some champagne; it’s pure joy from start to finish.

Radio City itself is beautiful, especially when it’s decorated for the holidays. Walking inside feels like stepping into a piece of history. The Christmas Spectacular has been running since the 1930s, and there’s something comforting about watching a tradition that’s been loved for generations.

  • Street view of Radio City Music Hall at night, adorned with a sparkling Christmas tree. Neon red and blue signs glow, with bustling traffic and pedestrians.
  • Hands hold up champagne glasses inside a large theater, with festive snowflake lights projected on orange arches, creating a celebratory atmosphere.

Booking tip: Tickets can sell out quickly, so try to reserve yours as soon as you know a date. Evening shows are popular, but morning performances are easier to book and less crowded.

The Big Red Ornaments

If you’ve ever seen photos of those giant red ornaments stacked across from Radio City Music Hall, they’re even better in person. They sit in front of the 1251 Avenue of the Americas building, reflecting in the fountain below, and they make for one of the most classic holiday photo spots in Manhattan. Make sure you stop either before or after your show at Radio City!

Large red Christmas ornaments are stacked on a reflective platform above a waterfall fountain, surrounded by illuminated trees and tall buildings at night.

Stroll Down Fifth Avenue

After the show, we walked down Fifth Avenue, which transforms into a holiday runway in December. Every store window is decked out with themed displays, glittering lights, and luxury décor.

Even if you’re not there to shop, the window displays alone are worth the trip. Saks Fifth Avenue always steals the show with its synchronized light performance that plays every few minutes on the building’s façade. Make sure to pass by St Patrick’s Cathedral to admire its architecture adorned with festive decorations

I stopped in front of Louis Vuitton and Coach just to admire their displays, then tried to stop into Papillon Bistro, but they were closed for an event. If you want to stop here, make reservations in advance

  • A festive city street at night, featuring a building wrapped like a giant gift with a snowflake decoration. Crowds in winter attire add a cheerful vibe.
    Louis Vuitton
  • Festive store display featuring a large Christmas tree adorned with colorful lights and ornaments, surrounded by mannequins and wrapped gift boxes.
    Coach Store
  • Festive storefront with a Santa statue, illuminated candy canes, and reindeer. Red and gold tones, conveying a joyful holiday atmosphere.
    Papillon
  • St Patrick's cathedral at night with two pointed spires. The building is illuminated, festive lights and people around create a lively, majestic atmosphere.
    St Patrick’s Cathedral

Bryant Park Winter Village

One of the most charming spots in New York at Christmas is Bryant Park Winter Village. This festive market is filled with small vendors selling handmade gifts, ornaments, and seasonal treats.

I loved wandering through the rows of glass huts, each filled with something different, like candles, artwork, jewelry, and local snacks. The ice-skating rink here is free if you bring your own skates, or you can rent a pair on-site.

Don’t miss the food stalls either. I grabbed a cocktail at The Lodge and a chicken stick, then found a table by the ice rink to people-watch. It’s one of those simple moments that captures the spirit of New York at Christmas perfectly.

  • Tall blue sign at Bryant Park advertises "Winter Village" with ice skating, holiday shops, and food. Surrounding trees and leaves create a festive atmosphere.
  • Hand holding a skewer of fried chicken nuggets topped with mayo, cheese, and corn in a paper tray. Set against a bright blue ground with people in the background.
  • Ice rink with clear blue skies in an urban setting, surrounded by tall skyscrapers and leafless trees. People sit by the rink’s edge, creating a lively, winter atmosphere.

Explore Hudson Yards and The Vessel

Hudson Yards is a newer addition to New York’s holiday scene, but it’s quickly become one of my favorites. The entire complex is wrapped in gold lights, literally millions of them. Every pillar, archway, and storefront sparkles.

The centerpiece is The Vessel, a honeycomb-like structure that glows at night. You can purchase tickets to climb it, or it’s beautiful to just see up close, especially when the Christmas lights are reflected on its copper panels.

Inside the Shops at Hudson Yards, you’ll find luxury brands and holiday pop-ups, and it’s a good place to warm up between outdoor stops. The restaurants upstairs are also great for dinner with a view.

Shopping mall atrium adorned with holiday decorations, including a large illuminated hot air balloon. Shoppers walk below on a busy, festive floor.

If you’re into festive lights, this is one of the most photogenic places in New York City at Christmas.

Macy’s at Herald Square

A trip to Macy’s Herald Square is another must during Christmas in New York. It’s not just a department store, it’s a holiday landmark.

The store goes all out for the season, from its window displays to the decorations inside. I spent nearly an hour walking through the Christmas floor, filled with ornaments, themed décor, and holiday gifts.

Festive night scene of a city street with a large Macy's sign and holiday decorations. The building is adorned with wreaths and lights, creating a joyful atmosphere.

If you’re visiting with kids, Macy’s Santaland is legendary, but even as an adult, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic. The staff wear elf hats, Christmas music plays through every floor, and the whole place feels straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.

Even if you’re not shopping, step inside to experience it, it’s a piece of New York Christmas history!

Wall St

The New York Stock Exchange has its own massive Christmas tree, and the surrounding buildings are decorated with wreaths and garlands. It’s a quieter area compared to Midtown, which makes it a nice break from the crowds!


We visited on a weekday morning when the area was quieter and easier to explore. It’s also close to the Charging Bull statue and One World Observatory, so you can easily combine all three in one outing.

  • Street view of a tall building adorned with festive holiday decorations, including wreaths and garlands. A street sign reads "Wall St" and "New St."
    Wall St
  • Wall Street scene with tall buildings, Christmas trees adorned with lights and decorations, American flags, and a festive, bright atmosphere.
    Wall St Tree
  • Two people stand smiling near the 9/11 Memorial in New York, with reflective panels bearing names. Skyscrapers rise in the clear blue sky, creating an urban backdrop.
    One World Observatory

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

If it’s not too cold, visiting the Brooklyn Bridge should be on your list! We walked over it from Wall St. It’s about a 30-minute walk from there, or you can take the AC Train to get to the other side.

Once across, I grabbed a coffee at Butler in DUMBO and headed to Brooklyn Bridge Park to take in the skyline views.

If you go at night, you’ll get a completely different vibe. The city sparkles in every direction, and the bridge feels almost cinematic. Make sure you bundle up, it gets windy on the bridge!

View from Brooklyn Bridge featuring its cables and beige railings, overlooking the East River with city skyline and blue sky, conveying a sense of openness.

Book a Christmas Pop-Up Experience 🎅

One of the most fun things we did in New York City at Christmas was visit a holiday pop-up bar. These themed experiences are scattered across the city and change every year, offering over-the-top decorations, themed cocktails, and endless photo ops.

Here are a few of the best Christmas pop-ups in NYC worth checking out:

  • Miracle on 9th Street – A global holiday pop-up bar known for kitschy décor and creative cocktails served in Santa mugs.
  • Rolf’s German Restaurant – Famous for its year-round Christmas decorations and cozy, over-the-top vibe. It’s a NYC classic — reservations fill up months in advance.
  • Frosty’s Christmas Bar – A multi-floor immersive holiday bar in Midtown with themed drinks, DJs, and light shows.
  • Oscar Wilde Bar – Beautifully decorated Victorian bar with elegant, festive décor that feels like stepping into a Christmas movie.
  • Holly Jolly Bar – It’s the newest festive pop-up by Bucket Listers, adorned with immersive floor-to-ceiling decor.

These pop-ups are extremely popular, so book ahead or check for walk-in options online. They’re a great way to enjoy the holiday energy without fighting the outdoor crowds.

  • Festive bar scene with "Frosty's" sign, decorated with red and gold ornaments, reindeer, and lights. Cozy and cheerful Christmas atmosphere.
    Frosty’s
  • A hallway adorned with colorful Christmas lights leads to a festively decorated room. Snow-like decorations and hanging ornaments create a joyful, holiday ambiance.
    Holly Jolly Bar

Final Thoughts

Visiting New York City at Christmas truly feels like stepping into a movie. There are so many things to do in New York City at Christmas, so I hope this guide helps you pick the best way to spend your time.

Between the towering tree at Rockefeller Center, the Rockettes kicking in perfect unison, and lights on every corner, it’s impossible not to feel the holiday spirit.

If you’ve ever dreamed of spending Christmas in New York, do it! Bundle up, bring your camera, and give yourself time to wander. Some of the best moments happen when you least expect them.

Looking for a full done-for-you itinerary? Check out my New York Christmas-The BEST 3 Day Itinerary

A large Christmas tree adorned with bright lights, red ornaments, and gifts stands in a festive indoor setting. Brenda standing in a red coat smiles beside it.
La Grande Boucherie Lobby

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