New York in December is amazing as preparations for the Holiday season begin. With countless things to do, concerts to attend, and events happening throughout the city, one thing is for sure – your trip won’t be boring!
I love December in New York, I was just back in town last year for the Christmas season. Below I have summarized all of my favorite things to do in New York in December. In addition to lots of inspiration, I’ve put together a brand new list of the best December events for you. Enjoy!
It’s the holiday season and NYC in December is a romantic and beautiful time. Snow can potentially blanket the city and gives off this holiday cheer and spirit. The winter markets are open, the ice rinks invite you to skate and the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center shines in all its glory. Christmas in New York is ahead of you which is why the city is decorated with Christmas decorations and beautiful Christmas lights.
New York in December lights up the famous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza in light, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience this magical tree. The tree is decorated with 50 LED bulbs and countless Swarovski crystals. This place will definitely get you into the holiday spirit and you can also ice skate here as well. The tree will be up all month. (Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza)
At Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience, you’ll make your way through a winter wonderland and into Santa’s secret speakeasy. Enjoy Christmas-themed cocktails, a live band, and an eye-popping variety show of unique acts, all with a holiday twist!
Make sure to take note of these locations for Winter and Holiday Markets in New York that you can check out while you’re in New York in December. There’s a lot to choose from – my favorite spots are the one in Union Square and the Bryant Park Winter Village Christmas Market.
Recommended: The 12 Best Holiday Markets in NYC
Here you’ll find everything you need for your New York trip: the most important checklists, travel and visa questions, everything you need to know about the boroughs, airport transfers and our money-saving tips. It’ll help you save $100 right away on tickets!
Between Rockefeller Center and Central Park you will find the long-established American luxury department store chain Saks Fifth Avenue. Here the well-stocked purse will find high-priced clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories and cosmetics for women, men and children as well as delicatessen, gifts, home textiles and upscale furnishings.
Recommended: The Best Holiday Window Decorations in NYC
Why not spending time on a Christmas Holiday Cruise during Christmas in New York? Both locals and NYC visitors love the amazing Christmas Cruises New York City has to offer. This Holiday Jazz Cruise aboard a 1920’s style luxury yacht is one of my absolute favorite tours in New York. The ship has a wonderful charm and cannot be compared to the big sightseeing ships. Holiday Jazz Cruise starts at the Chelsea Piers and takes you along the Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty and the harbor of New York. On the way you can enjoy a wonderful view of the New York skyline and smooth jazz at the same time.
My tip: these are the 11 best Holiday cruises in NYC this year!
For many New Yorkers, watching the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a goal. Over 140 sensational dancers perform in the popular Christmas Spectacular. Sparkling costumes, unique set design and a lot of Christmas songs thrill the audience every year. The stars of the show are the female dance group “The Rockettes” and perform next to Santa Claus and his elves.
From November to early January, you can watch the dance performance and Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. There are up to three performances per day, so there should be a time slot for you.
Ice skating in this urban mecca is one of the best things to do in NYC in December. The rinks are fully functional and have been open since October. Bank of America’s Winter Village at Bryant Park (behind the Public Library), the famed Rink at Rockefeller Center and the Woolman in Central Park are just three of New York City’s finest ice rinks.
Recommended: The Best Ice Rinks in NYC
This tour through the Christmas Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge in Brooklyn is one of the most popular and most booked tours at Christmas time in New York. In front of the Row NYC Hotel (45th Street and 8th Avenue) you will be picked up by a bus and drive over one of New York’s bridges to Brooklyn – you will have a wonderful view of the New York skyline. Once in Dyker Heights, you will be guided by a guide through the main streets with the most beautiful Christmas lights.
Macy’s Santaland isn’t the only place you can make a date with Santa Claus: Hudson Yards and Bryant Park are also offering it. Just stop by between December 16 and 22, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. – it’s a free event and no registration is necessary!
Photo by Angelito Jusay
Experience The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic in NYC, nestled by Rockefeller Center. Immerse yourself in a sugary wonderland, embark on a festive scavenger hunt, and create cherished holiday memories. Choose from standard, VIP, or group admission options and celebrate the enchantment of Christmas in the heart of Manhattan!
5th Avenue will be car-free for the very first time. From 49th Street to 57th Street, a street fair will replace traffic. Musicians will perform, there will be various food venues and you can watch performances by Kaufman Music Center and Brooklyn High School of the Arts.
From here, you’ll be right by the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the beautiful Christmas Lights from Saks Fifth Avenue, and Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes (check out more Christmas shows in NYC here). Simply beautiful!
When?
Starting in the middle of November, you can enjoy a spectacular light show at Hudson Yards titled “Shine Bright Only at Hudson Yards”. It’s one of the newest Christmas light displays in New York City. Shine Bright is an indoor-outdoor light and music installation featuring more than 2 million white lights illuminating The Shops, Public Square & Gardens, The Edge and Vessel. Every day at 5 pm, “the moments” invite spectators to get dazzled by a visual spectacle that is synchronized to festive music.
Enjoy a breathtaking view of New York City’s skyline while you show off your skating skills on the newest ice skating rink. Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park will be open from November 15, 2023, to March 1, 2024, offering you an unforgettable winter experience. After you’ve had a blast on the rink right under the Brooklyn Bridge, you can recharge with a hot drink or a snack.
If you want to go ice skating here, you should book your time slot (50 minutes) in advance.
December is for the holidays and how could you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year better than attending one of the Broadway Under the Stars shows at the Shops at Columbus Circle.
Broadway Under The Stars is a five-week series of FREE indoor Broadway performances. 2023 will mark the 9th year of Broadway and the Shops at Columbus Circle teaming up to host Broadway Under The Stars. The performances will take place on the second floor of the Time Warner Center.
The performance dates for 2023 are as follows:
Celebrate the wonderful holiday season with the Santa Fun Cruise in New York City! Soak up the festive atmosphere as kids meet Santa and his hardworking elves and participate in fun activities and creative craft projects. From singing Christmas carols together to assembling your own gingerbread house, there’s plenty of fun for the little ones as the whole family enjoys a cruise through New York Harbor. Have spectacular views along the way and treat yourself and your loved ones to delicious treats as you celebrate the festive season together. Get your tickets for the Santa Fun Cruise with great kids’ activities in NYC!
Dive into the enchanting holiday atmosphere spread throughout the park and embrace the winter wonderland at their inaugural Frost Fest! Prepare for the ultimate winter adventure at Luna Park, NYC’s renowned hub for fun, during their first-ever Frost Fest. Luna Park will transform into an exhilarating winter destination, featuring an ice skating rink, a selection of rides and attractions, festive lights and decorations, opportunities for photos with Santa, a holiday shopping experience, delectable seasonal food options to satisfy both locals and visitors, and much more! Get your tickets here.
You will get to know four different Christmas markets on this walking tour. In a small group, you’ll learn all kinds of interesting facts about the buildings and attractions from a guide and walk past many of the decorated shop windows. The starting point is the information desk under the Holiday Under the Stars display in the stores at Columbus Circle.
If you like to build railroad and train models, this show is for you. The Holiday Train show is definitely worth its money and will be held at the enchanting New York Botanical Garden. The exhibit will showcase 175 New York landmarks. All works of art are built on an 0,5 mile long track and the railways pass the skyscrapers of Midtown. We have already visited two special exhibitions in the NYBG and are always enjoyable. Therefore, we highly recommend this unique exhibition!
Brooklyn is home to many wonderful Christmas light displays, including the illuminated trail known as Lightscape, found at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This after-dark light spectacular features all-new works of art and many returning favorites. At this experience, visitors make their way through the winding trails of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s trails, which are all awash with artistic light designs.
Along the journey, you’ll encounter color effects on BBG trees, water features, monumental lighted sculptures, and more. Lightscape sold out last year, so book your visit on their website early.
For the 27th year, the Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park will be held this year at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center on the Harlem Meer. Carols will be sung on the plaza, Santa Claus will be there, and the highlight will be the lighting of a flotilla of Christmas trees on the Harlem Meer. You’re guaranteed to be among New Yorkers at this Christmas event, which makes it extra special!
When?
Enjoy the best hits and Christmas classics in an unforgettable experience surrounded by soft candlelight at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn.
Hits include:
When?
Under the twinkling lights of a world-renowned marquee, you find the Winter Wonderland presented by Coca-Cola at the Apollo Theater. The event is the perfect way for the family to spend a couple of hours enjoying holiday-themed activities, such as stunning performances from local choirs and photo ops with Santa Claus.
Winter Wonderland marks the start of Apollo’s toy and book drive for kids. So, go out and see the sights, but don’t forget to drop off a DVD, book, or toy for boys and girls from 13 to 18 years old. The event will be hosted on December 9 from 2 PM until 6 PM at 253 W 125th Street, Manhattan.
New York City’s Met Museum also hosts a holiday celebration that’s complete with a breathtaking Christmas Tree display. You’ll find the Met Tree in the Medieval Sculpture Hall. This famed holiday tradition features a blue spruce tree that’s 20 feet tall and adorned with 59 angels, 19 cherubs, and 71 figures that depict an 18th Century Nativity scene reminiscent of Naples.
You can also enjoy a gorgeous Eastern European Silver Menorah, holiday shopping, other exhibits on display, and much more. The exact dates for 2023 are yet to be announced.
Especially in the off-season you can often get great bargains for one of the Broadway shows in New York. We have already seen many of the really worthwhile musicals and can only recommend the experience. Every dollar is well invested – it is guaranteed to be an unforgettable evening!
So check out our Complete Guide to Broadway Shows in NYC
During December in New York, Santa Claus is in town. Make sure to set up a date with Santa to tell him your Christmas wishes. Santa is welcoming his guests at Macy’s at Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan. Make a reservation online to avoid long waiting times.
My tip: Want to experience more of Santa Claus? Then also check out the SantaCon event and Santa Claus at Hudson Yards!
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in New York City. Get your tickets now to discover Holiday themed jazz music at The Williamsburg Hotel under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Rolf’s German Restaurant draws thousands of visitors and locals to its location. Why? It features some of the most over-the-top holiday decorations starting in November.
I am a huge fan of whiskey. If you feel the same way, I have a tip for you: Great Jones Distilling Co. in NoHo! It’s the first distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition and has won several awards. Designed in the style of a speakeasy bar, you can drink their first-class straight bourbon here, either straight or as a cocktail.
The Great Jones Distilling Co. bar also has a restaurant. At The Grid, they serve American cuisine at a high level. My tip: Try the Barrel Smoked Ribs or the Truffle Pasta!
The High Line Park takes you along the old tracks of the elevated railway to the Meatpacking District. Thanks to the initiative “Friends of the High Line” the park exists at all, because originally the construction was supposed to be torn down. And the best thing? They offer free tours!
When?
Where?
This event hosts thousands of people dressed as iconic Christmas characters such as reindeer, gingerbread cookies, and of course, Kris Kringle himself. This boozy crawl features some of New York City’s best bars. But beware because some bars ban folks who are dressed up, so stick with the organizer’s map to have a jolly good time.
SantaCon is undoubtedly one of the most popular (and loathed) Christmas celebrations in NYC. As a bar crawl, it can be lots of fun, but make sure you don’t turn into a bad Santa! The creators want the event to be a fun and safe environment for those involved. However, it is limited to elves 21 years of age and older.
FAO Schwarz is unlike any other toy store and a great destination in NYC this holiday season. Take your kids or just feel like a kid again when you enter the amazing collection of unique toys and life-sized stuffed animals.
FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the United States and with its location right in front of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, it’s something you don’t want to miss this holiday season in New York. Don’t miss the famous clock on the stairs. Also, you can play “The Big Piano” on the floor (known from the movie “Big”).
What the Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony is to Manhattan, the DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is to Brooklyn. For the 17th time, Brooklyn’s most famous Christmas tree will be ceremoniously lit beginning of December 2023.
I love Chelsea Market – it’s a food market and shopping paradise in one. It’s beautifully decorated for Christmas and if you’re looking for something really special, you have to go to the Artists & Flea Market. Here you can buy unique Christmas items from New York artists.
The Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market takes place from Thanksgiving to Christmas under the DUMBO Archway and is perfect for anyone who loves flea markets. It’s one of the most famous in the city and always worth a visit (even I, who doesn’t go to flea markets that often, say that).
Everyone knows the famous illuminated year on the top of Times Square. But few know that you can take photos of it while standing in front of it! Every December at the “Numeral Arrival”, it is placed in Times Square for a few days before it is lifted up to the famous ball that drops on New Year’s Eve. This is a great opportunity for photos!
When?
Basketball fans, this month is for you. The NBA is in its second month. Check out either the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets at either the Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center, respectively.
Take the FREE Staten Island Ferry from the Whitehall terminal, enjoy the breathtaking view of the skyline, and then go shopping at Empire Outlets on Staten Island. There are various brands, shops, and food options.
People from all over the world fly to NYC in December, especially during New Year’s Eve. They come here to experience the popular ball drop live while standing in the frigid December temperatures in the middle of Times Square. Live performances by famous artists are part of the outstanding program in Times Square every year. It’s pretty much a big party.
In order to get a decent spot a view, we recommend arriving no later than 3 PM. Many roads around the event are closed off and condensed foot traffic on the streets is inevitable. Definitely, plan on walking for a good amount of time. Being part of this tradition will be very special.
Photo: Countdown Entertainment, LLC
This Holiday Jazz Cruise aboard a 1920’s style luxury yacht is one of my absolute favorite tours in New York. The ship has a wonderful charm and cannot be compared to the big sightseeing ships. Holiday Jazz Cruise starts at the Chelsea Piers and takes you along the Hudson River to the Statue of Liberty and the harbor of New York. On the way you can enjoy a wonderful view of the New York skyline and smooth jazz at the same time.
Check out the local art scene in the MoMa Ps1 art exhibit, featuring work from 47 local, contemporary artists. This exhibit explores art-making in New York history, the resilience of artists, and the feelings connected with art. You’ll see a huge emphasis on foreign-born artists, their work full of Egyptian, Iranian, Tunisian, Nigerian, Mexican, Argentinian, and Indian influences. There is also an abundance of Native American artists to enjoy.
My tip: Here you find the Best Art Exhibitions in New York City.
The Nutcracker is one of the world’s most famous ballets and enjoys great popularity among visitors and locals. A true holiday tradition!
The Christmas tree on Wall Street looks back on a long tradition: this year it can be seen for the 99th time. Not only is the tree itself festively decorated – the building of the New York Stock Exchange also looks beautiful, as it is illuminated from the outside in Christmas colors.
Photo: AGENZIA SINTESI / Alamy Stock Foto
This New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in NYC offers a limited amount of tickets making sure that the experience is exclusive for those who want to celebrate in style and comfort. Throughout the evening, enjoy a large selection of hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live Jazz music and stunning views of the New York City skyline. The cruise departs from Pier 62.
My tip: These are the Best NYE Cruises in NYC
This is a wonderful tradition that takes place every December in New York: The NYE Wishing Wall in Times Square. What is the NYE Wishing Wall? Write your wishes for the New Year on a piece of paper and drop them in the box provided. In the end, all the notes will become confetti that flutters down at the ball drop just in time for New Year’s Eve.
You are not in New York at this time? Then you can also submit your wishes online!
In Manhattan and Brooklyn, there is a small competition for the world’s largest Hanukkah Menorah. On December 22nd, the Jewish “Festival of Lights” begins and this starts with the lighting of the largest Menorah in the world. The gold, 400-pound, 32-foot steel structure can be admired both in front of the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan and at the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.
The lighting of the Menorah is one of the great events in NYC in December. Music is played and food is offered as well. In Manhattan, the event begins at 5:30 pm, on Fridays at 3:30 pm and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. In Brooklyn, the lights will be on at 6:00 pm, on Friday at 3:30 pm and on Saturday at 7:00 pm.
As you probably already know, one of the best things in New York for me all year round are the rooftops of NYC! Even in winter the season is not over yet, because with radiant heaters, free blankets and warm rooftop lounges you can make yourself comfortable there even in icy temperatures. The great view will warm your heart.
At 230 Fifth near the Flatiron building, you can even sit in a heated igloo while enjoying a breathtaking view of the skyline – how cool is that!
For more tips, check out our article on the best fall & winter rooftop bars in New York.
There will be days when it will be really cold and you don’t really want to be outside. Such days can be wonderfully spent in one of the many museums.
One of our favorite museums is the Museum of National History. Even those who don’t like museums can easily spend a whole day here.
Arguably the most popular sport in the US is about three months into their season. That means the New York Giants and the New York Jets are in action! Which team will you root for?
Imagine the aroma and whimsical fun of walking through the world’s largest gingerbread village. What if we told you that one actually exists in New York City? If you’re planning on spending Christmas in NYC, then be sure to head over to Manhattan’s Chelsea Market and check out the amazing and delicious creation brought to you by “The Gingerbread Man” Jon Lovitch.
The New York Transit museum focuses on the history and the development of public transportation in NYC. The museum covers and explores everything from the construction of the subway lines to the history of the bus systems in the city. It’s one of the oldest public transportation systems in the world. Here, visitors will get to explore the different train models that the city used and is a great experience for families with kids. Of course, there are great photo opportunities as well.
Come celebrate the last night of the year aboard the largest luxury yacht on Manhattan waters and sail along the NYC harbor! Welcome 2023 in style aboard the Infinity, where you’ll get to explore all the fun that’s available across 4 decks as you sip on drinks from the open bar or have a bite from the delicious food options available. Take some pictures with breathtaking views of the NYC skyline as your backdrop and create timeless memories with friends and family. Dance ’til you drop with the latest and greatest hits spun by a live DJ and 2 indoor dance floors to get your groove on. Get your tickets for this New York New Year’s Eve Fireworks Party Cruise in NYC!
Dive into my curated list of the best NYC events in December, from timeless traditions to contemporary celebrations, ensuring your holiday season is truly unforgettable. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these events promise to add a dash of magic to your December in New York.