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
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
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
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.
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