Your holiday season resource for Brooklyn is here! Explore our comprehensive guide for all the best events and activities. From Brooklyn residents to seasonal tourists, our guide is your gateway to holiday magic.
One of the highlights of the season is the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a towering symbol of festive cheer that draws visitors from near and far. With its dazzling lights and surrounding holiday vibe, it's a scene that encapsulates the spirit of the season. Featuring a classic outdoor skating rink, the Rockefeller Center ice skating offers a picturesque experience perfect for creating lasting memories. And the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, showcasing the legendary Rockettes, is something you definitely don’t want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Brooklyn
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (New York)
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The Rockettes) (New York)
- Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights
- Rockefeller Center ice skating (New York)
- Festive Christmas Cruise (New York)
- George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (New York)
- Christmas Horse Carriage Ride (New York)
- Christmas Markets (Union Square) (New York)
- Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (Bronx)
- Decorated Shop Windows (New York)
See these and even more events listed below!
Brooklyn Holiday Light Displays
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Iconic Christmas tree with over 50,000 LED lights.
Description:
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a towering Norway spruce decorated with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star. It stands as a symbol of the holiday season in New York City, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Where: New York | More Info: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights
What to Expect:
Guided walking tour through elaborately decorated homes.
Description:
Explore the world-famous Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, known for its extravagant Christmas light displays. The tour includes a bus ride from Manhattan to Dyker Heights, where you will be guided on a walking tour to see the most celebrated homes. Each house features unique and elaborate decorations, making this a standout holiday attraction.
Where: Brooklyn | More Info: Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights
Christmas Horse Carriage Ride
What to Expect:
Socially-distanced, open-air carriage ride with stringent sanitary measures.
Description:
Embark on a 50-minute horse-drawn carriage ride through New York City's iconic Fifth Avenue, taking in the breathtaking holiday light displays at Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany's. Pass by the Plaza and Peninsula hotels, and catch a glimpse of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, illuminated with 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and 3 million Swarovski crystals.
Where: New York | More Info: Christmas Horse Carriage Ride
Decorated Shop Windows
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday window displays with toy workshops and three-dimensional cameras.
Description:
Macy's Christmas windows in New York feature intricate and imaginative displays with interactive elements like toy workshops and three-dimensional cameras, showcasing festive animations and themes.
Where: New York | More Info: Decorated Shop Windows
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive glowing walls and illuminated flowers.
Description:
The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights features millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns spread across seven trails, showcasing nearly 100 animal and plant species. Interactive glowing walls, illuminated trees, and shimmering flowers create an immersive experience. The event includes family-friendly entertainment, seasonal treats, and classic holiday music.
Where: Bronx | More Info: Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights eBike Tour
What to Expect:
Comprehensive eBike tour of Dyker Heights' entire neighborhood.
Description:
Explore the spectacular Christmas light displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, on an eBike tour that takes you through the entire neighborhood, avoiding parking nightmares and traffic. Enjoy stunning decorations, a private guided tour, and a ferry ride to Brooklyn.
Where: Brooklyn | More Info: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights eBike Tour
Brooklyn Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Markets (Union Square)
What to Expect:
City's largest Greenmarket with 150 vendors.
Description:
The Union Square Holiday Market is a premier destination for holiday shopping and dining, featuring the city's largest Greenmarket with 150 vendors, dozens of award-winning restaurants, and a curated Local Gift Guide to find the best gifts from local businesses.
Where: New York | More Info: Christmas Markets (Union Square)
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Extensive selection of artisanal goods and seasonal treats.
Description:
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday event located at the southwest corner of Central Park, featuring over 100 artisans and designers selling unique gifts, special foods, handmade jewelry, art, and home goods. Visitors can enjoy a variety of treats like bureks, tacos, fancy doughnuts, and bratwurst, making it a delightful shopping experience.
Where: New York | More Info: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Brooklyn Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The Rockettes)
What to Expect:
High-kicking precision dance routines.
Description:
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular features the iconic Rockettes in a 90-minute show with precision dance routines, memorable performances, and special effects, all set in the historic Radio City Music Hall.
Where: New York | More Info: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The Rockettes)
Festive Christmas Cruise
What to Expect:
Live holiday music and festive decorations.
Description:
Embark on a 1.5-hour holiday cruise aboard a classic yacht, adorned with full holiday decor. Enjoy sweeping views of the NYC skyline, listen to live holiday music, and savor one complimentary drink along with delicious hot cocoa and festive cookies.
Where: New York | More Info: Festive Christmas Cruise
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a timeless ballet featuring Tschaikovsky’s transcendent melodies, intricate choreography, and elaborate sets and costumes. The production brings to life the story of young Marie as she encounters the fearsome Mouse King and arrives in the delectable Land of Sweets.
Where: New York | More Info: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Brooklyn Other Holiday Activities
Rockefeller Center ice skating
What to Expect:
Iconic ice skating under the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Description:
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center offers a quintessential winter experience under the iconic Christmas tree, with 60-minute sessions available for general admission tickets.
Where: New York | More Info: Rockefeller Center ice skating
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Flatbush (1 miles)
- East Flatbush (1 miles)
- Kensington (1 miles)
- Brownsville (2 miles)
- Flatlands (2 miles)
- Park Slope (2 miles)
- Canarsie (3 miles)
- Borough Park (3 miles)
- Sunset Park (3 miles)
- Bushwick (3 miles)
- Cypress Hills (4 miles)
- East New York (4 miles)
- Dyker Heights (4 miles)
- Gravesend (4 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (4 miles)
- Bensonhurst (4 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (4 miles)
- Ridgewood (4 miles)
- Bath Beach (4 miles)
- Williamsburg (4 miles)
- Glendale (5 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (5 miles)
- Brighton Beach (5 miles)
- Financial District (5 miles)
- Greenpoint (5 miles)
- Chinatown (5 miles)
- New York City (5 miles)
- Maspeth (5 miles)
- Coney Island (6 miles)
- Woodhaven (6 miles)
- East Village (6 miles)
- Middle Village (6 miles)
- Ozone Park (6 miles)
- Howard Beach (6 miles)
- Sunnyside (6 miles)
- Queens (6 miles)
- Gramercy Park (6 miles)
- Long Island City (7 miles)
- Forest Hills (7 miles)
- Woodside (7 miles)
- South Ozone Park (7 miles)
- Elmhurst (7 miles)
- Richmond Hill (7 miles)
- Rego Park (7 miles)
- Hoboken (8 miles)
- Jackson Heights (8 miles)
- Jamaica (8 miles)
- Briarwood (8 miles)
- Corona (8 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (8 miles)
- Astoria (8 miles)
- Jersey City (9 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (9 miles)
- Bayonne (9 miles)
- East Elmhurst (9 miles)
- Manhattan (9 miles)
- Hillside (9 miles)
- Union City (10 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (10 miles)
- East Harlem (10 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (10 miles)
- West New York (10 miles)
- Hollis (11 miles)
- Far Rockaway (11 miles)
- Laurelton (11 miles)
- Harlem (11 miles)
- College Point (11 miles)
- Mott Haven (11 miles)
- Morningside Heights (11 miles)
- North Bergen (11 miles)
- Rosedale (11 miles)
- Cambria Heights (11 miles)
- Staten Island (12 miles)
- Hunts Point (12 miles)
- New Springville (12 miles)
- Cliffside Park (12 miles)
- Whitestone (12 miles)
- Queens Village (12 miles)
- Bayside (12 miles)
- Melrose (12 miles)
- Great Kills (12 miles)
- Morrisania (13 miles)
- Valley Stream (13 miles)
- Elmont (13 miles)
- Newark (13 miles)
- Kearny (13 miles)
- Unionport (13 miles)
- Elizabeth (14 miles)
- Throgs Neck (14 miles)
- East Tremont (14 miles)
- Washington Heights (14 miles)
- Parkchester (14 miles)
- Morris Heights (14 miles)
- Palisades Park (14 miles)
- Fort Lee (14 miles)
- Tremont (14 miles)
- Van Nest (14 miles)
- Belleville (14 miles)
- The Bronx (14 miles)
- University Heights (15 miles)
- Fordham (15 miles)
- Franklin Square (15 miles)
- Woodrow (15 miles)
- Hillside (15 miles)
- Carteret (15 miles)
- Linden (16 miles)
- East Orange (16 miles)
- Long Beach (16 miles)
- Kings Bridge (16 miles)
- Irvington (16 miles)
- Rockville Centre (16 miles)
- Nutley (16 miles)
- Roselle (16 miles)
- Oceanside (16 miles)
- Bloomfield (16 miles)
- Union (17 miles)
- Englewood (17 miles)
- Orange (17 miles)
- Hackensack (17 miles)
- Passaic (17 miles)
- Garden City (17 miles)
- Rahway (17 miles)
- Teaneck (17 miles)
- Lodi (18 miles)
- Hempstead (18 miles)
- Baldwin (18 miles)
- Wakefield (18 miles)
- Maplewood (18 miles)
- Garfield (18 miles)
- Montclair (18 miles)
- Clifton (18 miles)
- West Orange (18 miles)
- Cranford (18 miles)
- Uniondale (19 miles)
- Mount Vernon (19 miles)
- Freeport (19 miles)
- Millburn (19 miles)
- Perth Amboy (19 miles)
- Bergenfield (19 miles)
- Yonkers (20 miles)
- Elmwood Park (20 miles)
- Middletown (20 miles)
- Westfield (21 miles)
- Merrick (21 miles)
- East Meadow (21 miles)
- Paramus (21 miles)
- Livingston (22 miles)
- Paterson (22 miles)
- Glen Cove (22 miles)
- Fair Lawn (22 miles)
- Summit (22 miles)
- Scotch Plains (23 miles)
- Hicksville (24 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (24 miles)
- Long Branch (24 miles)
- Plainfield (24 miles)
- Ridgewood (24 miles)
- South Plainfield (25 miles)
- Massapequa (25 miles)
- North Plainfield (25 miles)
- Harrison (25 miles)
- Sayreville (25 miles)
- Wayne (26 miles)
- Piscataway (26 miles)
- Edison (26 miles)
- Plainview (27 miles)
- Greenburgh (27 miles)
- South Old Bridge (27 miles)
- Old Bridge (27 miles)
- Marlboro (28 miles)
- White Plains (28 miles)
- Port Chester (28 miles)
- New Brunswick (29 miles)
- Parsippany (29 miles)
- Copiague (29 miles)
- East Brunswick (29 miles)
- Somerset (30 miles)
- Lindenhurst (30 miles)
- Huntington Station (31 miles)
- West Babylon (32 miles)
- Basking Ridge (32 miles)
- Mahwah (32 miles)
- Spring Valley (32 miles)
- Deer Park (33 miles)
- Dix Hills (34 miles)
- West Islip (34 miles)
- New City (34 miles)
- Stamford (35 miles)
- Ossining (36 miles)
- Randolph (36 miles)
- East Northport (36 miles)
- Bridgewater (37 miles)
- Commack (37 miles)
- Bay Shore (37 miles)
- Hillsborough (37 miles)
- Brentwood (38 miles)
- Darien (39 miles)
- West Milford (40 miles)
- North Stamford (40 miles)
- Central Islip (40 miles)
- Lakewood (41 miles)
- Hauppauge (41 miles)
- Smithtown (42 miles)
- East Norwalk (43 miles)
- Princeton (43 miles)
- Peekskill (44 miles)
- Lake Ronkonkoma (45 miles)