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50 Things To Do in New York City at Christmas

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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!

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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.

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