15 Best Things to Do in New York City During Christmas
If you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple during the holiday season, it can be overwhelming to figure out what the best things to do in New York City during Christmas are – especially if you’ve spent years seeing the city in holiday movies on the small screen.
View of Empire State Building from 230 5th roofttop bar during Christmas; November 2024
There’s a reason why so many movies in New York City take place during Christmas time, and why so many people in real life fly thousands of miles to visit Manhattan during the “most magical time of year” – as something about the city becomes simultaneously even more electric and emotion provoking during the holidays.
Whether it’s walking down Fifth Avenue, window shopping at Saks, or meddling through the crowds at Bryant Park Winter Village – there’s a ton to do in NYC during Christmas that you should be sure to not miss.
Is It Worth Visiting New York City During Christmas?
Yes, 1000% – everyone should visit New York City during Christmas at least once in their lives. As the daughter of a New Yorker, having lived in the city myself and visiting all throughout my life, I can say without a doubt that Christmas is my favorite time to visit
Is New York City More Expensive During Christmas?
Honestly, in all my trips to New York City around the holiday season, both from flying in abroad from Paris and simply taking the bus or train up north from Washington D.C. – I have found the airfare, train tickets, and hotel costs to be about the same in New York City during Christmas as any other time of year.
When is the tree lit in Rockefeller center for Christmas?
The tree at Rockefeller Center in NYC is usually lit the week after Thanksgiving. For the 2025 Holiday Season, the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center will be lit on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 between 7 and 10p.m. EST.
15 Best Things to Do in New York City During Christmas
1. See the Tree at Rockefeller Center
This is the non-negotiable, if you must do one thing during Christmas in New York City, thing that you have to do.
Rockfeller Christmas Tree in NYC; December 2020
Of course, it’s best to get up close and see the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center too – but the tree is an iconic part of the city during the holiday season whichever way you cut it.
My personal favorite year for the NYC Christmas tree was back in 2020, when the city was deserted and the typical tourist holiday crowds were nowhere in sight.
2. Go Ice Skating
As someone who can’t ice skate for the life of her, I always preferred to watch the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center, and later Bryant Park Winter Village when I lived in the city in my early 20s – from afar.
However, in 2024 – I took a foreign friend to the city and she insisted on ice skating. We opted for Central Park, as she wanted to see the infamous park anyways – and while it was entertaining, I wouldn’t necessarily do it again.
Ice skaters in Rockfeller Plaza, December 2014
Is Skating in NYC Worth it?
I think going ice skating in New York City is absolutely worth it if you’re a tourist, enjoy ice skating, and have never done it before. But if you’re anything like me, can’t ice skate for your life, and always plan on coming back to the city – I think you can safely watch the other ice skaters from afar without FOMO.
Want to see us ice skating in New York City during Christmas time in action? Check out my NYC travel vlog below!
Where Should I Go Ice Skating in NYC?
Trying to decide between Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and Wollman Rink in Central Park for ice skating in New York City?
Check out the comparison cards below to compare prices, crowds, sizes, and the vibes of each rink:
⛸️ NYC Ice Rink Comparison Guide 🎄
💵 Price: $$$ (Most expensive)
📍 Location: Midtown Manhattan
👥 Crowds: Extremely popular — expect lines!
✨ Vibe: The iconic NYC Christmas moment — tree views, lights, and total movie magic.
💵 Price: $$ (Mid-range)
📍 Location: Inside Central Park
👨👩👧 Crowds: Lively & family friendly, but not chaotic
🏙️ Vibe: Skating with skyline + trees behind you — super photogenic.
💵 Price: $ (Free if you bring your own skates)
📍 Location: Midtown, right by 5th Ave
👥 Crowds: Very crowded — market + rink together
🛍️ Vibe: Cozy, festive, market stalls all around — great for people-watching.
3. Wander the West Village
As I’m nostalgic for the village during the holidays as its where I lived in December 2020, I’m a bit biased – but also, I don’t see how anyone can resist the Christmas decorated lights on West Village walk-ups.
Also, all of the restaurants on Carmine Street, Grove Street, Cornelia Street, and Bleeker will be decked out in Christmas decorations – making the village even cozier than it usually is, and well worth a visit while in New York City during Christmas.
Exploring the West Village during Christmas; December 2020
4. Walk 5th Avenue
Growing up, I would take mother-daughter trips to the city with my mom – often during Christmas time.
One of the main things we would do is go window shopping on Fifth Avenue: exploring Bergdof Goodman’s, Saks, and more.
Plus, all of the holiday decorations are most prominent on Fifth Avenue than on other avenues in the city – as this is the main “walkway” for tourists exploring touristic spots like the Empire State Building.
Window shopping in NYC on 5th Avenue; December 2014
5. Roquettes at Radio City Music Hall
If you want to see a traditional holiday show while in New York City, opt to see the famous Radio City Rockettes – which offers shows several times a day.
Radio City Music Hall during Christmas; November 2023
6. Jingle Ball iHeart Radio
If modern music is more your thing, such as following the “pop girlies” or seeing the Jonas Brothers – you may want to try and get tickets for iHeartRadio’s annual holiday concert at Madison Square Garden, better known as Z100’s Jingle Ball NYC.
All of the year’s favorite pop artists are usually bound to perform, having featured artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift in years past – making for a great mix of modern and traditional Christmas musical vibes.
This year, Jingle Ball will be held on Friday, December 12th 2025 – with an all-star lineup including Ed Sheerdan, Reneé Rapp, and Conan Grey.
Jingle Bells outside of Fox News in Midtown; December 2020
7. Holiday Pop-ups & Bars
New York City is known for its plethora of pop-up events, and these aren’t in shortage during the holiday season either – from festive holiday cocktails to
fun, movie-themed pop ups, you won’t be bored either way!
🎄🍸 OVERVIEW OF HOLIDAY POP-UP BARS IN NYC 🍸🎄
8. Explore Holiday Vibe in Chelsea Market
Having exploded recently due to Tik Tok, as a local New Yorker – the Chelsea Market is on the overrated side.
That being said, I think it’s exceptionally pretty during the holiday season – especially the inside of the market, and is well worth a walk around during Christmas. Be sure to try the local bakeries inside the market, as their perfect for a loaf of bread or sweet treats during the holiday season.
Chelsea Market in NYC during Christmas; December 2020
9. Union Square Holiday Market
As my personal favorite and most underrated market in New York City, Union Square’s Holiday Market is often overshadowed by the Tik Tok friendly Bryant Park Winter Village – but in reality, the market at Union Square is much more pleasurable, less crowded, and even has several of the same vendors to be found at Bryant Park’s holiday market.
I strongly recommend coming to Union Square’s Holiday Market when it opens at 10a.m., with one of my favorite annual vendors being three bluebirds for their awesome sustainable towels!
Union Square Holiday Market; November 2023
10. Bryant Park Winter Village
Although it’s true that the Bryant Park Winter Village is always crowded during the holiday season, even during Covid and especially on weekends – it is absolutely worth seeing while you’re in New York City during Christmas.
Bryant Park is already my favorite park in the city, for its European vibe, park chairs, and surrounding cafés – and it only gets more charming during the holiday season.
Bryant Park Winter Village; November 2023
If you’re dead set on visiting Bryant Park’s Winter Village, I strongly recommend visiting as early as possible – as the later afternoon hours can be a miserable, sardines-packed-in-a-can crowded experience.
11. Grand Central Terminal Market
A lesser known holiday market in New York City, unless you’ve explored the lower levels of the movie-centric train station – Grand Central Station also has its own holiday market hidden on the lower floors near where the public restrooms are.
Having discovered fun things from Turkey cupcakes to other holiday goodies, the holiday market in Grand Central station is much more food centric – but very peaceful and quiet, and perfect for exploring after taking your Gossip Girl tourist photos.
Grand Central Station during Christmas; November 2024
12. Macy’s & Holiday Windows in Herald Square
Another one of the most iconic places in New York City during Christmas time is Macy’s in Herald Square, as every year – they have fun, and now interactive holiday windows perfect for family viewing.
Plus, inside Macy’s on 34th street is beautiful during the holidays – and I often find clearance sales inside on the top floor during the holiday season, too.
Macy’s during Christmas; November 2023
13. See the Fox News Christmas Tree
Everyone raves about the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza, but people forget that just around the corner near Radio City Music Hall is the Fox News Tree – which is adorned by beautiful, giant red jingle bells every year.
n fact, this is one of my favorite spots to feel the holiday season in the city – so be sure to make sure you don’t miss it while in Midtown.
Fox News Christmas Tree; December 2020
14. Wall Street & New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
Another underrated Christmas Tree in New York City, the holiday season is more than prevalent down on Wall Street.
With the New York Stock Exchage Christmas tree and older, brick New York buildings – you’ll be bound to feel the holiday spirit while here downtown.
Wall Street decorated for Christmas; December 2020
15. Witness the Magical Winter Lights at Dyker Heights in Brooklyn
If you want to channel your inner Dash & Lilly, you can head up to Dyker heights in Brooklyn – where the local houses go all out for the Christmas lights decorations.
If you’re a big fan of driving through the neighborhood to see what other houses have on display for the holidays – you won’t want to miss this one while in New York City during Christmas.
🎄🗽 FAQ on NYC During Christmas 🎁
| 🎅 Is NYC more crowded during Christmas? | I would say NYC is crowded during the holiday season, but it’s not a notable difference from any other time of year – except maybe on New Year’s Eve if you’re hanging out around Midtown close to where the ball drops. |
| 💸 Is NYC more expensive during Christmas? | No, I don’t find New York City to be drastically more expensive during the holiday season in terms of travel. However, if you plan to do a lot of holiday shopping, do expensive tourist attractions like Top of the Rock or ice skating, or go to JingleBall’s concert – you might want to factor that into the price of your trip. |
| ⛸️ Is Ice skating in NYC worth it? | I think it’s worth ice skating in New York City if you don’t come to the city often, are a foreign tourist, and have seen it all your life in movies and genuinely enjoy ice skating. However, if you’re anything like me, and can’t ice skate for your life – I would say you can safely pass and drink a hot cocoa or cider while watching the other skaters. |
| 🎁 What is the best holiday market in NYC? | In my local opinion, the Holiday Market at Union Square is the best the city has to offer – as it’s bigger than Bryant Park Winter Village, closer to local areas near Lower Manhattan, and is surrounded by lots of other local shopping stores to stay entertained. Plus, Union Square’s Holiday Market has a lot of the same vendors at the now ever-crowded Bryant Park Winter Village – meaning you can try the same viral Tik Tok concession stand food without the claustrophobia. |
Want to see more of my NYC during Christmas adventures? Watch my New York City holiday vlog below!
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Last updated: November 12, 2025