Things to Do in NYC at Christmas: A Holiday Weekend Plan
New York City at Christmas is the trip a lot of people put on their list for years. The tree at Rockefeller Center, the department store windows, skating under the skyline and holiday markets on every corner make the city feel like a movie set from late November into early January. The trick is planning by neighborhood so you spend your time looking at lights, not standing in lines.
Here are the holiday classics worth your time, how to group them, and a simple weekend plan you can copy.
When to go
The season usually kicks off with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree a week or so later. From then until the first days of January, most of the decorations, rinks and markets are up.
Early December weekdays are the sweet spot. Everything is open and decorated, and crowds are lighter than the week before Christmas. The days between Christmas and New Year's are the busiest of the year, so if that is your only window, plan your big sights for early mornings. Exact dates for the tree lighting, markets and shows change each year, so check current schedules before you book.
Midtown: the heart of it all
Midtown is where most of the famous holiday sights sit within walking distance of each other. Give it at least one full day.
The Rockefeller Center tree
The giant tree above the rink at Rockefeller Center is the symbol of Christmas in New York. Walk in from Fifth Avenue through the Channel Gardens, which are lined with lit angels, for the classic view. Mornings and late evenings are far calmer than the after work rush. Skating on the rink below the tree is a bucket list moment, and reserving a time slot ahead is the way to do it.
Fifth Avenue windows and lights
Right across the street, Saks Fifth Avenue runs a light show on its facade in the evenings during the season. Walk north on Fifth Avenue toward Central Park to see the decorated store windows, with Bergdorf Goodman's displays a highlight for many visitors. The windows are free and they are best after dark.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Rockettes have been part of the holiday season at Radio City Music Hall for generations. Shows sell out on popular dates, so book as soon as you know your trip.
Bryant Park Winter Village
A short walk away, Bryant Park turns into a winter village with an ice rink and rows of small holiday shops and food stalls. It is a good place to warm up with hot chocolate and pick up a few gifts between sights.
Herald Square: Macy's
Macy's flagship store at Herald Square is part of holiday lore. Its windows draw crowds all season, and Santaland inside is a tradition for families with young kids. Reservations for visiting Santa are usually required, so check the store's site before you go.
More holiday markets
Beyond Bryant Park, a few other markets pop up each year:
- Union Square Holiday Market, a big outdoor market near the farmers market at Union Square
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market, at the southwest corner of Central Park
- Grand Central Holiday Fair, indoors inside Grand Central Terminal, a nice option on a cold or rainy day
While you are at Grand Central, look up at the ceiling of the Main Concourse. It is one of the most beautiful rooms in the city at any time of year.
Central Park in winter
Central Park is a great break from the crowds on Fifth Avenue. Wollman Rink near the southeast corner of the park offers skating with the Midtown skyline rising behind the trees. A walk through the park on a crisp morning, past the Pond and the Mall, is one of the free pleasures of a winter trip.
On the east side of the park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art traditionally displays a Christmas tree decorated with angels above an elaborate Neapolitan nativity scene. It is a quieter, beautiful holiday moment if you are visiting the museum anyway.
Holiday shows
Beyond the Rockettes, two other shows anchor the season:
- The Nutcracker by New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center, a holiday tradition for families
- The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, with model trains running past landmarks built from natural materials
Both are popular, so reserve early.
Dyker Heights Christmas lights
For a completely different side of the season, head to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn after dark. Homeowners in this residential neighborhood go all out with enormous light displays, animated figures and music. It is a long ride from Manhattan, so plan an evening for it and remember these are private homes on quiet streets. Walk respectfully and keep the noise down.
How to beat the crowds
- Go early. The tree and the windows are almost peaceful before 9 in the morning.
- Do weekdays for the big sights. Save weekends for Brooklyn, museums or a show.
- Book anything bookable. Skating slots, shows, Santa visits and dinner reservations all fill up.
- Plan by area. Midtown sights in one day, markets and Central Park in another, Brooklyn on an evening.
- Dress for standing still. You will spend a lot of time outside looking up. Warm boots, a hat and gloves make a big difference.
A simple holiday weekend in NYC
Day 1: Midtown. Start at the Rockefeller Center tree early, then walk Fifth Avenue to see the windows. Spend the afternoon at Bryant Park Winter Village and Grand Central. Come back to Fifth Avenue after dark for the Saks light show, then see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Day 2: The park and the west side. Skate at Wollman Rink in the morning, walk through Central Park, and visit the Met to see its holiday tree. Browse the Columbus Circle market in the afternoon and see The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in the evening.
Day 3: Markets and Brooklyn. Start at the Union Square Holiday Market, swing by Macy's at Herald Square for the windows, then rest up and head to Dyker Heights for the lights after dark.
Want more of the city around the holiday sights? Our 3 day New York City itinerary covers the neighborhoods, food and classic landmarks that pair well with a December visit.
Planning a group trip to NYC at Christmas
A holiday trip to New York is often a family or friends trip, which means a lot of opinions about which show to see and where to eat. Agree on the must dos early, since the most popular bookings disappear first. Our group trip planner page has tips for getting everyone on the same page, and if you are bringing kids, see our family vacation planner page too.
Doing it in Wander Off
Create an adventure for your New York trip and invite everyone going. Add the tree, the windows, the markets, your show and your dinner spots to the Plan tab by day, and let the group vote on what makes the cut. Book your flight, hotel and things to do in the Tickets tab so they sit right next to the plan. Every photo from the trip lands on the right day and place automatically, and when you get home, make the adventure public so friends can copy your holiday weekend for their own dates.
