Christmas in New York: Things to Do, What to Pack & More!
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Activities

Things to Do on Christmas in New York

Visit the One World Observatory, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York City Ballet, Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show, Dyker Heights Holiday Lights and Many more.

New York city sparkles and smells of an earthy pine scent from the Christmas trees while the important landmarks turn into winter getaways and the streets bustle with locals and visitors. Christmas in New York is a magical experience and the festive season makes it the best time to visit the city. From the gorgeous ice rinks, glittering holiday lights on the streets and Winter Wonderland to historic Ballet shows, there are a plethora of things to do in Christmas in New York.

New York during Christmas offers a multitude of festive events, activities and experiences that make your Christmas celebrations even better. If you wish to witness the vivid Christmas lights around New York, visit Dyker Heights, Saks Fifth Avenue and Lightscape in Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Rockefeller Center is a must-visit place where you can see the iconic Christmas tree decorated in thousands of lights and embellishments. You can never miss ice skating as it is a seasonal tradition that instigates the Christmas feel in New York City. Shopping for Christmas gifts and goodies in the holiday markets and munching on sweet treats are other exciting things to do in New York during Christmas.
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Essential Information

01

About the Weather on Christmas in New York

  • New York is located on the east coast of the United States and hence experiences a continental weather during winter in December.
  • The temperatures drop and the climate gets freezing cold with the average temperature being 43oF (6oC) at daytime and 32oF (-1oC) at night.
  • But if you are looking forward to a snowy Christmas in New York, it is expected to snows only two days in December on average,
  • December is also the windiest month of the year and experiences rains for about eight days in the month.
02

Why Visit New York on Christmas?

  • To visit New York, Christmas is an amazing time as the city is perfectly made for winter holidays and dynamic Christmas celebrations.
  • Turns into a magical place and the streets brim, New York in Christmas is filled with amazing sights of Christmas trees, shimmering lights, glittery display of ornaments and performances.
  • Enjoy all the timeless traditions and long-standing experiences like ice skating in Central Park, Rockefeller Center Christmas Lighting, Bronx Zoo Winter Wonderland and Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show.
  • Explore the holiday markets, seasonal goodies and delightful delicacies add to the festive aura of New York city.
03

What to Pack For Christmas in New York?

  • In the winter, make sure to bring a jacket or medium-to-heavy coat, such as a peacoat or a puffy coat.
  • In case of chilly weather, bring an extra layer of clothing, such as a knitted sweater.
  • Be prepared for cold weather by packing multiple long-sleeved shirts.
  • To keep your neck warm in cold weather, carry a lightweight scarf or shawl.
  • It is advisable to cover your ears and with gloves and cap all the time. 
  • Wear comfortable warm shoes for sightseeing since you'll be doing a lot of walking.

What to Do on Christmas in New York?

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$ 45 $ 36 per Adult

About the Empire State Building:

Visit the Empire State Building, an iconic skyscraper and a symbol of American ingenuity and resilience, located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Rising over 1,400 feet, it offers breathtaking views of New York from its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors. The Empire State Building has several exhibit installations offering insights about the building's history. With its stunning Art Deco design and rich history, it remains a must-visit landmark for tourists and an important element of New York’s skyline.

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€ 63 € 62 per Adult

Activity Location: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States

Activity Starting Time: 11:00 AM

  • Closed: Wednesday

Activity Duration: 3 Hours

About Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York:

Step into a world where priceless art pieces are on display at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Admire 5,000 years of human creativity through captivating art collections from around the globe. Marvel at European masterpieces, ancient Egyptian treasures, and Asian art and know about the history related to them through a knowledgeable guide. Book your tickets for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where you will also get to see Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic pieces of art on exhibit.

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About the American Museum of Natural History:

The American Museum of Natural History, located in New York City, stands as a beacon of scientific exploration and education. With its extensive collections spanning anthropology, palaeontology, astronomy, and biology, the museum provides a comprehensive insight into Earth's history and the diversity of life. From the towering dinosaur skeletons in the fossil halls to the immersive exhibits exploring global cultures, the museum engages all its visitors in a quest for knowledge and understanding.

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$ 34 $ 34 per Adult

Activity Location: Southern Boulevard, The Bronx, NY, USA

Activity Timings: 

  • Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 05:30 PM

Last Admission: 90 minutes before closing

Activity Duration: 4- 5 Hours (approx.)

About Bronx Zoo:

Visit one of the largest zoos by area in the United States which is home to more than 6,000 animals from around the world including Amur Tigers, Indian Rhinoceros and Okapi. Wander through lush exhibits like JungleWorld and Madagascar where exotic animals roam freely. Marvel at the majestic African lions in the African Plains and the beautiful snow leopards in the Himalayan Highlands. Engage in interactive experiences like Wild Encounters with penguins or the exhilarating Nature Trek through treetops. Book Bronx Zoo Tickets and have a memorable day with your family & see a wide array of rare and endangered species.

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Activity Location: 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014

Activity Timings:

  • Monday - Friday: 10:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Saturday - Sunday: 11:30 AM -06:00 PM
  • Closed on Tuesdays

About the Whitney Museum of American Art:

Explore the Whitney Museum of American Art and see over 25,000 works of art in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, film, and video. Admire the works of art by some of the most important American artists of all time, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns. Stroll through the various exhibits at the museum like "American Origins: Highlights from the Whitney's Collection" and "The Whitney Biennial 2023." Book your Whitney Museum of American Art tickets for an amazing journey into American contemporary art.

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09

Visit The Rockefeller Christmas Tree

  • Visiting the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Centre is one of the exciting things to do in Christmas in New York. 
  • It is a momentous attraction that lures around 125 million people every year.
  • The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is usually a Norway spruce that stands at a height of 69 to 100 feet.
  • The tree is decorated with 50,000 multicolored LED lights and a crystal star on top.
10

Central Park

  • One of the favourite places to visit in New York in Christmas is the Central Park that is adorned with icy snow and festive lights.
  • You can take part in the free holiday lighting show, go ice skating on the Wollman rink, and explore the park in a horse carriage ride.
  • Take your kids for a spin on the Christmas Carousel, watch live ice-carving demonstrations and relish tasty cookies and hot cocoa.
Location: New York, NY, USA

Timing:
6 AM to 1 AM
11

Enjoy the Bronx Zoo's Winter Wonderland

  • If you wish to witness the fervour in New York during Christmas, take a trip to Bronx Zoo and marvel at the colourful holiday lights at Winter Wonderland.
  • Enjoy the animated light shows, Forest of Color, Holiday Train and Wildlife Theater at the Winter Wonderland give the Bronx Zoo a festive makeover.
  • The Lantern Trails house more than 360 bespoke lanterns representing 90 different species of fauna and flora from all over the world.

Location
: 2300 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10460, USA

Timing:
November to January
12

New York City Ballet: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

  • Take part in George Balanchine's ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet show hosted every December in New York during Christmas.
  • This ballet includes 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 40 stagehands and more than 125 children to depict the story of ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ on stage.
  • You can see amazing visual effects like the huge Christmas tree that grows from 12 feet to 41 feet in height and the comic figure of Mother Ginger.
Location: 10 Lincoln Center 

Pricing: 104 USD- 222 USD
13

ONEDERLAND at One World Observatory

  • The One World Observatory turns into a Winter ONDERLAND in New York during Christmas.
  • You can enjoy several fun and festive activities like meeting the ONDERLAND mascot Ollie the Owl, a snowy elevator ride, visiting Santa’s Village, witnessing the giant snow globe and taking pictures in the ski lift at The ONDERLAND .
  • Chalet Lounge offers stunning panoramic views from the top while ONDERLAND bar and restaurants excite your taste buds with festive treats.

Location:
117 West St, New York, NY 10006, United States

Timing:
8 AM to 9 PM

Pricing:
38USD- 45USD
14

Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show

  • Witnessing the grand Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue department store is one of the best things to do in Christmas in New York for free.
  • The Light Show is made up of thousands of LED lights synchronised to dance to the tunes of the holiday music in the background.
  • Each show is three to four minutes long and takes place at an interval of 10 minutes.
Location: 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States

Timing:
5 PM to 11 PM
15

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

  • Walking through the illuminated trail of Lightscape is one of the festive things to do in Christmas in New York.
  • The trail is a mile-long walk with artistic installations across the 52 acres area of the garden.
  • You can enjoy The Winter Cathedral tunnel adorned with thousands of LED lights and the Fire Garden illuminated by real candles in Lightscape.
Location: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, United States

Timing:
10 AM to 3:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday

Pricing:
20 USD- 40 USD
16

Ice skating

  • Going ice skating is one of the must-do things to do in Christmas in New York for it is a seasonal tradition that amps up the festive aura in the city.
  • Ice skating is an exciting sport in which you can glide across an ice surface with metal-bladed ice skates. 
  • Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Wollman Rink in Central Park are some of the popular places to go ice skating in New York.
Timing: 8 AM to 10 PM

Pricing:
7.50 USD - 21 USD
17

A View From Brooklyn

  • The Brooklyn Bridge is a must-visit place in New York during Christmas as it is a popular location to marvel at the Christmas centric sights.
  • You can capture a panoramic view of Manhattan glistening in the Christmas lights and the illuminated skyline of the city from Brooklyn.
  • The bridge offers a plethora of photo opportunities and offers great views of iconic buildings like the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building and Empire State Building.

Location: Brooklyn Bridge Blvd, New York, NY 10038, USA
18

Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

  • Walking around Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is one of the exciting things to do in Christmas in New York as the locality undergoes a transformation and sees homes grandly decorated in Christmas Lights.
  •  You can witness some of the best holiday lights on 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street.
  • The Dyker Heights Holiday Lights are free to see but some houses put up a donation box on the outside, the earnings of which go to charity.
Timing: 5:30 PM to 10 PM

People Also Ask About New York

  1. What to wear to visit New York on Christmas?

    •   Long pants or jeans
    • Sweaters and windproof jackets
    •  Winter boots and close-toed shoes with good grip
    • Gloves and mittens
    • Woollen Socks
    • Beanie and earmuffs
    • Scarf
    • Hat
    • Crossbody bag
  2. Can we go for beaches on Christmas in New York?

    Visiting the beaches on Christmas in New York is not recommended as the water temperature is freezing and goes as low as 5.8oC which means it is not possible to swim in the beaches.
  3. Which are the best places to celebrate Christmas in New York?

    1.Rockefeller Center: Rockefeller Center is a large complex that is adorned with holiday lights and a giant Christmas Tree every year during Christmas. It also hosts other festive activities like the Christmas Lighting event, ice skating, and seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.

    2.One World Observatory:
    The One World Observatory turns into a Winter ONDERLAND during Christmas with a plethora of festive experiences. You can visit Santa Village, see the giant snow globe, pose beside the ski lift and eat delicious Christmas treats.

    3.Central Park:
    Visit Central Park and Take part in the variety of Christmas events like the Holiday Lighting show, ice-carving demonstration and Christmas Carousel. You can also go on a carriage ride, relish hot cocoa and cookies and go ice skating.

    4.Bronx Zoo:
    The Winter Wonderland at Bronx Zoo gears up for Christmas by putting on holiday lights, animal-themed lanterns, Holiday Train and Wildlife Theater.
  4. Which are the best activities to enjoy in New York in December?

    1.Go for ice skating: Ice skating is one of the undeniable things to do in Christmas in New York as it lets you enjoy the snow as well as the colourful Christmas lights. New York puts up several ice rinks throughout the city that are suitable for beginners as well as experts.

    2.Enjoy Dyker Heights Holiday Lights: Visit the Dyker Heights neighbourhood in Brooklyn and witness the vibrant holiday lights put up every December. All the houses decorate their homes with Christmas embellishments thus adorning the entire locale.

    3.Walk through Lightscape: Lightscape in Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an illuminated trail that is adorned with thousands of LED lights and artistic installations. A walk through Winter Cathedral and Fire Garden is sure to enthral your senses.

    4.Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show: Witness the marvellous Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue in which thousands of lights orchestrate with the background music and create patterns.
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