5+ Best Things to Do for Christmas in NYC 2024

This post is about the best things to do for Christmas in NYC.

Christmas in NYC is the perfect place to see festive decorations and get into the Christmas spirit during the most wonderful time of the year. Your NYC Christmas trip isn’t complete without all of these best ways to spread holiday cheer and start an annual tradition with your family. There is no better place than the Big Apple to experience the festive season with your family or explore the most romantic things during your NYC Christmas trip with your loved one.

Christmas is a good time to visit such a great place. The bright lights, holiday markets, Christmas trees, and live performances are just a few of the favorite things we love about Christmas in NYC. There are many fun things to do during the winter season, and we have the perfect way to experience it.

Here is a closer look at our top things and the best places to go during Christmas time.

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Accommodation Recommendations

Little Charlie Hotel

Its hard to find an affordable hotel during Christmas in NYC but the  Little Charlie Hotel is a great option for those on a budget. The hotel is city center offering free breakfast and wifi as well as a fun rooftop hangout. The rooms are small – but that’s almost everywhere in New York City.

Click here to book.

The Maritime Hotel

The Maritime is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Chelsea. There is a restaurant, bar, pet accommodations, a gym, and free breakfast. There is also babysitting services offered here! Rooms are a decent size compared to most in NYC and there are penthouse upgrades available if you want more space.

Click here to book.

Christmas in NYC

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

When you think of Christmas in NYC, there’s a good chance you’re picturing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, busied with ice skaters at the rink below it. There’s a reason this attraction is so popular – you may never see a tree so magical!

The tree has been a tradition since the 1930s, when workers at Rockefeller pitched money together to buy a tree to decorate the area. A lot of things have changed since then! Nowadays, the tree boasts over 50,000 LED lights (over 5 miles worth of strands!) topped with an almost half ton  Swarovski star.

Needless to say, this is a big deal in New York!

Ice skating beneath this beauty is quite the magical experience. For tickets and more information head on over to this website. Keep in mind this activity gets quite crowded during the Christmas season. We recommend booking ahead of time and getting there early.

If you don’t have the budget for skating at Rockefeller, there’s plenty more options in NYC; like Central Park or Byrant Park.

See Holiday Lights

There are other gorgeous sights besides the Rockefeller Christmas tree!

Take your own holiday light tour and explore the city decorated with Christmas lights everywhere. You’ll want to check out several popular areas like Central Park, Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, and the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show.

Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show is an annual display between 49th and 50th Street. The department store does a different theme every year, setting over half a million lights to dance to Christmas music. The show begins in late November typically running every 10 minutes from 5 pm to 11 pm.

While snow isn’t common this time of year in NYC, if it happens to be in the forecast during your visit, you HAVE to go to Central Park. There is nothing quite like Central Park littered with a blanket of snow. Paired with the holiday lights that string around the park, it is a beautiful view.

Dyker Heights is a gorgeous Brooklyn neighborhood with over-the-top extravagant Christmas decorations everywhere you look. These homeowners personally decorate their homes or call in a professional Christmas decorator (yes, those exist). Its such a fun walking tour around this neighborhood, just keep in mind most people turn their lights off after 9 pm.

Bryant Park Christmas Village

Bryant Park is home to all your holiday shopping needs. With over 150 vendors, you will find unique and fun gifts for all your family and friends at one of the best Christmas markets in the United States. You are even sure to find something for yourself! Vendors offer a variety of goods like Christmas decorations, jewelry, crafts, and other homemade goods.

In addition to shopping, there is also The Lodge located in the park, an après-themed establishment offering festive cocktails, hot chocolate, and food, with entertaining views of the beautiful park and ice skating rink.

It is also free to ice skate at Bryant Park! You just need to bring your own skates, or you can rent a pair for a fee.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

New Yorkers swear seeing The Nutcracker is a must-do every holiday season. From its gorgeous scenery, phenomenal crew, and incredible lighting, anyone will enjoy this ballet. If you’ve never seen a ballet or play before, you should definitely consider checking out The Nutcracker!

Tickets are expensive and sell out fast. Be sure to book ahead of time! The performance is spectacular and an unforgettable experience.

Purchase tickets online on this website. 

Admire Holiday Window Displays

The city is littered with beautiful holiday window displays in almost every shop, but the most notable are the ones found along Fifth Avenue. This is a great spot since this is a popular shopping district, and the stores take a lot of time to design their displays. Some spend the whole year creating a lasting impression!

As you can imagine, these displays are worth walking around and checking out, not to mention the holiday gifts you can find for friends and family in this district. But don’t fret if you’re on a budget – just seeing the displays is a treat in itself. Dress warm in layers, as the winter months can have unpredictable weather.

Visit Macy’s at Herald Square

The company responsible for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s in New York is a must-do when visiting the city for holiday spirit. As seen in many different Christmas movies, Macy’s is a massive 11-floor shopping frenzy that you have to see, even if you don’t plan on buying anything.

Each floor is decorated with a different holiday theme.

Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Show

Seeing the Radio City Rockettes is another iconic activity to do during Christmas in NYC. Their Radio City Christmas spectacular is a fun way to spend an evening during your visit. There are a few different experiences offered for the show like eating breakfast with Santa or even singing on stage during the opening act!

You can also get a guided tour of the iconic Radio City Music Hall venue. The Showplace of the Nation is iconic for a reason – the history and architecture of this place is incredible.

Due to its popularity, we highly recommend booking tickets in advance. Head to this website here.