Giant Christmas lights New York City Christmas things to do NYC three day itinerary
Home
Travel Styles
Christmas Destinations

50 Things To Do in New York City at Christmas

Sherianne Higgins·
Last updated:
Skip Ahead show

Top Things to Do in New York City at Christmas

If you are planning a trip to New York City at Christmas and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Grab your coat and mittens, a New York City Christmas is magical! The 5th Ave shops glimmer with decorations and the store windows come alive. Christmas markets, pop-up bars, and ice skating rinks emerge throughout the city. Christmas trees occupy street corners and pine fills the air. Even the Empire State Building gets into the holiday spirit with green and red lights. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal New York City Christmas bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your New York City Christmas trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

READ Things To Do in New York City

Macy's Christmas Lights New York City Things to do
Macy’s

Things to Do in and Around New York City at Christmas

Watch Santa come to Town in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Check out the nativity scene and Christmas Tree at the Met

Listen to Handel’s Messiah at the New York Philharmonic

Enjoy the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at Mandarin Oriental

See the Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center

Watch the Holiday Under the Stars light show at Time Warner Center

Browse the Christmas Market at Columbus Circle

Go ice skating at the Wollman Rink

Make a snowman or snow angel in Central Park

Go sledding in Central Park

Explore the Gingerbread Extravaganza at Le Parker Meridien

Check out the holiday decorations at The Plaza

Take a photo with the doorman at FAO Swartz

Grab a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3

View the window displays along 5th Ave

Buy some roasted chestnuts from a street vendor

Donate to the Salvation Army and watch them dance!

Watch the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Radio City Music Hall Christmas New York City
Radio City Music Hall

Take a photo in front of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center

Grab a coffee and view the ice skating rink from the Rockefeller Center Concourse

Watch the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue

Attend the New York Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Holiday Brass Concert

Browse the Grand Central Christmas Market

Go on an Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

See A Christmas Carol at Beckett Theater on 42nd Street

Take a photo in front of the Bryant Park Christmas Tree

Go ice skating in Bryant Park

Grab an apple cider and browse the Bryant Park Winter Village

Attend the Jingle Ball Concert at Madison Square Garden

See Elf the Musical at the Madison Square Garden Theatre

Have breakfast with Santa at Macy’s on 34th Street

Attend a Christmas Concert

Check out the Empire State Building’s red and green lights

Participate in the Santacon crawl

See the giant Christmas lights and ornaments on 6th Ave

Giant Red Ornaments Christmas New York City
Giant Red Ornaments

Stop in Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack for a holiday-themed cocktail

Have spiced eggnog at Rolf’s and check out the decorations

Browse the Union Station Christmas Market

Drink hot chocolate at Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

Eat Christmas Cookies at Milk and Cookies

Stop in Miracle on 9th Street for a holiday-themed cocktail

Tour the Whitestone Christmas Lights (Queens)

Check out Gingerbread Lane at the New York Hall of Science (Queens)

See the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)

Check out the Bronx Christmas House (Bronx)

Go sledding in Prospect Park (Brooklyn)

Tour the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Brooklyn)

See the Hip Hop Nutcracker at King’s Theater (Brooklyn)

See the Nutcracker Rouge, adult only (Brooklyn)

Check the New York City Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

My Favorite Booking Resources

  • Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
  • Trainline Explore effortlessly by train and bus.
  • Booking.com Search Booking.com to find the perfect property.
  • Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
  • Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
  • Tiqets Get your tickets now, relax when you arrive.
  • Big Bus Tours Hop-on Hop-off at all the iconic landmarks.
  • Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
  • Welcome Pickups Airport and port transfers.
  • Visitors Coverage Pick the right travel insurance for you.
  • Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
  • Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home. 

Bookmark and Pin Things To Do in New York City at Christmas

Related Posts

14 Responses

  1. Excellent list Sherianne. I grew up in NJ so I did many of these things. We have landed many house sits in NYC for the holiday season over the past 2 years, spending much time in the US from November to January. We wrapped up a sit last week, and will head back in for Thanksgiving weekend, then have another sit in early December, meaning we get to see the tree. We will probably get a sit right after Christmas too as we usually do. Awesome list!

    Ryan

  2. I’ve always wanted to spend time in NYC during Christmas time and this is why! However, I didn’t realize just how much there is to do! I’d love to see Elf the Musical since that’s one of my favorite holiday movies! I also want to see the Bronx Christmas House!

  3. Great list! Totally agree that Christmas is a magical time of year in New York – I loved walking through a wintery Central Park, and ice skating throughout different city rinks. We took in a Rangers game at Madison Square Gardens, and it was just fun walking the city and seeing the oversize decorations all over the place!

  4. I’ve never visited the Big Apple at Christmas time, it’s time to go. Though I’d probably suffer from Santa overload. Hot chocolate, on the other hand…

  5. Wow love the festive mood in the things to do 🙂
    Guess one has to arrive 2 weeks prior to Christmas to do all of these.
    I will be guilty to choose just few among these. 😉

  6. Now that’s a lot of things to do for Christmas! I’m sure New York is one of the “sparkliest” cities during this season and tons of Christmas sale!

  7. I lived in NYC for a few years, and Christmas is always one of my favorite times of year in the city. I used to work in Union Square, so the Christmas Market there was my go-to spot for family Christmas gifts and some snacks or hot chocolate on a quiet afternoon.

  8. Oh, this makes me miss New York so much! The holidays are the best time in the city and, like you said, there’s so much to do and see. This is a great list!

  9. I used to live in NYC and your post brought back fond memories! Nutcracker Ballet is so iconic. I have only seen it on the TV. I’d love to see a live performance one day!

    1. Lincoln Center is a great place to see it, sounds like you have a reason to visit at Christmas!

  10. Ya. Come Christmas, there would be so many things to in Gotham:) 50 is pretty exhaustive list already!

  11. Wonderful post!! We spent Christmas in NYC one year and loved it. Had to drink hot cocoa like 10x a day to stay warm haha.

Comments are closed.