What’s not to love about New York City at Christmas time (well, apart from the cold, maybe)? I’ve lived in NYC for almost 20 years and the holidays are my favorite time of the year.
And one of the things I love most about this time of year is all the New York Christmas events. Don’t miss out!
I’ve compiled all my favorites into this comprehensive New York Christmas event guide:
Want to save this NYC Christmas event list as an easy reference for your trip planning? Pin It.
1. Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade
While the parade is for Thanksgiving – not Christmas – it officially kicks off the Christmas season in New York City.
The parade is filled with marching bands, floats, and enormous character balloons (some are as high as a 5-story building!).
But it always ends with Santa driving his sleigh down the streets of New York! This signals the official beginning of the Christmas season in New York City.
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The parade is held on Thanksgiving Day from 8:30am – 12:00 noon. Some people get there as early as 6:00am to get a good spot.
Where: The Parade Route
The entire route is 2.5 miles.
The parade starts at West 77th Street & Central Park West (there’s no viewing there) and proceeds down Central Park West. There’s good viewing on Central Park West between West 75th to West 61st Streets. There is no public viewing on Central Park West between West 59th & West 60th Streets.
The parade turns at Columbus Circle. There’s no public viewing there either.
The parade heads along Central Park South for two blocks before turning south into Sixth Avenue. There are great views from West 59th to West 38th Streets.
It then turns right to Herald Square and Macy’s main store. There’s no public viewing there.
Avoid watching on 6th Avenue between West 34th & West 38th Streets & on West 34th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues. The national television broadcast limits viewing here.
❗ Local tip: Most people don’t know, but you can watch the balloons being inflated the day before the parade.
Where can you see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons inflated?
The viewing area is at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and West 72nd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The viewing path winds around the American Museum of Natural History, between West 77th and West 81st Streets. Enter the security checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue.
How much does it cost to see the balloons inflated?
The event is free and no tickets are required. Crowds are thinner earlier in the day.
When are the balloons inflated?
Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving from 1:00 – 6:00pm.
2. Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Rockettes perform precision dancing in this NYC Christmas classic.
There are classic scenes that are in the show every year such as the wooden soldier fall, in which the line of dancers fall like dominoes in slow motion; live camels, sheep and a donkey to re-enact the nativity, a double-decker NYC bus covered in dancing Rockettes, modern projections and movies, and, of course, Santa.
Kids (and kids-at-heart) will love it.
Times: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular runs from November 11, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
There are up to five shows a day: 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm OR 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm, 7:00pm, 10:00pm depending on the day. The show is 90 minutes with no intermission. Ticket prices range from $65 to $596+depending on the day, session and seat.
➡️ BOOK TICKETS FOR THE RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR HERE 💥💥
Location: Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets
3. The Nutcracker
The New York City Ballet performs the classic The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center every year. It is a spectacle with over 90 dancers and a huge Christmas tree that grows from a height of 12 feet (3.5 m) to 40 feet (12 m) – quite a sight!
Times: The Nutcracker runs from November 29, 2024 to January 4, 2025. Performances are (mostly) Tuesday – Sunday evenings with matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (this varies slightly, so check with their box office for exact dates and times).
Ticket prices start at $125.
Location: David H Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, 70 West 63rd Street (between Columbus Ave and Broadway)
4. Dyker Heights Christmas lights
The Christmas lights of Dyker Heights are increasingly famous and a definite must do when you visit NYC at Christmas.
Dyker Heights is a neighborhood in Brooklyn in which many of the residents try to outdo each other with over-the-top Christmas decorations. This includes lights, inflatables, statues and more.
When to see the Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights
The decorations are typically up from Thanksgiving until the end of the year and usually lit between around 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Keep in mind these are people’s homes and this is a suburban neighborhood, so times vary between homes, and people come home from work, eat dinner, watch TV, and don’t like people walking in their yards!
Where to see the Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights
The main area of crazy decorations is from 11th to 13th Avenues, and from 83rd to 86th Street. Note: 13th Avenue is also called Dyker Heights Blvd.
How to get to the Dyker Heights Christmas lights
There are several ways to get to Dyker Heights: bus (confusing), drive (traffic jams), subway and a tour.
How to Get to the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Display by Subway
- Take the D train toward Coney Island and get off at 79th Street station in Brooklyn
- Exit near the intersection of 79th Street and New Utrecht Avenue
- Go northwest on 79th Street towards 16th Avenue
- Turn left onto Dyker Heights Blvd. (13th Avenue).
Tours to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
By far the easiest way is to take a tour. There are few options:
➡️ Take a bus tour from Manhattan to Dyker Heights with a guide. Meets at a standard pickup place. This is your basic option with ease of getting from Manhattan to Brooklyn. BOOK IT HERE
➡️ Take a private tour with a guide with pickup/ dropoff at your hotel. This is your most comfortable and easiest option. BOOK IT HERE
➡️ Take a walking tour of Dyker Heights (meets in Dyker Heights). Take the subway there but have a guide to show you around. This is the most economical option. BOOK IT HERE
Book the Dyker Heights small group tour right here:
5. Lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
This is the most famous Christmas tree in New York City. It is a real tree, donated by someone in the local area, on display at Rockefeller Plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The enormous tree is covered in colorful lights and topped with an enormous crystal star.
When does the Christmas tree go up in NYC?
The tree is usually erected mid-November, but isn’t lit until after Thanksgiving.
When is the Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony?
The tree is lit at a ceremony that’s broadcast on TV, but you can attend in person. There’s a concert of carols performed by celebrities, and live coverage of the concert and the tree lighting.
The Rockefeller Tree lighting ceremony is held on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year. So, it’ll be on Wednesday, December 3 in 2025 and Wednesday, December 2 in 2026.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony is held and broadcast live on TV on from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
When can you see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree?
After the tree lighting ceremony, the tree is lit from 6:00am to midnight daily and 24 hours on Christmas Day and 6:00am – 9:00pm on Christmas Eve. It was up until January 11, 2025.
How tall is the Rockefeller Center tree?
The tallest was 94 feet (28.65 m) in 2016. The 2024 tree is 74 feet.
What happens to the tree after the holidays?
The tree is donated to a charity, such as Habits for Humanity where it can be used to build homes.
There is ice-skating at the foot of the tree in Rockefeller Plaza, and the lights and music show on the façade of Saks Fifth Avenue opposite, so you can come back and visit this at nighttime as well.
How to Get There
Take the B-D-F-M subway train to 47-50 Streets/ Rockefeller Center.
6. Winter Village at Bryant Park
In winter Bryant Park turns into a holiday wonderland called Bank of America Winter Village. I’m going to call this an event, though it lasts the whole holiday season.
There is a great ice-skating rink, a large holiday market, and a pop-up bar where you can stop for a hot chocolate with marshmallows, or something stronger to fortify yourself against the cold. They also have igloos and a Curling Cafe as well as bumper cars on ice!
It’s opens until early March 2, 2025.
Bryant Park Holiday Market
The Bryant Park holiday shops (Bank of America Winter Village) are usually open late October to early January (they are open October 25, 2024 until January 5, 2025).
This is one of the largest holiday markets in New York City. There are almost 200 stalls selling artisanal foods, Brooklyn crafts, handmade clothing and jewelry and more.
⚠️ This is outside, so dress warmly.
The Lodge Bar and Food Hall
Located right next to the Christmas Tree, there’s a food hall with a large bar and several stalls selling food. There are also stands just outside (at the west end of the lodge) selling food.
❗ LOCAL TIP: The line for hot chocolate inside is often much shorter than the line outside near the tree.
Cozy Igloos
Rent your own cozy igloo and enjoy seasonal refreshments. They can accommodate up to 8 people. There are 90-minute sessions. Packages start at $242.69 (including taxes and fees).
Get more information and make reservations here.
Curling and Cafe
Another igloo option is the Curling Cafe. Try your hand at (iceless) curling and enjoy seasonal refreshments. The 90-minute sessions include your own dedicated curling lane, so you can play in between eating and drinking.
There are small package (1-4 guests) and large packages (5-8 guest). Packages include:
❄️ Carafe of hot chocolate or hot apple cider
❄️ Crispy French fries
❄️ Chicken tenders or sliders or cheese board or mac & cheese
❄️ Additional food and beverage options are available a la carte
Find more information and make reservations here
Bryant Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the people watching. The beautiful beaux art New York Public Library building makes the perfect backdrop for the Bryant Park tree and all the festive fun.
Ice Skating Rink
The rink at Bryant Park is fairly large and is completely surrounded by towering skyscrapers, which is very cool. There is a large Christmas tree, a nearby fountain that is sometimes frozen, and holiday shops in the build up to Christmas.
The rink is open October 26, 2024 – March 2, 2025:
⛸️ Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 10:00pm
⛸️ Select weekends (Friday – Sunday) + holidays: 8:00am – midnight (4:00pm NYE)
The best part? It is absolutely FREE – with your own skates. Skate rental is expensive at $20.32 – $57.57+ depending on the date. Check out the full fee schedule and make a reservation here.
You need to reserve a spot (most sessions are 50 minutes). If you have your own skates, “Own Skates” reservations roll out daily for dates one week out through the season.
There are some lockers available and locks for sale (you can bring your own).
❗ LOCAL TIP: There’s a very nice public restroom near the north east corner of Bryant Park that often makes a very useful stop.
Location of Bryant Park: 6th Avenue between 4
7. Union Square Holiday Market
There are several holiday markets in New York, but the Union Square Holiday Market is the largest and best one. And my personal favorite.
It’s open mid-November (November 14, 2024) to December 24 every day except Thanksgiving. There are well over 100 stalls selling a range of crafts, Christmas ornaments, jewelry and more.
There are plenty of handmade goods that make great souvenirs of your trip to New York, as well as great gifts. Allow at least a couple of hours to wander slowly through all of the stalls. It gets crowded.
Hours:
⌚ Monday – Friday 11:00am-8:00pm
⌚ Saturday – Sunday 10:00am-8:00pm
⌚ Closed Thanksgiving (and closes at 4:00pm Christmas Eve)
Location: South end of Union Square
➡️ Find more Christmas markets in my guide to The Best New York Holiday Markets
8. The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens
The New York Botanical Gardens hosts an annual Holiday Train Show in the conservatory/ greenhouse.
It is huge display of more than 175 New York landmarks made out of natural materials like bark and leaves, with model trains running around and through it. Landmarks featured include the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center.
When is the Holiday Train Show
The Holiday Train Show is open November 16, 2024 – January 20, 2025.
Hours of the Holiday Train Show
General hours (timed entry needed to visit): 10:00am – 6:00pm: Tuesday to Sunday
Holiday Train Nights
There are special evening hours with festive food and drinks available for the following dates:
Adults 21+: November 23, 29, 30; December 7, 13, 14, 28; January 4, 11, & 18
All Ages: December 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, & 27
Hours:
1 hour 30 minute sessions starting 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm (varies depending on the day)
Closed: November 23 (Thanksgiving) and December 25 (Christmas).
Advance purchase of timed entry tickets is strongly recommended as tickets do sell out.
Price of the Holiday Train Show
Gardens and Train Show pricing 2024-25
Adults: $39 (Peak Timed Entry) | $35 Off Peak Timed Entry
Seniors and students: $35 (Peak and Off Peak)
Children 2-12 years: $27 (Peak Timed Entry) | $25 Off Peak Timed Entry
Flex ticket: allows you to arrive at any time before 4:30 p.m. on your selected date without reserving a specific 15-minute time slot. Even if timed-entry tickets are sold out, your entry is guaranteed. $10 extra per person (adult or child).
Holiday Train Nights pricing
Adults: $42-$52
Children: $32
Seniors/ Students: $46
Location of the Holiday Train Show and how to get there
2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx. If you have a car, get off the Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road (Exit 7W). Enter the gardens through Main Entrance at 2900 Southern Boulevard for onsite parking. Offsite parking is also available at NYBG’s Parking Garage (401 Bedford Park Boulevard).
However, taking the subway or Metro North train from Grand Central Terminal is easier. Find complete directions here.
10. Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve in Times Square
The holiday season kicks off with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and ends with the ball drop in Times Square in New Year’s Eve.
I have to confess that although I’ve lived in NYC for almost 20 years, I’ve never done this. It’s so cold! But many people do and seem to love it.
The celebration starts just before 6 p.m. with a performance of the national anthem, followed by the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve ball.
Performers provide entertainment on the stage set up in Times Square rom then to shortly after the ball drop at midnight.
At midnight, New York City brings in the New Year with the famous ball drop. The New Year’s Eve ball weighs more than 11,000 pounds and is covered with more than 2,600 crystal triangles and over 32,000 lights. It will fall alongside 3,000 pounds of confetti that will rain down on the crowd.
What to Know
The NYPD start closing off an area from 39th to 57th streets between Fifth and Ninth Avenues at 4 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.
You can enter the designated viewing areas starting at 3:00 p.m. through openings where 49th, 52nd and 56th Street intersect with Sixth and Eighth Avenues. It’s cold – dress very warmly – you’ll be there a long time.
All attendees have to go through security. Once you enter, you should stay there – no one is allowed to re-enter if they leave a viewing area. And there are no restrooms (another reason I don’t go)!
Subways run nonstop but the N, Q and R lines will skip the 49th Street stop and the uptown 1 train will skip 50th Street.
⚠️ Note that you can’t bring backpacks, chairs, coolers, large bags or alcohol or umbrellas.
If you liked this list of the major holiday events in NYC during Christmas , Pin It to your Holiday Board or New York City Board!
More Planning Resources for Christmas in New York
📃 Ultimate Guide to Christmas in NYC
🎄 New York City Christmas Tree Guide
🚶♂️ Ultimate New York Christmas Walking Tour
🏮 New York City Christmas Lights: Where to Find them
⛸️ Ice Skating in New York Guide
🛍️ The Best New York Holiday Markets
🎅 The 10 Best Things to Do in New York City at Christmas
🏨 Best Hotels In New York City At Christmas
🎫 The Best NYC Christmas Tours
‼️ Tips for Visiting New York City at Christmas Time
🎁 Gift Guide of great New York City experiences
About the author
James Ian has traveled to 83 countries and all 7 continents. He is passionate about experiential travel, i.e. meaningful travel that actively engages with the environment and culture. He helps people have similar experiences that involve active participation in activities and festivals; engaging with the local food and handicrafts through lessons and food tours; and interacting positively with environment by hiking, riding, rowing, diving and low/no impact animal encounters.
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