Get ready for a holiday adventure in Coney Island! Our guide has all the exciting festive events and activities. Whether Coney Island is your permanent address or your seasonal escape, this guide ensures you make the most of the festivities.
One of the highlights this season is the Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair, where artisan vendors gather to showcase unique gifts and seasonal treats in an iconic setting. Meanwhile, Bryant Park Winter Village offers a vibrant atmosphere with its ice skating rink and charming chalet-style shops. And the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring the famous Rockettes in a dazzling performance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Coney Island Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Coney Island
- George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (New York City)
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York City)
- Bryant Park Winter Village (New York City)
- Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair (New York City)
- South Street Seaport Winter Wonderland (New York City)
- Hudson Yards Shine Bright (New York City)
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market (New York City)
- Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
- Frost Fest at Luna Park
- Gingerbread City at South Street Seaport Museum (New York City)
See these and even more events listed below!
Coney Island Holiday Light Displays
Hudson Yards Shine Bright
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with interactive events.
Description:
Hudson Yards Shine Bright features over 2 million twinkling lights, 725 illuminated evergreen trees, and 16-foot tall hot air balloon decorations. Visitors can enjoy free photos with Santa, holiday shopping, and exclusive events like Sip & Shop.
Where: New York City | More Info: Hudson Yards Shine Bright
Coney Island Holiday Markets and Shopping
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and artisanal items in a stunning Beaux-Arts setting.
Description:
The Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair is a six-week celebration featuring an indoor artisan market with unique handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and artwork. This year, it welcomes Uncommon Goods and exclusive limited-edition MTA merchandise.
Where: New York City | More Info: Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
Bryant Park Winter Village
What to Expect:
NYC's largest free-admission ice skating rink with unique shopping and dining experiences.
Description:
Bryant Park Winter Village offers free-admission ice skating, over 180 holiday shops, and cozy igloos amidst festive decorations and seasonal treats.
Where: New York City | More Info: Bryant Park Winter Village
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and local artisanal goods in a picturesque Central Park setting.
Description:
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is a premier holiday shopping destination featuring over 100 artisans and designers selling unique gifts, special foods, handmade jewelry, art, and home goods. Located at the southwest corner of Central Park, it offers a European flair with colorful lights and festive decorations.
Where: New York City | More Info: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Coney Island Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Precision dance performance with live animals and advanced technology.
Description:
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a classic holiday show featuring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, with intricate choreography, festive music, and innovative technology. The show includes iconic numbers like "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "The Living Nativity," blending tradition with modern elements.
Where: New York City | More Info: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a treasured holiday classic featuring Tchaikovsky's transcendent melodies, Balanchine's exquisite choreography, and elaborate sets and costumes. The production transports audiences to a world where a brave young girl turns the tide of a battle between toy soldiers and mischievous mice, culminating in a blustery blizzard that reveals a delectable Land of Sweets.
Where: New York City | More Info: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
What to Expect:
Miniature cityscape made from plant parts with G-scale model trains.
Description:
The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden features over 30 years of tradition, showcasing nearly 200 New York City landmarks made from natural materials with G-scale model trains. The event includes a picture-perfect outdoor lawn display and a whimsical cityscape in the Haupt Conservatory, with twinkling plant-based replicas of local architecture. Visitors can enjoy holiday classics, sweet and savory bites, and hands-on activities.
Where: Bronx | More Info: Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
Photos with Santa at Hudson Yards
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday photo opportunity with Santa.
Description:
Capture a special moment with Santa at Hudson Yards, surrounded by the vibrant lights and festive atmosphere of the holiday season.
Where: New York City | More Info: Photos with Santa at Hudson Yards
Kwanzaa at the Apollo Theater
What to Expect:
Celebrating Kwanzaa with African diaspora dance, music, and spoken word.
Description:
The Kwanzaa Celebration at the Apollo Theater features Forces of Nature Dance Theatre under the leadership of critically acclaimed choreographer Abdel Salaam. The event includes special guests Mumu Fresh and the Harlem Children’s Zone Youth Academy of Dance and Wellness, showcasing traditions from across the country and the African continent in a powerful evening of music, percussion, and modern and African dance.
Where: New York City | More Info: Kwanzaa at the Apollo Theater
A Christmas Carol, The Musical
What to Expect:
One-man performance with British pantomime-inspired design.
Description:
A heartwarming holiday tradition where Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts, including his old business partner Marley, Christmas Past, Present, and Future. This lively musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale follows Scrooge's journey as he gets a glimpse of his own future if he doesn't change his life.
Where: New York City | More Info: A Christmas Carol, The Musical
Holiday Jazz, Cocoa and Carols Cruise
What to Expect:
Live jazz and holiday carols on a festive cruise.
Description:
Embark on a 1.5-hour holiday cruise through New York City's iconic waterways. Enjoy live jazz music, festive holiday carols, and warm drinks like hot cocoa and champagne. The cruise offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and other iconic landmarks. Comfortable seating and a cozy solarium ensure a delightful experience for families, couples, and friends.
Where: New York City | More Info: Holiday Jazz, Cocoa and Carols Cruise
Coney Island Other Holiday Activities
South Street Seaport Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Unique rooftop skating experience with panoramic city views.
Description:
South Street Seaport Winter Wonderland transforms The Rooftop at Pier 17 into Santa's headquarters, featuring a rooftop skating rink, private dining cabins, and seasonal treats. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city skyline while exploring Santa's famous sleigh and cozying up by the fireplace.
Where: New York City | More Info: South Street Seaport Winter Wonderland
Frost Fest at Luna Park
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly outdoor skating experience with festive activities.
Description:
Frost Fest at Luna Park in Coney Island offers a variety of winter activities, including an outdoor skating rink, holiday market, Santa's Wonderland, and over 20 amusement park rides. Visitors can enjoy festive food options, seasonal warm beverages, and Italian bakery snacks.
Where: Coney Island | More Info: Frost Fest at Luna Park
Photos with Santa at Brookfield Place
What to Expect:
Complimentary Santa experience with virtual line management.
Description:
Create photo memories with Santa Claus at Brookfield Place's Winter Garden. Enjoy crafts, candy canes, and holiday cheer. Furry friends are invited for special photo ops.
Where: New York City | More Info: Photos with Santa at Brookfield Place
Gingerbread City at South Street Seaport Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive gingerbread structures and educational activities.
Description:
The Gingerbread City at South Street Seaport Museum features a confectionary recreation of a city made from gingerbread, candy, and frosting, showcasing architectural designs and highlighting climate change solutions.
Where: New York City | More Info: Gingerbread City at South Street Seaport Museum
Coney Island Polar Plunge
What to Expect:
Braving icy ocean waters for a good cause.
Description:
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club's New Year's Day Plunge is a unique event where participants brave the frigid Atlantic Ocean waters. This annual tradition, dating back to 1903, supports local non-profits with environmental, educational, and cultural programming.
Where: Coney Island | More Info: Coney Island Polar Plunge
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Bensonhurst (2 miles)
- Brighton Beach (2 miles)
- Bath Beach (2 miles)
- Gravesend (2 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (3 miles)
- Dyker Heights (3 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (3 miles)
- Borough Park (4 miles)
- Flatlands (4 miles)
- Sunset Park (5 miles)
- Kensington (5 miles)
- Flatbush (5 miles)
- Brooklyn (6 miles)
- East Flatbush (6 miles)
- Park Slope (6 miles)
- Canarsie (7 miles)
- Brownsville (7 miles)
- Staten Island (8 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (8 miles)
- Great Kills (8 miles)
- East New York (8 miles)
- Cypress Hills (9 miles)
- Bayonne (9 miles)
- New Springville (9 miles)
- Bushwick (9 miles)
- Financial District (9 miles)
- New York City (9 miles)
- Chinatown (10 miles)
- Ridgewood (10 miles)
- Williamsburg (10 miles)
- Howard Beach (10 miles)
- Glendale (10 miles)
- Greenpoint (10 miles)
- Ozone Park (10 miles)
- East Village (10 miles)
- Woodhaven (10 miles)
- Maspeth (11 miles)
- Queens (11 miles)
- Woodrow (11 miles)
- Gramercy Park (11 miles)
- South Ozone Park (11 miles)
- Middle Village (11 miles)
- Jersey City (11 miles)
- Sunnyside (12 miles)
- Hoboken (12 miles)
- Long Island City (12 miles)
- Richmond Hill (12 miles)
- Forest Hills (12 miles)
- Carteret (12 miles)
- Woodside (12 miles)
- Elmhurst (13 miles)
- Jamaica (13 miles)
- Rego Park (13 miles)
- Far Rockaway (13 miles)
- Elizabeth (13 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (13 miles)
- Briarwood (13 miles)
- Linden (13 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (14 miles)
- Jackson Heights (14 miles)
- Corona (14 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (14 miles)
- Astoria (14 miles)
- Union City (14 miles)
- Hillside (14 miles)
- Middletown (14 miles)
- Manhattan (14 miles)
- East Elmhurst (14 miles)
- Newark (14 miles)
- Laurelton (14 miles)
- West New York (15 miles)
- Rosedale (15 miles)
- Roselle (15 miles)
- Rahway (15 miles)
- Hillside (15 miles)
- Perth Amboy (15 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (15 miles)
- Hollis (15 miles)
- East Harlem (15 miles)
- Kearny (15 miles)
- Cambria Heights (16 miles)
- North Bergen (16 miles)
- Harlem (16 miles)
- Valley Stream (16 miles)
- Morningside Heights (16 miles)
- Union (16 miles)
- Mott Haven (16 miles)
- College Point (16 miles)
- Irvington (17 miles)
- Queens Village (17 miles)
- Cliffside Park (17 miles)
- Cranford (17 miles)
- Belleville (17 miles)
- Elmont (17 miles)
- East Orange (17 miles)
- Hunts Point (17 miles)
- Bayside (17 miles)
- Whitestone (18 miles)
- Melrose (18 miles)
- Long Beach (18 miles)
- Morrisania (18 miles)
- Maplewood (18 miles)
- Orange (18 miles)
- Palisades Park (19 miles)
- Bloomfield (19 miles)
- Unionport (19 miles)
- Long Branch (19 miles)
- Fort Lee (19 miles)
- Franklin Square (19 miles)
- Nutley (19 miles)
- Oceanside (19 miles)
- Washington Heights (19 miles)
- Millburn (19 miles)
- Morris Heights (19 miles)
- Throgs Neck (19 miles)
- East Tremont (19 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (19 miles)
- Rockville Centre (19 miles)
- Tremont (19 miles)
- Parkchester (19 miles)
- Westfield (19 miles)
- Van Nest (20 miles)
- West Orange (20 miles)
- The Bronx (20 miles)
- University Heights (20 miles)
- Fordham (20 miles)
- Montclair (21 miles)
- Passaic (21 miles)
- Baldwin (21 miles)
- Sayreville (21 miles)
- Kings Bridge (21 miles)
- Clifton (21 miles)
- Scotch Plains (21 miles)
- Hackensack (21 miles)
- Garden City (21 miles)
- Lodi (22 miles)
- Hempstead (22 miles)
- Summit (22 miles)
- Englewood (22 miles)
- Garfield (22 miles)
- South Plainfield (22 miles)
- Piscataway (22 miles)
- Plainfield (22 miles)
- Teaneck (22 miles)
- Freeport (22 miles)
- South Old Bridge (22 miles)
- Edison (22 miles)
- Marlboro (22 miles)
- Old Bridge (23 miles)
- Livingston (23 miles)
- Uniondale (23 miles)
- North Plainfield (23 miles)
- Wakefield (23 miles)
- Elmwood Park (23 miles)
- Merrick (24 miles)
- Bergenfield (24 miles)
- East Brunswick (24 miles)
- Mount Vernon (25 miles)
- East Meadow (25 miles)
- New Brunswick (25 miles)
- Yonkers (25 miles)
- Paterson (25 miles)
- Paramus (26 miles)
- Fair Lawn (26 miles)
- Somerset (27 miles)
- Glen Cove (27 miles)
- Hicksville (28 miles)
- Massapequa (28 miles)
- Wayne (28 miles)
- Ridgewood (28 miles)
- Parsippany (30 miles)
- Basking Ridge (30 miles)
- Harrison (31 miles)
- Plainview (31 miles)
- Copiague (32 miles)
- Greenburgh (32 miles)
- Lindenhurst (33 miles)
- White Plains (34 miles)
- Hillsborough (34 miles)
- Port Chester (34 miles)
- Bridgewater (34 miles)
- West Babylon (35 miles)
- Lakewood (35 miles)
- Huntington Station (36 miles)
- Randolph (36 miles)
- Mahwah (36 miles)
- Spring Valley (37 miles)
- Deer Park (37 miles)
- West Islip (37 miles)
- Dix Hills (38 miles)
- Princeton (38 miles)
- New City (39 miles)
- Bay Shore (41 miles)
- Stamford (41 miles)
- East Northport (41 miles)
- Ossining (41 miles)
- Commack (41 miles)
- Brentwood (42 miles)
- West Milford (43 miles)
- Mercerville-Hamilton Square (43 miles)
- Central Islip (44 miles)
- Darien (44 miles)
- Toms River (44 miles)
- Hauppauge (45 miles)