Christmas Time in New York City — Break From The Routine

Upper East Side Brownstone decorated Ralph Lauren Christmas Decor in New York City

When I was younger, we would eagerly pile onto a bus at 5am and begin our long journey from Massachusetts to New York City. This was a special trip together every holiday season. Most of the time, we just stayed around the bright lights of Times Square and walked around to the popular tourist kid stores like FAO Schwarz, the iconic 4-floor Forever 21 (back when that was still considered really cool), and the M&M store. Between all of my friends and I, our parents simply didn’t have the energy to manage a large group of kids navigating the complicated subway system, so we could only explore places within easy walking distance. Little did I know back then that New York City is so much more vibrant and diverse beyond the confines of Times Square. December in New York truly is the most magical and enchanting time of year. And I thought all of that magic was just limited to being in Times Square itself.

If you want the entire holiday New York adventure and are willing to leave the crowded stops keep reading. You can see how the true New York City does Christmas. After spending 4 wonderful years living here, I have carefully compiled a list of all my favorite things to do!

A holiday show: christmas spectacular starring the radio city Rockettes

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes is one of those bucket-list NYC holiday experiences. From the high-kick precision to the jaw-dropping stage effects and live animals in the nativity scene, it’s festive magic from start to finish.

Book your tickets as early as possible, especially for weekend show since they sell out fast.
If you want the best view without splurging on front-row prices, aim for Orchestra 3–5 or the first few rows of the Mezzanine. You’ll see every kick perfectly.
Matinee shows are usually less crowded and often a little more relaxed for families.
Arrive at least 30–45 minutes early to get through security smoothly and take photos inside the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

Link for tickets!

ROCKEFELLER CENTER

No holiday visit to NYC is complete without seeing the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. The massive, sparkling tree is a sight to behold, and skating on the rink below it is an unforgettable experience. The tree lighting ceremony is usually the end of November beginning of December and stays up until January.

Go early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the biggest crowds.

Lastly more as a fun fact- the Rockefeller tree is not on all night, except for one specific day. It is lit from 5am to midnight daily, but turns off at 9pm on New Year's Eve. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the tree stays lit for 24 hours.

Bryant Park Winter Village & Holiday Market

Address: Between 40th & 42nd Streets, between 5th & 6th Avenues New York, NY 10018 (Closest subway: 42 St–Bryant Park)

The Bryant Park Winter Village and Holiday Market is one of the most festive and beloved Christmas experiences in New York City. Located right behind the New York Public Library, this European-style Christmas market features over 170 holiday shops, selling everything from handmade gifts and ornaments to cozy winter accessories and gourmet treats. The centerpiece is the free-admission ice skating rink, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive music, making it feel like a real-life snow globe in the heart of Manhattan.

There is also plenty of food and treats to try like hot chocolate, mulled wine, churros, gingerbread, raclette sandwiches- the list goes on!

WALKING ALONG FIFTH AVE

Stores like Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman along Fifth Ave go all out with elaborate window displays that are almost like art installations that go off every 15 minutes.

Now if you do want to go out and spend your money on gifts, Fifth Ave is the place to be! So many retailers have their flagship stores located there so you are bound to find what you are looking for.

Ice Skating in NYC During Christmas

From gliding beneath the glittering Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to skating inside the festive Bryant Park Winter Village or surrounded by snowy scenery at Wollman Rink in Central Park, each rink offers its own magical holiday atmosphere.

Both are different- Rockefeller Center is classic and picturesque but can get crowded while Central Park Wollman Rink: Perfect for a scenic skate with the city skyline in the background and is a bigger rink in comparison to Rockefeller Center.

Book your time slot in advance, especially for evening skate sessions in December—they fill up quickly. If you are a NYC resident, you can get tickets for Wollman Rink through the library card Culture Pass. Just have to bring your own skates.

Ice Skating underneath the Rockefeller Tree during Christmas

Christmas On The Upper East Side

While many tourists explore Rockefeller Center to see the famous tree, Radio City and other popular attractions nearby, I highly recommend dedicating some time to the Upper East Side. This Manhattan neighborhood offers a wonderful alternative for leisurely appreciating beautiful holiday decorations at your own pace. Lots of townhouses in the neighborhood that are decorated with lights, garland and wreaths. Some of these townhouses go above and above but the decorating does bring Christmas joy to the neighborhood.

See below some of my favorite brownstones decorated for Christmas each year.

76th between Madison and Fifth

75th between Madison and Fifth

76th between Madison and Fifth

80th Between Lexington and Park

76th between Madison and Fifth

82nd between Second and Third

Visiting The Met During Christmas in NYC

Visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art during Christmas in New York City is one of the most magical and underrated holiday experiences. Each year, The Met displays its famous Naples Baroque Christmas Tree, beautifully decorated with handcrafted 18th-century angels, cherubs, and intricate ornaments. The tree is traditionally placed in the Medieval Sculpture Hall, creating a peaceful, glowing contrast to the busy holiday streets outside.

Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest experience and the best natural lighting for photos. The Met is also one of the best budget-friendly Christmas activities in NYC, since New York residents can still take advantage of pay-what-you-wish admission.

Stroll Through Central Park

Central Park is a pocket of peace throughout the hustle and bustle of New York City. While here just for a short moment you forget you are in a concrete jungle and not somewhere in the country. Due to it 840 acres of land, it is hard to digest Central Park in one visit. My favorite areas are Bow Bridge and Bethesda Fountain (to be honest mainly because 27 Dresses was filmed in this area), Conservatory Garden (enter on the East Side between 104th and 106th street) and the area near the Gapstow Bridge.

Visit Luxurious NYC Hotels at Christmas

Even if you’re not staying overnight, visiting New York City’s most luxurious hotels during Christmas is an experience in itself. These iconic spaces go all out with grand holiday décor, twinkling trees, elegant garlands, and over-the-top festive installations that feel straight out of a movie. Stop by The Beekman for dramatic old-world holiday glamour under its stunning nine-story atrium, admire the Upper East Side elegance at The Mark and The Carlyle, and don’t miss the legendary Christmas tree and gold-trimmed décor at Lotte New York Palace, located right across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. These hotels are perfect for festive photos, cocktail stops, or just soaking in luxurious holiday magic.

The Beekman Hotel
123 Nassau Street, New York, NY 10038

The Mark Hotel
25 East 77th Street, New York, NY 10075

The Carlyle Hotel
35 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021

Lotte New York Palace
455 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022

The Mark Hotel Decorated for Christmas on the Upper East Side in NYC

The Beekman Hotel decorated for Christmas in New York City

DYKER HEIGHTS

Dyker Heights at Christmas is one of the most over-the-top, magical holiday experiences in all of NYC. What started as a neighborhood tradition has become a full-blown Christmas spectacle, with entire blocks covered in life-size nutcrackers, glowing Santas, dancing reindeer, massive inflatables, and thousands of twinkling lights synced to holiday music. It feels like walking through a real-life Christmas movie. Go after dark for the full effect, bundle up, and be ready to stop every five seconds for photos—it’s that magical.