Discover the joy of the season in Manhattan with our detailed guide. For Manhattan natives and holiday travelers, this guide ensures everyone enjoys the season's best.
Popular events in the city include the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, a tradition that dazzles with its enormous, beautifully decorated tree. The neighborhood of Dyker Heights is well-known for its stunning holiday light displays, attracting visitors eager to witness the festive brilliance. And the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring the famous Rockettes in an enchanting holiday performance. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Manhattan
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting (New York)
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York)
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Brooklyn)
- Ice Skating at Bryant Park (New York)
- Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center (New York)
- NYBG’s Holiday Train Show (Bronx)
- Union Square Holiday Market (New York)
- Santa’s Secret Speakeasy (New York)
- Ice Skating at Wollman Ice Rink (New York)
- Frosty’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar (New York)
See these and even more events listed below!
Manhattan Holiday Light Displays
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Iconic tree lighting ceremony with live NBC broadcast.
Description:
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is an annual event featuring a towering Norway spruce adorned with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star. The tree is lit by the current Mayor of New York City, accompanied by live entertainment and broadcast live on NBC.
Where: New York | More Info: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Elaborate and unique holiday decorations on each house.
Description:
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is a renowned holiday attraction in Brooklyn, featuring elaborate and over-the-top Christmas decorations on homes along 11th to 13th Avenues between 83rd and 86th Streets. The neighborhood transforms into a spectacular display of holiday cheer, with each house showcasing unique and extravagant decorations.
Where: Brooklyn | More Info: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Rolf’s German Restaurant Holiday Decor
What to Expect:
Extravagant Christmas decorations with over 200,000 ornaments.
Description:
Rolf’s German Restaurant is renowned for its extravagant Christmas decorations, featuring hundreds of thousands of lights, thousands of ornaments, and icicles strung throughout the restaurant. The interior is adorned with porcelain dolls, wreaths, artificial fir trees, garlands, and ribbons, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Where: New York | More Info: Rolf’s German Restaurant Holiday Decor
Manhattan Holiday Markets and Shopping
Union Square Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Largest holiday market in the city 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 unique gifts from local craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
Where: New York | More Info: Union Square Holiday Market
Manhattan Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Precision dance routines and high kicks by the Radio City Rockettes.
Description:
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a holiday tradition featuring the iconic Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. The show includes precision dance routines, high kicks, and memorable performances like the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Living Nativity" scene. It is a celebration of the holiday season with special effects, snow machines, and collaborations with renowned guest performers.
Where: New York | More Info: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
NYBG’s Holiday Train Show
What to Expect:
G-scale model trains traverse plant-based replicas of NYC landmarks.
Description:
The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show features G-scale model trains navigating through miniature replicas of New York City landmarks made from plant materials, creating a lively cityscape in the Haupt Conservatory.
Where: Bronx | More Info: NYBG’s Holiday Train Show
Santa’s Secret Speakeasy
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday installations and live entertainment.
Description:
Santa's Secret Speakeasy offers an immersive holiday experience with eight installations, leading to a vintage speakeasy room featuring Christmas cocktails, a live band, and a variety show with cabaret, burlesque, and unique acts.
Where: New York | More Info: Santa’s Secret Speakeasy
Miracle on 9th Street Holiday Pop-Up Bar
What to Expect:
Over-the-top holiday-themed cocktails and decorations.
Description:
Miracle on 9th Street is a holiday-themed cocktail pop-up bar featuring kitschy decorations, festive original cocktails, and a lively atmosphere.
Where: New York | More Info: Miracle on 9th Street Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Manhattan Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
What to Expect:
Iconic ice skating under the towering Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
Description:
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center offers a quintessential winter experience under the iconic Christmas Tree, with 60-minute sessions and festive ambiance.
Where: New York | More Info: Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Ice Skating at Bryant Park
What to Expect:
Free admission ice skating with various skate aids.
Description:
Ice skating at Bryant Park offers a free-admission rink with various skate aids and rentals available. The rink is open daily, and early morning sessions are ideal for avoiding crowds. Non-skating adults can enjoy the view from around the rink or The Lodge Bar and Food Hall.
Where: New York | More Info: Ice Skating at Bryant Park
Ice Skating at Wollman Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Breathtaking city skyline views.
Description:
Ice skating at Wollman Rink offers a quintessential New York winter experience, with breathtaking views of the city skyline and a welcoming environment for skaters of all ages and skill levels.
Where: New York | More Info: Ice Skating at Wollman Ice Rink
Frosty’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday photo experiences with festive decor.
Description:
Frosty’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar is a vibrant, interactive Christmas experience in the heart of New York City. Featuring sensational seasonal cocktails, wonderfully interactive holiday photo experiences, and immersive environments with lights and music, it offers a unique holiday celebration.
Where: New York | More Info: Frosty’s Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Ecological and synthetic rooftop skating rink.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Disney's The Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland, where you can skate on Manhattan's only rooftop rink, explore Santa's famous sleigh, and cozy up in Santa's living room with a memorable photo beside his fireplace.
Where: New York | More Info: Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland
Christmas Day Brunch Cruise
What to Expect:
Live DJ entertainment and bottomless mimosas.
Description:
Embark on a luxurious 2.5-hour Christmas Day Premier Brunch Cruise aboard Bateaux New York. Savor a delicious plated brunch with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts, accompanied by bottomless mimosas for guests 21 and older. Enjoy live DJ entertainment while taking in breathtaking 360° views of the city skyline.
Where: New York | More Info: Christmas Day Brunch Cruise
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- East Harlem (1 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (2 miles)
- Morningside Heights (2 miles)
- Harlem (2 miles)
- Astoria (2 miles)
- West New York (3 miles)
- North Bergen (3 miles)
- Long Island City (3 miles)
- Cliffside Park (3 miles)
- Mott Haven (3 miles)
- Union City (3 miles)
- Gramercy Park (3 miles)
- Sunnyside (3 miles)
- East Village (4 miles)
- Melrose (4 miles)
- Woodside (4 miles)
- Greenpoint (4 miles)
- Hoboken (4 miles)
- Morrisania (4 miles)
- Jackson Heights (5 miles)
- Fort Lee (5 miles)
- Hunts Point (5 miles)
- Palisades Park (5 miles)
- Williamsburg (5 miles)
- Washington Heights (5 miles)
- Chinatown (5 miles)
- Maspeth (5 miles)
- Morris Heights (5 miles)
- New York City (5 miles)
- East Elmhurst (6 miles)
- Tremont (6 miles)
- Elmhurst (6 miles)
- Financial District (6 miles)
- East Tremont (6 miles)
- University Heights (6 miles)
- Corona (6 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (6 miles)
- College Point (6 miles)
- Fordham (6 miles)
- Middle Village (6 miles)
- Ridgewood (7 miles)
- Bushwick (7 miles)
- Parkchester (7 miles)
- Unionport (7 miles)
- The Bronx (7 miles)
- Jersey City (7 miles)
- Van Nest (7 miles)
- Glendale (7 miles)
- Rego Park (7 miles)
- Kings Bridge (7 miles)
- Englewood (8 miles)
- Forest Hills (8 miles)
- Whitestone (8 miles)
- Park Slope (8 miles)
- Throgs Neck (8 miles)
- Hackensack (8 miles)
- Teaneck (8 miles)
- Cypress Hills (8 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (8 miles)
- Woodhaven (9 miles)
- Brownsville (9 miles)
- Flatbush (9 miles)
- Richmond Hill (9 miles)
- East Flatbush (9 miles)
- Lodi (9 miles)
- East New York (9 miles)
- Brooklyn (9 miles)
- Briarwood (9 miles)
- Kearny (9 miles)
- Kensington (9 miles)
- Belleville (10 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (10 miles)
- Ozone Park (10 miles)
- Queens (10 miles)
- Sunset Park (10 miles)
- Passaic (10 miles)
- Wakefield (10 miles)
- Bayside (10 miles)
- Bergenfield (10 miles)
- Garfield (10 miles)
- Canarsie (10 miles)
- Borough Park (10 miles)
- Nutley (10 miles)
- Jamaica (11 miles)
- Hillside (11 miles)
- Yonkers (11 miles)
- South Ozone Park (11 miles)
- Howard Beach (11 miles)
- Bayonne (11 miles)
- Mount Vernon (11 miles)
- Newark (11 miles)
- Flatlands (11 miles)
- Dyker Heights (11 miles)
- Hollis (11 miles)
- Elmwood Park (12 miles)
- Clifton (12 miles)
- Bloomfield (12 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (12 miles)
- Queens Village (12 miles)
- Paramus (13 miles)
- Bath Beach (13 miles)
- East Orange (13 miles)
- Bensonhurst (13 miles)
- Gravesend (13 miles)
- Montclair (13 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (13 miles)
- Cambria Heights (13 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (14 miles)
- Fair Lawn (14 miles)
- Laurelton (14 miles)
- Orange (14 miles)
- Paterson (14 miles)
- Brighton Beach (14 miles)
- Coney Island (14 miles)
- West Orange (14 miles)
- Elmont (14 miles)
- Irvington (14 miles)
- Rosedale (15 miles)
- Hillside (15 miles)
- Elizabeth (15 miles)
- Ridgewood (16 miles)
- Valley Stream (16 miles)
- Franklin Square (16 miles)
- Maplewood (16 miles)
- Far Rockaway (17 miles)
- Union (17 miles)
- New Springville (17 miles)
- Staten Island (18 miles)
- Roselle (18 miles)
- Garden City (18 miles)
- Millburn (18 miles)
- Glen Cove (18 miles)
- Livingston (18 miles)
- Linden (18 miles)
- Greenburgh (18 miles)
- Harrison (18 miles)
- Great Kills (19 miles)
- Wayne (19 miles)
- Hempstead (19 miles)
- Rockville Centre (19 miles)
- Cranford (19 miles)
- Carteret (20 miles)
- Oceanside (20 miles)
- White Plains (20 miles)
- Rahway (20 miles)
- Uniondale (20 miles)
- Woodrow (21 miles)
- Baldwin (21 miles)
- Long Beach (21 miles)
- Summit (21 miles)
- Westfield (22 miles)
- Port Chester (22 miles)
- East Meadow (22 miles)
- Freeport (22 miles)
- Mahwah (23 miles)
- Hicksville (23 miles)
- Spring Valley (23 miles)
- Merrick (23 miles)
- Scotch Plains (24 miles)
- Parsippany (25 miles)
- Perth Amboy (25 miles)
- New City (25 miles)
- Plainfield (25 miles)
- Plainview (26 miles)
- North Plainfield (26 miles)
- Massapequa (27 miles)
- Ossining (27 miles)
- South Plainfield (27 miles)
- Middletown (28 miles)
- Stamford (29 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (29 miles)
- Huntington Station (29 miles)
- Edison (30 miles)
- Piscataway (30 miles)
- Copiague (30 miles)
- Sayreville (30 miles)
- Basking Ridge (31 miles)
- Lindenhurst (32 miles)
- West Milford (32 miles)
- West Babylon (32 miles)
- Randolph (32 miles)
- New Brunswick (33 miles)
- South Old Bridge (33 miles)
- Old Bridge (33 miles)
- North Stamford (33 miles)
- Dix Hills (33 miles)
- Darien (33 miles)
- Long Branch (33 miles)
- Deer Park (33 miles)
- Somerset (34 miles)
- East Brunswick (34 miles)
- East Northport (34 miles)
- West Islip (35 miles)
- Peekskill (35 miles)
- Commack (35 miles)
- Marlboro (36 miles)
- East Norwalk (37 miles)
- Brentwood (38 miles)
- Bridgewater (38 miles)
- Bay Shore (38 miles)
- Central Islip (40 miles)
- Kiryas Joel (40 miles)
- Hauppauge (40 miles)
- Westport (40 miles)
- Smithtown (40 miles)
- Hillsborough (41 miles)
- Lake Ronkonkoma (44 miles)
- Fairfield (44 miles)