Chistmas in New York City (NYC)

Holidays in NYC

The holiday season in New York City is getting into full swing. “Magical” is the only way to describe the ambience as eager kids and grown-ups celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, the winter solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and more in NYC, transforming the City into a veritable wonderland of stunning window displays, enchanting train shows, mesmerizing tree lightings and heartwarming concerts. And, of course, there’s the shopping. From holiday markets to luxurious Fifth Avenue department stores to downtown boutiques for the fashion savvy, there is truly no other place in the world that answers to all of your gift-buying needs. Meanwhile, the Rockettes kick their legs at Radio City Music Hall, youngsters sport marshmallow moustaches from all the hot cocoa, and families and friends cling to one another on ice-skating rinks. Explore the shops, treats and other things to delight in to figure out how you’ll spend the most wonderful time of the year.

The holiday season is a magical time in New York City. Across the five boroughs, ice-skating, tree lightings and classic events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular provide an endless supply of festive offerings that last through the New Year. Bundle up and venture out into the joy-filled streets to peruse one-of-a-kind wares at the Union Square Holiday Market, take in celebrity performances at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting and revel in seasonal festivities at Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square. If you’d rather duck out of the cold, the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show proves a breathtaking retreat yehttp://admatravel.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpar after year, while performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker bring a timeless holiday tale to life. View the full slideshow for more information on these and many other events. And for additional ideas, visit our weekly “Free in NYC” and “Top Five Events” features; check out our concert, fashion, art, nightlife and sports listings; see our roundup of annual events; and search for an event in our calendar.

Ice-Skating

Celebrate the season with the City’s holiday happenings, including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting and the New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop.
Ice-skating is synonymous with winter in New York City, though many of the City’s rinks actually open in early fall—including Citi Pond at Bryant Park and The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center—and others, such as Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, City Ice Pavilion and Aviator Sports & Events Center, are available year-round. The holiday season is pretty much peak time for skating, but it’s worth the wait just to whoosh around the ice in the open-air chill. (For more information, read our feature “New York Skate of Mind.”)

The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop

October 20–January 6, 2013
The Grinch and his holiday workshop arrive at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan in an interactive exhibition inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Kids will enjoy seeing scenes from the book covering gallery walls, participating in a scavenger hunt, playing in a real-life sleigh and taking part in other ongoing Seuss-related holiday programming.

The Grinch and his holiday workshop arrive at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan in an interactive exhibition inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Kids will enjoy seeing scenes from the book covering gallery walls, participating in a scavenger hunt, playing in a real-life sleigh and taking part in other ongoing Seuss-related holiday programming. For more information and the complete schedule of family programming, visit cmom.org.

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

October 26–January 6, 2013
Satisfy those on your shopping list and get into the spirit of the season with a trip to The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. More than 120 merchants fill the park through early January selling clothing, jewelry, household items, crafts, art and more. Plus, indulge in some warm and gooey treats from the vendors and go ice-skating at Citi Pond (free for guests who bring their own skates!). Satisfy those on your shopping list and get into the spirit of the season with a trip to The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. More than 120 merchants fill the park through early January selling clothing, jewelry, household items, crafts, art and more. Plus, indulge in some warm and gooey treats from the vendors and go ice-skating at Citi Pond (free for guests who bring their own skates!).

Bryant Park

Manhattan, NY 10018

phone: 866-221-5157 | fax: 212-661-8840
website:http://theholidayshopsatbryantpark.com
get directions

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

November 9–December 30
This iconic song-and-dance extravaganza, featuring the legendary Rockettes, is one of the holiday season’s must-see attractions. Celebrating 85 years of the Rockettes, this year’s show combines such classic scenes as “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “New York at Christmas” with all-new numbers and cutting-edge digital projection and digital mapping technology, which transforms Radio City Music Hall’s interior into a giant canvas.

This iconic song-and-dance extravaganza, featuring the legendary Rockettes, is one of the holiday season’s must-see attractions. Celebrating 85 years of the Rockettes, this year’s show combines such classic scenes as “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” and “New York at Christmas” with all-new numbers and cutting-edge digital projection and digital mapping technology, which transforms Radio City Music Hall’s interior into a giant canvas.

Radio City Music Hall

1260 Sixth Ave
Manhattan, NY 10020

phone: 212-870-5570|
get directions

Union Square Holiday Market

November 16–December 24
More than 100 red-and-white booths will fill Union Square Park for its 19th-annual holiday market. You’ll find plenty of affordable quality items, so your wallet will thank you—and friends and family on your list will, too.

Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal

November 16–February 10, 2013
The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store at Grand Central Terminal is back with its annual Holiday Train Show, whose new layout features Lionel trains traveling through a two-level, 34-foot-long miniature New York City and countryside scene. Vintage trains from the museum’s collection, including New York Central models, and posters from the 1920s through the ’40s will also be on display.

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

November 17–January 13, 2013
The Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden features painstakingly crafted miniatures of New York City’s built environment, all made entirely out of plant parts. Seeds, bark, leaves and twigs are among the botanical resources employed to create the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and other landmarks. Model trains navigate the familiar, fantastically rendered New York landscape.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

November 28
Rockefeller Center’s celebrated tree lighting, a holiday-season staple, takes place on November 28. The colorful and towering tree is a sight to behold, and the lighting ceremony always features celebrity guests, musical performances and more. The tree can be seen from the ice-skating rink below and is a must-visit for anyone in NYC during the holidays. It remains on view until 11pm on January 7, 2013.

Times Square Ball Drop

December 31
Celebrate the arrival of 2013 with the annual Times Square Ball Drop. Nothing compares with the exhilaration of watching the fete from the streets, plus you can catch music performances and other activities throughout the night. With all the revelry, it’s best to get there as early as possible in the day; street closures begin midafternoon and the choicest spots are usually filled by 3pm or earlier. For more information on spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square, read our guide.