Plan your festive itinerary in New York City with our guide. Discover all the best holiday events and activities. Whether you're a New York City insider or an outsider looking in, this guide reveals the city's holiday soul.
One highly anticipated attraction is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the iconic Rockettes and their dazzling performances that captivate audiences every year. The holiday markets, such as the Union Square Holiday Market, offer a delightful array of artisan gifts and seasonal treats, creating a charming shopping experience. And the Holiday Market at Bryant Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its enchanting atmosphere full of festive stalls and ice skating. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around New York City
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular
- Union Square Holiday Market
- Holiday Market at Bryant Park
- George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
- Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
- Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
- Elf The Musical
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (Brooklyn)
- Classic Harbor Line Holiday Cruise
- Grand Central Holiday Market
See these and even more events listed below!
New York City Holiday Light Displays
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Elaborate home decorations with life-size Nutcrackers and animatronic displays.
Description:
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights features elaborate home decorations, including life-size Nutcrackers and animatronic displays, creating a spectacular holiday display in Brooklyn.
Where: Brooklyn | More Info: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Christmas Horse Carriage Ride in Central Park
What to Expect:
Socially-distanced, open-air carriage ride with narrated facts about NYC.
Description:
Embark on a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park and Fifth Avenue, taking in the stunning holiday light displays at iconic locations like Saks Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Cartier.
Where: New York City | More Info: Christmas Horse Carriage Ride in Central Park
Bronx Zoo Light Show
What to Expect:
Interactive glowing walls and illuminated flowers.
Description:
The Bronx Zoo Light Show features millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns across seven trails, showcasing nearly 100 animal and plant species. Interactive glowing walls, illuminated trees, and shimmering flowers create immersive experiences. The event includes family-friendly entertainment, seasonal treats, and classic holiday music.
Where: Bronx | More Info: Bronx Zoo Light Show
New York City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market at Bryant Park
What to Expect:
Free-admission ice skating rink and over 180 holiday shops.
Description:
The Bryant Park Holiday Market is an open-air European-inspired market featuring artisans from New York City and around the world. Located along Bryant Park's alleys, plazas, and terraces, the market houses custom-designed, jewel box kiosks offering local crafts, artisan provisions, and exquisite gifts.
Where: New York City | More Info: Holiday Market at Bryant Park
Union Square Holiday Market
What to Expect:
City's largest Greenmarket with 150 vendors.
Description:
The Union Square Holiday Market is a premier holiday destination in New York City, featuring the city's largest Greenmarket with 150 vendors, dozens of award-winning restaurants and retailers, and a curated Local Gift Guide to find the best gifts from local businesses. The market also offers an interactive Holiday Map to discover shopping and dining experiences.
Where: New York City | More Info: Union Square Holiday Market
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
What to Expect:
European flair with over 100 vendors selling unique wares.
Description:
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is a vibrant holiday event located at the southwest corner of Central Park, offering a diverse array of unique gifts, special foods, handmade jewelry, art, and home goods from over 100 artisans and designers.
Where: New York City | More Info: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Grand Central Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Curated shopping experience with artisanal goods.
Description:
The Grand Central Holiday Fair is a six-week celebration of small businesses and holiday cheer, featuring 36 vendors offering handmade bath products, knitwear, jewelry, art prints, and more in the stunning beaux-arts Vanderbilt Hall.
Where: New York City | More Info: Grand Central Holiday Market
New York City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
High-kicking precision dance routines 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 festive music, dance, and comedy.
Where: New York City | More Info: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a timeless ballet featuring Tchaikovsky’s iconic melodies, intricate choreography, and elaborate sets and costumes. The production brings to life the story of young Marie as she navigates a battle between toy soldiers and mischievous mice, culminating in a journey to the 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:
G-scale model trains traverse plant-based NYC landmarks.
Description:
The Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden features G-scale model trains navigating through miniature replicas of New York City landmarks made from plant parts, creating a vibrant and detailed cityscape in the Haupt Conservatory. Visitors can explore the Conservatory Lawn and enjoy beautifully lit scenes, including cactus-filled deserts and lush rainforests, offering unique holiday photo opportunities.
Where: Bronx | More Info: Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
Elf The Musical
What to Expect:
Buddy's hilarious journey to discover his true identity.
Description:
Elf The Musical is a heartwarming stage adaptation of the family-favorite holiday film, following Buddy, a human raised as an Elf, on his journey from the North Pole to New York City in search of his true identity and the spirit of Christmas. With catchy songs and lively choreography, it’s a feel-good experience that will leave you with a smile on your face and the joy of the holiday season in your heart.
Where: New York City | More Info: Elf The Musical
A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
What to Expect:
Exclusive Q&A with Macaulay Culkin after the screening.
Description:
Join Macaulay Culkin for a nostalgic evening featuring a screening of Home Alone, followed by a conversation with the iconic actor about his experiences and favorite memories from the film.
Where: Newark | More Info: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
New York City Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
What to Expect:
Iconic ice skating experience under the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Description:
Ice skating at Rockefeller Center offers a quintessential winter activity under the iconic Christmas tree, with various ticket options and special events.
Where: New York City | More Info: Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Classic Harbor Line Holiday Cruise
What to Expect:
Live jazz band and traditional carols.
Description:
Classic Harbor Line offers holiday cruises in NYC aboard luxury 1920s-style yachts. Enjoy the city skyline, iconic landmarks, and festive atmosphere with live music and complimentary drinks.
Where: New York City | More Info: Classic Harbor Line Holiday Cruise
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Financial District (0 miles)
- Chinatown (1 miles)
- East Village (1 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (1 miles)
- Gramercy Park (2 miles)
- Hoboken (2 miles)
- Williamsburg (3 miles)
- Greenpoint (3 miles)
- Park Slope (3 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (4 miles)
- Long Island City (4 miles)
- Jersey City (4 miles)
- Sunnyside (4 miles)
- Union City (5 miles)
- Sunset Park (5 miles)
- Bushwick (5 miles)
- Maspeth (5 miles)
- Flatbush (5 miles)
- Kensington (5 miles)
- West New York (5 miles)
- Manhattan (5 miles)
- Brooklyn (5 miles)
- Ridgewood (5 miles)
- Borough Park (6 miles)
- Astoria (6 miles)
- Woodside (6 miles)
- East Flatbush (6 miles)
- Brownsville (6 miles)
- North Bergen (6 miles)
- Glendale (6 miles)
- Dyker Heights (6 miles)
- East Harlem (6 miles)
- Bayonne (6 miles)
- Middle Village (7 miles)
- Cypress Hills (7 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (7 miles)
- Elmhurst (7 miles)
- Jackson Heights (7 miles)
- Morningside Heights (7 miles)
- Harlem (7 miles)
- East New York (7 miles)
- Canarsie (7 miles)
- Flatlands (7 miles)
- Cliffside Park (7 miles)
- Bath Beach (8 miles)
- Bensonhurst (8 miles)
- Mott Haven (8 miles)
- Woodhaven (8 miles)
- Corona (8 miles)
- East Elmhurst (8 miles)
- Rego Park (8 miles)
- Forest Hills (8 miles)
- Kearny (8 miles)
- Gravesend (8 miles)
- Newark (9 miles)
- Ozone Park (9 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (9 miles)
- Melrose (9 miles)
- Queens (9 miles)
- Richmond Hill (9 miles)
- Palisades Park (9 miles)
- Hunts Point (9 miles)
- Belleville (9 miles)
- Coney Island (9 miles)
- Morrisania (9 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (10 miles)
- Fort Lee (10 miles)
- Howard Beach (10 miles)
- Brighton Beach (10 miles)
- College Point (10 miles)
- Briarwood (10 miles)
- Washington Heights (10 miles)
- South Ozone Park (10 miles)
- Morris Heights (10 miles)
- Jamaica (11 miles)
- Tremont (11 miles)
- East Tremont (11 miles)
- Nutley (11 miles)
- East Orange (11 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (11 miles)
- Whitestone (11 miles)
- University Heights (11 miles)
- Elizabeth (11 miles)
- Unionport (11 miles)
- Bloomfield (11 miles)
- Hillside (11 miles)
- Fordham (11 miles)
- Parkchester (12 miles)
- New Springville (12 miles)
- Passaic (12 miles)
- Hillside (12 miles)
- The Bronx (12 miles)
- Van Nest (12 miles)
- Hackensack (12 miles)
- Irvington (12 miles)
- Lodi (12 miles)
- Throgs Neck (12 miles)
- Englewood (12 miles)
- Orange (12 miles)
- Hollis (13 miles)
- Kings Bridge (13 miles)
- Bayside (13 miles)
- Staten Island (13 miles)
- Teaneck (13 miles)
- Garfield (13 miles)
- Clifton (13 miles)
- Montclair (13 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (13 miles)
- Great Kills (13 miles)
- West Orange (14 miles)
- Union (14 miles)
- Queens Village (14 miles)
- Roselle (14 miles)
- Laurelton (14 miles)
- Linden (14 miles)
- Maplewood (14 miles)
- Cambria Heights (14 miles)
- Elmwood Park (14 miles)
- Rosedale (15 miles)
- Bergenfield (15 miles)
- Carteret (15 miles)
- Wakefield (15 miles)
- Far Rockaway (15 miles)
- Elmont (15 miles)
- Woodrow (16 miles)
- Millburn (16 miles)
- Cranford (16 miles)
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- Yonkers (16 miles)
- Rahway (16 miles)
- Mount Vernon (16 miles)
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- Paterson (16 miles)
- Fair Lawn (17 miles)
- Livingston (17 miles)
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- Westfield (18 miles)
- Summit (19 miles)
- Ridgewood (19 miles)
- Garden City (19 miles)
- Rockville Centre (19 miles)
- Perth Amboy (20 miles)
- Oceanside (20 miles)
- Long Beach (20 miles)
- Hempstead (20 miles)
- Wayne (20 miles)
- Scotch Plains (21 miles)
- Baldwin (21 miles)
- Uniondale (22 miles)
- Plainfield (22 miles)
- Glen Cove (22 miles)
- Freeport (22 miles)
- North Plainfield (23 miles)
- Middletown (23 miles)
- South Plainfield (23 miles)
- Harrison (23 miles)
- East Meadow (23 miles)
- Greenburgh (24 miles)
- Merrick (24 miles)
- Parsippany (24 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (24 miles)
- Edison (25 miles)
- Piscataway (25 miles)
- Hicksville (25 miles)
- White Plains (25 miles)
- Sayreville (26 miles)
- Port Chester (27 miles)
- Mahwah (27 miles)
- Spring Valley (28 miles)
- Massapequa (28 miles)
- South Old Bridge (28 miles)
- Old Bridge (28 miles)
- New Brunswick (28 miles)
- Long Branch (28 miles)
- Basking Ridge (28 miles)
- Plainview (29 miles)
- East Brunswick (29 miles)
- Somerset (29 miles)
- New City (30 miles)
- Marlboro (30 miles)
- Randolph (32 miles)
- Copiague (32 miles)
- Ossining (32 miles)
- Huntington Station (33 miles)
- Lindenhurst (33 miles)
- Stamford (34 miles)
- West Babylon (34 miles)
- West Milford (34 miles)
- Bridgewater (35 miles)
- Deer Park (36 miles)
- Dix Hills (36 miles)
- Hillsborough (36 miles)
- West Islip (37 miles)
- East Northport (37 miles)
- Darien (38 miles)
- North Stamford (38 miles)
- Commack (38 miles)
- Bay Shore (40 miles)
- Peekskill (40 miles)
- Brentwood (40 miles)
- East Norwalk (42 miles)
- Central Islip (42 miles)
- Princeton (43 miles)
- Hauppauge (43 miles)
- Smithtown (43 miles)
- Lakewood (44 miles)
- Kiryas Joel (44 miles)
- Westport (45 miles)