There is never a better time to visit the Big Apple, with its famous dance performances and Christmas light displays.
Few experiences are as enchanted as spending Christmas in New York. Numerous Christmas trees may be seen in the middle of restaurant lobbies, and the city's major buildings are transformed into canvases for magnificent light shows. Here are all of our favorite ways to celebrate in the city that never sleeps, including ice skating rinks and Christmas markets. Book a stay, begin shopping, and attempt to score tickets to the hottest Broadway musical in town.
1. Visit the most beautiful outdoor skating rink in the city.
The renowned Central Park could be the most recognizable landmark in New York City. It's also true that many people consider the grand Wollman skating rink's opening to be the best part of Christmas in New York. A brand-new clubhouse and robust free Wi-Fi make it even more enjoyable to visit after undergoing substantial renovations last year. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance so that you can reserve skates.
830 5th Avenue, New York, New York, 10065.
url: centralpark.com
When: Up until March 15, 2023, Wednesday
2. After viewing this ballet, you'll have sugarplum dreams.
There are numerous top-tier dance organizations in New York City, but none is as inextricably linked to the city as New York City Ballet.Since its debut at Lincoln Center in 1954, the company's performance of The Nutcracker has been one of the year's most anticipated events. In the NYCB production, there are a staggering 90 dancers, 125 lovely School of American Ballet students, and a 41-foot-tall Christmas tree.
Postal code 10023; 20 Lincoln Center Plaza
Nycballet.com is the website.
When: November 25, 2022 until December 31, 2022
3. View the Christmas displays of the renowned department stores on Fifth Avenue.
When you walk Fifth Avenue around the holidays, window shopping takes on a whole new meaning. But if you can only visit a few shops, be sure to swing by Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, two of New York's most illustrious department stores. The holiday window decorations match the most lavish Broadway productions, and each year they appear to be more sophisticated than the last. The themes for this year's windows have not yet been made public, but for a cool $3,000, you can book a front-row ticket to Saks's reveal and light display.
Addresses: Saks Fifth Avenue is at 611 Fifth Avenue in New York, NY, while Bergdorf Goodman is at 754 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
Websites: saksfifthavenue.com and bergdorfgoodman.com
When: Specific dates and times will be announced, but the season typically runs from late November to early January.
4. Explore a Brooklyn neighborhood known for its Christmas lighting.
Visit the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn for some of the city's most recognizable Christmas decorations if you want to escape the holiday chaos of Midtown Manhattan and enjoy a more local holiday celebration. During the holiday season, the typically tranquil enclave comes to life in technicolor as homes compete with one another for the most Christmas decorations, speakers blasting holiday music, and life-size Santas, sleighs, and reindeer. Even better, you can reserve a tour of the neighborhood with organizations like Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, which offers direct shuttle service from Manhattan.
Address: Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, 11th to 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th Streets
Facebook's website
When: Most homes will be illuminated between Monday, November 28, 2022, and Sunday, January 1, 2023.
5. Enjoy the lights at these two Bronx establishments.
There are several outdoor light displays in NYC over the Christmas season, and fortunately, two of our favorites are located close to one another. Over 360 specially made animal lanterns, costumed stilt walkers, and an animated light show are all part of the Bronx Zoo's holiday light display. And all the delights of the New York Botanical Garden, including their renowned Holiday Train Show with 190 replicas of NYC landmarks, are only a short drive away. There's also NYBG Glow, an after-hours event that lights up the gardens with a kaleidoscope of colors.
Addresses: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx, NY 10458; Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx, NY 10460
Websites: nybg.org and bronxzoo.com
When: The Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights operate from November 18 to January 8; the NYBG Train Show is held from Saturday, November 19, 2022, until Thursday, January 26, 2023.
6. Be astounded by this dance group's synchrony.
The "Showplace of the Nation," Radio City Music Hall, is a must-see for every theater enthusiast, and fortunately, the theater is home to The Radio City Rockettes during the Christmas season, a similarly esteemed institution whose dancers are renowned for their strict, precise technique. Their rendition of the Christmas Spectacular is a wonderful opportunity to experience the dancers' stunning, high-kicking synchronization and an even better way to get into the holiday mood. They're also introducing a brand-new song into the illustrious production this season called Dance of the Frost Fairies.
Postal code 10020 in New York is 1260 Avenue of the Americas.
Rockettes.com is the website.
When: Friday, November 18, 2022, until January 2, 2023
7. Purchase unique gifts at this Christmas market.
One of the busiest areas in downtown Manhattan is Union Square. Its park is always hosting events, such as the renowned Union Square Greenmarket or chess classes. But starting in mid-November, Urbanspace's Union Square Holiday Market, which has over 160 local vendors selling anything from puppets to socks to chocolate, becomes undeniably the attraction. To avoid the crush of weekend tourists, try to visit during the week.
Union Square, New York, NY 10003
Urbanspacenyc.com is the website.
When: November 17, 2022 until December 24, 2022
8. Inform Santa with your holiday wish list.
The famous Thanksgiving Day Parade is held at the Macy's department store in Herald Square, but the location is also the epicenter of holiday celebrations. The best place in New York City to get a photo with Santa Claus is at Macy's enormous Santaland, where there are also black and Spanish-speaking Santas accessible for the sake of diversity. Although the experience is free, you must reserve a time to come in advance.
Location: 151 W. New York, NY 10001; 34th St.
URL: macys.com
When: November 25, 2022 until December 24, 2022
9. Visit the USA's most well-known Christmas tree.
The lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is one of the busiest occasions throughout the holiday season in New York. The fortunate tree this year is a Norway spruce from Queensbury, New York, which will be decorated with 50,000 LED lights in various colors and crowned with a Swarovski star. If the bustle of the actual lighting, however, is too much for you to bear, you may still see the splendor of the evergreens throughout December (and then grab a meal at the recently revitalized Rockefeller Center right after).
In New York, NY 10111, at 45 Rockefeller Plaza
Rockefeller Center's website
When: November 30, 2022, until December 31, 2022
10. Holiday tea may be enjoyed at the city's most renowned hotel.
The storied Plaza Hotel is perhaps the hotel most strongly associated with New York City. The historic 1905 edifice, perched at the corner of Central Park and Fifth Avenue's renowned shopping, has hosted several global leaders, celebrities, and movie sets. A lot of tourists have tea at the Plaza on their bucket lists, but the holiday season is especially enjoyable there because of the gorgeous decorations, the magnificent, towering tree in the lobby, and one of the nicest Santa Claus scenes in the city. Aficionados of Home Alone 2 should also take note that a unique bundle is available for movie fans.
Location: 768 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019
URL: theplazany.com
When: All year round.
11. Experience a holiday-themed art display firsthand.
Visit ARTECHOUSE, a digital and immersive art experience at Chelsea Market, for a Christmas experience that deviates a little from the norm: SPECTACULAR FACTORY: The Holiday Multiverse Visitors are immersed in whimsical Christmas wonderlands, like swinging jingle bells, a candy cane carousel, and a train journey through festive wreaths, using projection mapping and high-tech speakers. After, don't forget to stop by Chelsea Market, one of the city's busiest and oldest food markets.
Location: 439 W. New York, New York 10011, 15th Street
URL: artechouse.com
When: Sunday, January 8, 2023, to Saturday, November 19, 2022
12. Before they become famous, listen to these singers.
You may be among the first to hear the next living great by going to Harlem for Apollo Amateur Night's Holiday Special. The Apollo Theater is renowned for helping to launch the careers of musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and H.E.R. The show will include a variety of exceptional young artists seeking their big break, including Apollo Stars of Tomorrow graduates.
253 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027
URL: apollotheater.org
When: December 10, 2022, on Saturday
Stonefeller Center