Christmas in New York City is simply wonderful. The chill in the air is just enough for red noses. The city streets are decked out in shimmering lights and dazzling displays of ornaments, snowflakes, and tinsel. Not a trimming is missed.
Even as a longtime local, a New York Christmas still stirs my holiday spirit as soon as the season’s first decorations are up. You’re in luck, too! If you visit in December, it’s always Christmas in New York.
If you’ve dreamed of visiting during the holidays, this guide has all you need to know for a successful trip. After all, Christmas in New York City is a special time and, undoubtedly, your visit will always hold a special place in your memory.
If it’s your first time in New York City, check out my complete New York City Guide with itinerary ideas, things to do, how to get around, where to stay, and more.
The info in this post will be updated as 2023 NYC Christmas information is available.
What to Know About Christmas in New York City 2023
New York at Christmas is magical! It’s on many travelers’ bucket lists with good reason. In order to have a successful trip, though, you need to be in the right mindset.
Absolutely bring your best holiday cheer, but include a dose of reality about what to expect.
- From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, New York City can be extremely crowded, especially the areas in and around Times Square and Rockefeller Center. Even if you’ve done crowds in other cities, channel your inner farm animal and be ready to move in a herd.
- Give yourself more time for everything. With so many people, everything takes longer. Whenever possible, go underground and travel by subway. Avoid taking a taxi at all, if you can, but especially in the area of midtown. Expect traffic gridlock.
- Whether you want to eat and drink at holiday favorites like Rolf’s or Serendipity 3 or any of New York City’s delicious restaurants, reservations are key. If the establishment doesn’t accept them, go at off-peak times to avoid long waits.
- NYC is expensive all the time, but New York City at Christmas means even higher prices. Save money by bundling your sightseeing expenses with a New York CityPASS or a Go City Card.
- If you’re hoping to take photos without the crowds, go early (crack of dawn early) in the morning or bring something to elevate your camera, like a selfie stick (even if they are a bit outdated), to capture city sights with as little of the crowds as possible.
What to Pack for Christmas in New York City
Be prepared for Christmas in NYC, especially if you’re not used to spending stretches of time outside in colder temperatures. Your light jacket might be perfect for walking from your house to your car and then from your car to someplace warm. But, the icy winds that funnel through NYC will shred that jacket faster than you can run for cover.
Don’t be one of the countless tourists walking through Times Square or Rockefeller Center completely ill-equipped for the elements and clearly not enjoying themselves the way they should.
Most New Yorkers know the NYC mistakes to avoid at Christmas, especially when it comes to winter gear. We know which boots to wear in order to jump over icy, slushy puddles and not fall onto the pavement. We seamlessly switch out coats and layers for 30-degree temperature differences from one day to the next.
Here are a few New York at Christmas time weather and packing tips to keep in mind.
- Check and recheck the weather before your Christmas holiday in New York. Early December can be relatively comfortable with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. The closer to Christmas and New Year’s it gets, the more likely you could experience a deeper cold and possible snow and freezing rain.
- Wear multiple layers to keep yourself warm or cool depending on the weather and where you are.
- Plan to pack:
- sweaters or fleeces,
- base layers (for frigid temps or if you hate being outside in the cold!),
- a warm coat, (I always wear a mid-length jacket to cover my legs up to my knees.)
- a hat,
- gloves or mittens,
- and warm, waterproof boots with merino wool socks.
- If you’re not a hat person, bring earmuffs or a fleece ear band. I can’t tell you how many NYC visitors I see walking with bright red frozen ears!
- Use my complete packing guide for what to wear in New York in winter for more tips to stay warm.
The Best Things to Do for Christmas in New York City
New York City at Christmas is such a special time to visit the city. On top of NYC’s most famous sights and experiences, the Christmas holiday ambiance can be felt all over the city. You can immerse yourself in holiday cheer with the many Christmas things to do and see around the city!
1. See the Rockefeller Christmas Tree 2023.
Obvious, I know. But, would you go to Paris for the first time and not see the Eiffel Tower? Exactly. Christmas in New York comes with a visit to the Rockefeller Christmas tree!
In 2023, the Rockefeller tree lighting ceremony is on Wednesday, November 29th from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Once it’s lit, you can see the tree daily until January 13th at 10 p.m.
To attend the tree lighting ceremony, you’ll need to arrive by 3 p.m. in order to have the best chance to see the tree when the lights switch on.
If you can’t get to Rockefeller Plaza immediately surrounding the tree and ice rink between 48th & 51st streets from 5th or 6th Avenues, try to get a spot in the Channel Gardens between 49th & 50th Streets along 5th Avenue. Otherwise, head to 5th Avenue and stand just at the entrance of the Channel Gardens, with Saks Fifth Avenue Department Store at your back.
To see the musical performances before the tree lighting, you must be within the first few rows of people around the ice rink. If this is your goal, arrive by midday to claim a spot.
Even after the lighting ceremony, Rockefeller Center and the tree are unbelievably crowded during the holiday season. You might even momentarily wonder why you’re shuffling along with hoards of people just to see a Christmas tree.
But, it’s truly spectacular and a New York Christmas holiday must! The decorations inside Rockefeller Center add to the display of lights and festivities. It just wouldn’t be a very New York Christmas if you didn’t see the Rockefeller tree!
The absolute best times to see the most famous Christmas tree in Manhattan are at night when the crowds thin and the tree sparkles against the dark night sky. Or if you’re an early bird like me, go just as the lights turn on.
The lights are on from 5:00 a.m. until midnight. If you’re in New York City on Christmas Day, the tree lights are on for 24 hours. Go late in the night and have the tree (almost) all to yourself! It is New York after all. There’s bound to be a least a couple of other people there, too.
If you’re in New York City for New Year’s Eve, the Rockefeller tree is lit from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.
ProTip: Need a break from the crowds at Rockefeller Center but still want to see Christmas sights? Look for Christmas trees in Lincoln Center, at South Street Seaport, and on Wall Street near the Stock Exchange.
2. Admire the Christmas Windows at the Department Stores in NYC.
Touring the holiday-themed department store windows is a classic, New York City Christmas tradition. Each year the stores decorate their windows with sparkles and glitz around a particular story or festive theme. Visitors line up to see the most popular displays, especially in the early evening hours and on the weekend.
To see all the popular store windows without backtracking along 5th Avenue go in this order.
Start at 58th Street with Bergdorf Goodman and continue on to Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, and finish at Macy’s in Herald Square.
Reverse the order if it makes more sense for your plans, but remember Macy’s Christmas decorations are the only ones along 6th Avenue in Herald Square. Otherwise, it’s a straight route up or down Fifth Avenue.
ProTip: Saks Fifth Avenue also has a beautiful light show that illuminates the entire building facade with holiday lights and sparkles choreographed to festive music. The light show runs every 10 minutes once it’s dark, typically around 4:30 pm until 11:35 pm every day. The show is just 5 minutes long so it’s easy to watch as you explore the Rockefeller Center area.
3. Visit a Christmas Market NYC Location.
New York has several holiday-themed markets. The artists and merchants sell food, clothes, spices, artwork, novelty crafts, and gifts in temporary kiosks once a year. While not quite as expansive as the Christmas markets in Europe, the markets are festive and a ton of fun to stroll through looking for gifts and new foods to try.
As you plan which places to visit in New York during Christmas, add these markets to your list.
- The Bryant Park Holiday Market is located on 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. The rink in the park is also a great place to ice skate! More details on the ice rink are below. In 2023, the holiday markets will open on October 27th. Opening at the end of October also makes the Bryant Park holiday market one of the best things to do in fall in NYC!
- Union Square Holiday Market is located between 14th and 17th Streets along Broadway. This downtown market is likely to be a little less congested but still full of vendors. Typically, there are more than 150 booths selling food and one-of-a-kind gifts. This Holiday Market is open from November 16th-December 24th. Keep in mind this market is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
- Grand Central Holiday Market inside the iconic station on 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. This is a perfect way to see the iconic constellation ceiling with its lights and get a respite from the cold outside. The market is in Vanderbilt Hall, just off the main concourse in the terminal. It’s open from November 13th-December 24th, except for Thanksgiving Day.
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market is situated at 59th street and Broadway, right at the entrance of Central Park. Before or after you shop, head into the park to skate at Wollman Rink and take in the New York City views over the treetops. In 2023, the market will be open everyday from November 28th-December 31st, except on Christmas Day. Shop for gifts Monday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m and Sundays until 7 p.m. The market also closes early, at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
- The Holiday Market at the Oculus at the World Trade Center is on the lower level of the Oculus. It’s a much smaller market than the others listed above. But if you’re in lower Manhattan, it’s a festive place to be! In 2023, the market is open from November 25th-January 2nd. If you go, walk through nearby Zuccotti Park. It’s a small square with really pretty holiday lights.
- The Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market is one of the newer NYC holiday markets! Unlike the markets in Bryant Park or Union Square, this market will feature crafts, vintage items, and antiques. Dates for 2023 have not been announced but in 2022 the market was open from November 28th-December 26th in the beautiful Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 subway lines to Borough Hall or the R train to Court Street. While you’re there, check out the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with spectacular views of Manhattan.
4. Get Festive with New York City Christmas Ornaments.
Plenty of NYC guides urge visitors to get out of midtown and see lower Manhattan. This is all for good reason.
You should absolutely save time for sights like the Brooklyn Bridge and neighborhoods like Chelsea, the Upper West Side, Chinatown, and Greenwich Village.
But, this is the one time of the year that midtown steals the show. From the snowflake suspended over 57th and 5th to the displays of decorations and lights, New York City Christmas ornaments are big and beautiful! Midtown Manhattan (particularly between 42nd and 57th streets from Broadway to 5th Avenue) shimmers and sparkles all holiday season long and it’s the place to be this time of year.
5. Enjoy Ice Skating NYC Style.
The setting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the ice rink makes it seem like a perfect place to skate. And if you’re going just for that iconic setting, do it. But, I’d say skip the ice rink at Rockefeller Center if you want to have a good skate. You’ll have a better skating experience elsewhere. The small rink is really expensive and comes with crowds and long lines.
For the quintessential New York ice skating experience, skate at Wollman Rink in Central Park.
But, skating at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park on 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues is also a great experience! Skating is free if you have your own skates. If not, rent them there.
You can even make reservations to skip the line to ice skate during peak times. After skating, spend time in Bryant Park’s winter village. It’s spectacular with its lights and kiosks selling artisanal foods and one-of-a-kind gifts from artists and vendors.
6. See Christmas shows in NYC.
Theater is full of magic so better time to see a live theater performance than during the Christmas season. New York City is overflowing with incredible Broadway shows. The lights of the theater marquees and the chill in the air make for the perfect holiday night outing in New York City.
If you want to stick with the Christmas theme, head to Radio City for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.
Or, see a classic performance of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side.
For discounted “day of “Broadway tickets, visit the TKTS booth in Times Square on 47th Street just below the famous red steps. You can even download the TKTS app for free to see what tickets are available for performances that day.
ProTip: If you’re flexible with which Broadway show to see, go to TKTS at 7:15-7:30 p.m. just before the 8:00 shows start. The line will be shorter and the theaters are all within a few minutes from the TKTS booth. Or if you’re feeling lucky, try entering a Broadway ticket lottery!
If you’re spending Christmas in NYC with kids, the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular’s daytime performances often buzz with audience noise and energy. The short show lengths and the loose, easy-to-follow storyline make it a super fun family experience.
7. Enjoy Central Park in December. (Maybe in the snow!)
Everyone loves the picture-perfect white of freshly falling snow. One of the best NYC things to do when snow magic happens is to stroll through Central Park and admire the serene winter setting.
If you enter at 59th Street in Columbus Circle, grab a hot cocoa from the holiday market. Your camera will thank you for the clean white wonderland parkscapes and the tall city buildings rising all around.
8. Book New York City Christmas Tours.
The Dyker Heights Christmas lights tour is one of the most popular. This Brooklyn neighborhood goes all out during the holidays, with every last roof shingle and inch of yard space covered in lights and decorations.
Don’t be fooled. These are not your average residents displaying their holiday cheer. The Dyker Heights holiday lights displays are done by the pros, costing tens of thousands of dollars to pull off! The best times to visit are from the middle of December onward through the holiday season from dusk until 9 pm.
ProTip: December in New York City is incredibly busy with visitors. If there are any NYC tours or activities you’re interested in doing while you’re here, book them in advance!
Best Things to Do in New York on Christmas Day
New York City is still an active place on Christmas Day. While some sights and restaurants close, there’s still plenty to do. All of the things to do in New York in December for the holiday season listed above will be available on Christmas Day, with the exception of specific tours.
You’ll just have to choose between traditional Christmas activities or making your own NYC Christmas Day memories.
Here are a few ideas to help you plan.
- Do some sightseeing.
- It is NYC, after all! The Empire State Building, Summit One Vanderbilt, and the Top of the Rock are both open.
- If you’ve gotten your fill of the Christmas markets and festivities around midtown NYC, visit One World Observation deck. While you’re downtown, walk on the Brooklyn Bridge and eat Chinese food in Chinatown. Nom Wah Tea Parlor has been open since the 1920s and serves delicious dim sum. Or head to my favorite, Wo Hop!
- The 9/11 Memorial and Museum are also open on Christmas Day and would be convenient to get to from downtown, as well.
- Or maybe you’re spending Christmas in New York with kids. Visit Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, stroll Times Square for selfies and a visit to the M&M store, or hop on a New York City Bus Tour.
Pro Tip: If your NYC itinerary includes a lot of sightseeing, there’s no cheaper way to see the main sights than with New York CityPASS or a Go City Card.
- Mark the Religious occasion.
- St. John the Divine uptown and St. Patrick’s in midtown are open for Mass and visitors throughout the day. If you were hoping to attend Midnight Mass at St. Patrick’s, you’ll have to fill out a request for tickets form online.
- Continue on with the soulful theme and get tickets to sway along with a Harlem Gospel celebration in Harlem.
- Spend the holiday actually(!) relaxing.
- If you’re looking for things to do on Christmas Day in NYC that don’t involve moving from place to place, reserve a table at one of NYC’s fabulous restaurants.
- Get tickets for a show. Some Broadway shows will have performances, as do the Rockettes at Radio City.
- See a movie. This is a classic NYC Christmas Day activity. Some theaters will even show holiday favorites like It’s a Wonderful Life.
- Or, get sporty at Madison Square Garden or the Barclays Center and catch a New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets game.
Christmas in New York City FAQs
Yes! In fact, it’s one of the best times to visit New York City if you enjoy festive activities & shows, holiday markets, ice skating, holiday lights, and of course, all the usual NYC sights! Truly, Christmas in New York City is one of the most special times of the year to visit!
Christmas in New York City comes with all the fantastic sights NYC is famous for. But when you visit at Christmas time, you also get to see all the holiday decorations, holiday markets, ice rinks, and the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
New York City is not typically considered a budget destination, however during the Christmas season, it can be even more expensive. In particular, hotel prices are at a peak because of the popularity of visiting NYC at Christmas. The good news is there are many Christmas-themed things you can do for free, like walking through holiday markets, visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral, admiring the department story holiday windows, and seeing all the lights and decorations around the city. Not to mention places like Central Park, Times Square, and the 9/11 Memorial are always free to visit.
Yes. New York City is incredibly crowded during Christmas. You need to allow more time for everything, especially when you’re trying to move around the midtown area where popular sights like Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park are.
December weather in New York City is typically in the 40s. It can be slightly warmer and it can be colder. But, the most frigid times of year tend to be in January and February.
Who doesn’t love a white Christmas! But, in recent years, New York City has gotten little to no snow in December. So even though it’s possible, I wouldn’t count on it.
Christmas in NYC is so worth it. Yes, there will be crowds and cold temperatures but the city sparkles and the holiday ambiance will put even the biggest of Grinch’s in the holiday spirit.
The best week to visit New York in December would be the 2nd or 3rd week of the month. While still crowded, it’s between the initial flurry of visitors when the Rockefeller Center tree is lit and before the Christmas school vacation week.
As you plan your trip to New York for Christmas, book ahead as many tours, activities, restaurants, or shows as possible to ensure you can do and see everything you’d like. Logistically group things that make sense. For example, it’s logical to visit Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the decorations and department stores along 5th Avenue leading up to the Plaza Hotel and Central Park because each one is close to the next.
You should dress in warm layers and warm, waterproof shoes or boots. Dressing for New York in December means preparing for longer periods of time outdoors whether you’re walking between sights, at Rockefeller Center, shopping at a holiday market, or enjoying the lights and decorations along 5th Avenue. Use this guide about what to wear in New York in Winter to help you pack for your trip.
Christmas in New York City is an unforgettable experience! When you’re prepared and know how to make the most of your trip, you’ll easily look back and remember your visit for the joyful holiday feelings it stirred inside you.
What questions do you have about Christmas in New York City?
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