Christmas In New York: A Magical Journey

Spending Christmas in New York is a magical and unforgettable experience. The city that never sleeps is adorned with beautiful lights, gigantic Christmas trees, and ice-skating rinks amidst the skyscrapers during the holiday season.

When do the festivities start?

In the United States, the Christmas season traditionally begins right after Thanksgiving, which occurs on the fourth Thursday in November.

The Saturday following Thanksgiving, Santa Claus makes his entrance in New York during a spectacular parade that kicks off the Christmas shopping season.

Throughout the month of December, New York is adorned with lights, animated window displays, Christmas trees, and Santas on every street corner...

What are the must-visit places for celebrations?

The most quintessential place in New York during the holiday season is the Rockefeller Center. Here, crowds gather to marvel at the famous giant Christmas tree that towers over the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink. The tree, sparkling with thousands of lights, is a must-see free spectacle!

Note: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a Norway spruce measuring between 75 and 90 feet tall! This tree, which has become a symbol of the city during the Christmas period, was first installed in 1931.

Another highly original Christmas tree, the Origami Tree, can be found at the American Museum of Natural History. It is decorated differently every year.

Spending Christmas in New York is also the perfect opportunity for shopping. The most beautiful store windows can be found on Fifth Avenue. Be sure to visit the Disney Store or Tiffany's as well as Macy's on Broadway or Toys'R'Us in Times Square.

Times Square is where most New Yorkers come together on New Year's Eve to celebrate the new year together. A highlight of the holiday season in the Big Apple is the crystal ball drop or Ball Drop and the countdown to midnight on Times Square.

What are the Christmas traditions in New York?

As you might have guessed, Christmas trees are a tradition in New York as in all of the United States. American children hang Christmas stockings on their fireplace to find them filled with candies and small toys on the morning of December 25th.

If you spend Christmas in New York, you will undoubtedly hear the famous Christmas carols echoing through the streets, including the well-known "Jingle Bells". During the holiday season, many Americans exchange Christmas cards and greeting cards.

Regarding culinary traditions, Turkey is the traditional dish featured for the Christmas dinner on December 25th, but also for Thanksgiving. Another quintessential tradition in the United States is Eggnog, traditionally served as a sign of welcome to all guests.

What to do in New York during the holidays?

The must-see events in New York during the holidays this year include:

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
November 17 - January 1, Midtown Manhattan
The stage of Radio City Music Hall presents this traditional show, beloved by audiences during the holiday season. Having been on the bill for nearly a century, this musical spectacle is suitable for all ages, featuring incredible costumes, festive songs, beautiful choreography, and several shows per day.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet
November 24 - December 31, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Experience the enchanting world of George Balanchine's Nutcracker at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This ballet, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic music, will dazzle you in this annual performance.

'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil at the MSG Theater
December 7-28, Midtown Manhattan
The first-ever Cirque du Soleil holiday season production is a family-friendly wonder to behold. If the audience loves it, this show might become a new New York tradition.

The Magic Flute Holiday Presentation at the Met Opera
December 8-30, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Celebrate the holiday season at the Met Opera with an abridged English adaptation of Mozart's magical fairy tale opera, The Magic Flute. This show is perfect for all audiences, with captivating narration and delightful melodies. Conducted by Patrick Furrer and Gareth Morrell, the performers invite you to an unforgettable experience.

Holiday Programming at the Apollo Theater
December 9-30, Harlem, Manhattan
This holiday season, the famous Apollo Theater schedules several events to welcome residents and visitors alike.

Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden
November 17 - January 15, Bedford Park, The Bronx
For over thirty years, visitors to the renowned Holiday Train Show have been captivated by miniature trains. These charming creations race through a magical recreation of the city, featuring over 190 replicas of NYC's iconic landmarks.

Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Met Fifth Avenue
November 21 - January 7, Upper East Side, Manhattan
The Christmas tree and Neapolitan Baroque crèche at the Met are a must-see New York City tradition. Come admire a beautifully decorated fir tree with a nativity scene encircling its base. The crèche consists of 18th-century Neapolitan figures generously donated in 1964 by American artist and collector Loretta Hines Howard.

A Christmas Carol: The Manuscript at the Morgan Library & Museum
November 21 - January 7, Murray Hill, Manhattan
Each year during the holidays, the J. Pierpont Morgan Library displays the original manuscript of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Bound in red goatskin, this manuscript was gifted to Dickens's lawyer, Thomas Mitton, before coming into Pierpont Morgan's possession in the 1890s. This year, the manuscript is displayed on page 7.

You can also admire illuminations at various iconic sites in the Big Apple:

NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Illuminate the Farm at Queens County Farm Museum
November 17 - January 7, Glen Oaks, Queens
Step into the whimsical world of the NYC Lantern Festival and its 3 acres of light displays. This astonishing collection of handcrafted lanterns creates an unforgettable immersive experience, with a dazzling exhibition of lights and Chinese lanterns, all handmade by artisans.

Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
November 17 - January 1, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
The Lightscape illumination takes place at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for the holiday season with a large illuminated trail, artworks, and new immersive experiences. Dozens of light sculptures and over a million lights create a winter landscape to explore while listening to specially composed music.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
November 17 - January 7, Bronx Park, The Bronx
With over 390 lanterns representing nearly 100 animal and plant species, this family-friendly festival celebrates wildlife. During the holiday season and in the evenings, the park comes alive with immersive light displays, animal-shaped lanterns, and sparkling scenes. This tradition is enhanced with seasonal treats, traditional Christmas music, the Holiday Train, and other festive entertainments.