Heading to New York City at Christmastime? Here's a list of 25 best things to do in New York at Christmas for a magical time.
HOW TO HAVE A VERY MERRY NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS!
Are you wondering what to do in NYC during Christmas?
Get ready for a magical time with these 25 things to do in NYC during the holidays.
My daughter and I took a Christmas New York City trip a few years ago and even though I have been many times before, visiting New York City in December was unforgettable.
In New York City, Christmas is magical, and there are plenty of festive things to do. Here are some of our favorite things we did there that you should plan to do, too!
I'm sharing our top 25 Christmas in New York 2023 ideas to add to your travel list.
OTHER NYC TRAVEL TIPS:
BEFORE YOU GO
There are so many Christmas movies that are filmed in New York City. You should definitely watch any or all of these Christmas movies to get a glimpse of what you'll see in New York City at Christmas. It will make the special Christmas sights all the more magical when you recognize them from a Christmas movie.
CHRISTMAS MOVIES SET IN NYC:
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York City
- Serendipity
- Elf
- Miracle on 34th Street
- Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
- The Family Man (2000)
A FEW DISCLAIMERS:
- I don't claim to be an expert on NYC. My sister lives there, so many of these ideas came from her and she definitely deserves the BEST TOUR GUIDE award. She should be the one writing this post.
- This list includes mostly Christmas-specific ideas, so if you haven't ever been to the Big Apple before, you'll want to check out some of the other famous sites that aren't listed here.
- There are a few things on this list that we ran out of time to see. I've marked all the places we did see with an asterisk. Asterisk=been there and would recommend it!
WHERE TO STAY IN NEW YORK CITY
Like I said before, we usually stay with my sister who lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Can't beat a free place to stay! However, my husband and I have also stayed at Parker New York which was so romantic. Plus, Norma's is in this hotel which is one of our favorite places to eat in New York City. They have the most amazing brunch!
I always use Booking.com to book a hotel. This is not a sponsored post--I just love that they price match and usually offer free cancellation in case your plans change.
Save $20 on your next booking if you use this link to book.
WHERE TO EAT IN NYC
Your New York City trip expenses will add up quickly. You can get a list of all of our favorite Cheap Places to Eat In NYC right here.
NEW YORK CITY CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Here's our top 25 things to do in NYC.
1. Visit the Rockefeller Tree *
- Cost: Free
- Location: Rockefeller Center
- Things To Do: ice skate, breakfast with Santa
- Website
Quite possibly the most famous Christmas Tree, you've got go see the Rockefeller Tree for Christmas NYC. This NYC Christmas tree is shown in many Christmas movie scenes, including Home Alone.
There is an ice skating rink below and you can even catch breakfast at Santa while you're there. We didn't ice skate or eat breakfast with Santa, but just visiting the tree is really fun! The walkway leading up is lined with beautiful angels. All-in-all, you'll love this one.
We saw it both during the day and at night. If you can swing going at both times, do it! This is one of the most iconic Christmas things to do in NYC.
2. Go Ice Skating at Bryant Park* Christmas NYC Activity
- Cost: Free but skate rental is about $20 per person
- Location: Bryant Park
- Things To Do: ice skate, shops, food vendors
- Website
Christmas in Manhattan would not be complete without going to an outdoor skating rink.
There are a few different outdoor ice skating rinks in New York City, but we chose to go to the rink at Bryant Park. I'm so glad we did!
Skating at Bryant Park is free, you'll only need to pay for skate rental. That can cost you about $20. Thankfully my sister owned a few pairs, so we got out of skate rental charges. If you can take your own, you'll be able to enjoy a FREE activity.
The atmosphere is so fun and festive. You'll skate to a variety of Christmas music and the large Christmas tree sets the scene for a memorable night.
Shops and Food: There are some fun pop-up shops surrounding the rink with local vendors and food you can explore while you're in the area.
We loved trying the churros con chocolate from Dulcinea Churros .
3. Browse the Columbus Circle Christmas Market*
- Cost: No entrance fee, only cost is what you purchase
- Location: Columus Circle at Central Park
- Things To Do: shop gifts, food vendors,
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market Website
If you're a sucker for outdoor markets, you'll love the Manhattan Christmas Market at Columbus Circle. There red and white striped shops, with draping twinkle lights create a festive environment to browse through even if you don't plan to do any shopping.
Most of the vendors are local artisans and crafters with unique ornaments, gifts, and food for sale.
Eat: Plan to eat lunch or dinner at the Manhattan Christmas market! There are lots of fun ethnic food varieties. Personally my favorite was the Baked Haus which served Raclette over baguettes (a Swiss tradition) and the Churros con Chocolate.
4. Go see the giant color-changing stars at Columbus Circle*
- Cost: free
- Location: Shops at Columbus Circle
- Things To Do: admire giant color-changing lights, shop, eat
While you are at Columbus Circle, step inside the Shops at Columbus Circle, where you'll see giant stars hanging from the ceiling. If you go to the 2nd floor, you'll get an amazing view of the city, Columbus Circle, and these amazing color-changing stars.
I hear at night the stars change colors according to Christmas music. That would be a fun time to go, too!
5. Visit the New York Public Library Tree*
- Cost: free
- Location: New York Public Library near midtown by Bryant Park
- Things To Do: see the tree, walk around, check out the famous Rose Main reading room
- Website
You'll find a gorgeous Christmas tree right inside the lobby at the New York Public Library. The building itself is beautiful with the marble floors and the stately columns. You can also check out the famous reading room upstairs.
The entrance for this New York Christmas time activity is free...another bonus!
6. Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show*
- Cost: free
- Location: across from Rockefeller Center
- Things To Do: watch the light show
New York City holiday activities you don't want to miss is the Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas light show.
Right across the street from the Rockefeller Center is Saks Fifth Avenue. They have an amazing light show every 15 minutes or so that is choreographed to music.
We loved watching all the lights change colors and the entire side of their building become animated.
7. Look at the Saks Fifth Avenue Windows*
- Cost: free
- Location: across from Rockefeller Center
- Things To Do: see the famous holiday windows
Each year Saks Fifth Avenue unveils their holiday windows. The year we went, the theme was Snow White, so each window was elaborately decorated with animated scenes from Snow White. They spared no expense.
After you watch the light show from the Rockefeller plaza, walk across the street to take a stroll to view all the windows. We got caught in pouring rain, so our visit was quick, but then again, there were no lines.
8. Visit the Giant Ornaments*
- Cost: free
- Location: across from Rockefeller Center
- Things To Do: take a picture
We loved checking out the New York City holiday giant ornaments and you will, too. Where else do you see larger than life ornaments? You'll find these giant ornaments right across from Radio City.
9. See the Giant Christmas Lights *
- Cost: free
- Location: across from Rockefeller Center
- Things To Do: take a picture
Another simple and fun Xmas NYC activity is to admire the giant ornaments. When else do you get to see something like this? These are just a few minutes to see the giant Christmas lights.
10. See the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes*
- Cost: $50+
- Location: Radio City
- Things To Do: watch the famous Rockettes put on this amazing show
- Ticket Prices & Show Times
One of the most popular Christmas events NYC, the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes is a must-see!
This NYC Christmas show brought me to tears multiple times. It is the one of the top Christmas activities New York. And don't worry, the show is not just a bunch of women kicking their legs.
I took my 4-year old daughter with me and she was captivated the entire time. The music and dance is so entertaining and powerful. And not to spoil the show, but they have a live nativity at the end.
I was so impressed that they included Christ's birth in this show because that's what Christmas is all about! I would go see it again tomorrow. Amazing!
11. Eat Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity*
- Cost: $20+
- Location: Serendipity
- Things To Do: try the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate or other delicious food
Serendipity is a fun, eclectic restaurant famous for desserts, especially Frozen Hot Chocolate. My easy frozen hot chocolate recipe is one of the most popular recipes, but you must try the real deal in New York City.
All of the desserts are huge and over the top. Going to Serendipity was a fun after-show outing. And they have festive garland around the entire restaurant which makes it feel extra fancy for Christmas.
12. Donate at the Giving Machines In Rockefeller Center
- Cost: varies
- Location: Rockefeller Center
- Things to do: 100% of your
- More info
The giving machines provide an opportunity to make a donation to both local and global charities through a vending machines. These vending machines are located around the world, and now NYC has their very own. 100% of your donation goes to the charity.
13. Attend the Carol Singing + Tree Lighting at Brick Presbyterian Church on Park Avenue*
- Cost: Free
- Location: Brick Church on Park Avenue
- Things To Do: sing Christmas carols with thousands on the block
- Website
If you're lucky to be in New York City the first weekend of December (or around there) go the Carol Singing at the Brick Church on Park Avenue. We've always celebrated Advent Sundays to to be in New York City for the 1st Advent was a real treat for me !
The entire block is blocked off, which means there are lots of people, but lots of room. You'll get to sing Christmas carols with thousands of people while the organ plays and they light the trees on Park Avenue.
This activity was a highlight for sure!
14. Visit New York City Santa Claus
There are so many Santa Claus New York City you can visit. The most popular is one Santa at Macy's Herald Square, but there are other ways to see the man in the red suit.
15. Go to the New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show
- Cost: Free
- Location: Grand Central Station
- Things To Do: watch the mini train, shop
- Website
If you need a break from the cold weather outside or just want something fun for children, visit the Transit Museum inside the Grand Central Station. There is a very entertaining train city that will keep you captivated for a while (even adults!) You'll spot cute Christmas houses set up around the tracks.
Also, if you need any fun Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers, they have a large variety of Train books, and wooden trains, letter trains and more that will fit with any standard wooden train set.
16. Visit Macy's SantaLand
- Cost: Free, but reservations required
- Location: Macy's Herald Square
- Things To Do: visit Santa, photos, shop
- Reservations & Details
We didn't go to SantaLand on our visit, but I hear it's pretty festive and amazing. You'll walk through an all-out decorated Christmas land as you wait in line to see Santa. You must make reservations to go, but it's free. You can order professional photos of your child and Santa as well.
17. Visit Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Brooklyn
- Cost: free
- Location: Brooklyn (take the D Train to 79th St and New Utrecht Ave Brooklyn)
- Things To Do: Walk through the over-the-top Christmas light display
- More Details
If you're obsessed with Christmas light displays and think you've seen over the top, think again. Dyker Heights goes all out with Christmas lights and decorations. If you have time for a trip to an area of Brooklyn, you may want to add this to your travel itinerary!
18. Watch the New York Ballet Nutcracker
- Cost: $125+
- Location: Lincoln Center near Columbus Circle
- Things to do: enjoy the famous Nutcracker ballet New York City
- Website & Tickets
If you like the ballet, catch the Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet.
19. Take a Carriage Ride through Central Park
- Cost: $130+
- Location: Central Park
- Things To Do:
- Website & Tickets
This has always been on my bucket list, but darn it, we ran out of time, so a stroll through Central Park had to do. But how romantic would it be to take a ride snuggled up with your love as you ride through the park?
20. Enjoy the festive city sidewalks
New York City is a fast-paced place, but don't forget to stop and smell the flowers....or Christmas trees in this case!
Really, if you aren't a city-dweller, you'll smile seeing how the city folk shop for their trees. You'll have a hard time forgetting it's Christmastime as you smell the fresh pine on your city stroll.
In the hustle and bustle of you'll find in the city, don't forget to enjoy the decorations as you walk from place to place. You'll love spotting the wreaths and garland strung from buildings and doors. Every where you look is a sign of Christmas.
21. World's Largest Gingerbread Village
- Cost- free
- Location-Chelsea Market
- Things to do-view the largest gingerbread village
- More info
Jon Lovitch creates the world's largest gingerbread village each year. Take a look at it at Chelsea Market.
22. View the 5th Avenue Holiday Windows at Macy's Herald Square
We ran out of time for this one, too, but if you have time for a stroll or go shopping at Macy's, check out the holiday-themed windows!
23. Eat Candy Cane Shake At Shake Shack
New York City can be a bit spendy, so plan a meal or two at Shake Shack to save money on food! They have delicious burgers and the best crinkle-cut fries. They serve their food in cute and festive Holiday paper bags and their shakes come in festive cups, too! They have a famous Christmas Cookie shake you can grab for dessert, or try another one of their famous concretes.
There are multiple locations throughout the city. We love Shake Shack, so maybe I'm biased, but if you like burgers, plan a meal here!
24. Shopping
NYC has no shortage of shopping opportunities. Pull out your Christmas list and check off some of those gifts you need to get.
25. Serve!
There are so many opportunities to serve while you are in New York City. We were the lucky recipients of some service while we were there and we were able to pass it on as well. Nothing will make you feel the Christmas spirit more than by serving others...especially strangers!
Now you know what do in New York for Christmas!
Be sure to add new York city to your places to visit during Christmas list!
