New York City completely transforms at Christmas time — everything feels a little more sparkly, festive, and cozy. It’s truly one of my family’s favorite times of the year to visit. Our first Christmas trip to NYC was ten years ago (December 2015!), and ever since then, it’s become a bit of an annual tradition. Over the years, we’ve stayed in different neighborhoods, explored the holiday markets, visited Rockefeller Center at all different times, eaten at festive restaurants, and discovered the best ways to make the most of the city during the holiday season.

So, I thought it was time to finally put together our Ultimate Guide to Christmas in New York City — filled with tips, favorite spots, and insider ideas to help you plan the most magical (and stress-free!) holiday trip. 🎄✨

Don’t want to plan it all on your own, or need a little help customizing your itinerary? Click the button below – I’d love to help you plan your perfect Christmas getaway to NYC!

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When to Visit & What to Expect

Honestly, any time after the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit is a great time to visit. That said, if you’re looking to avoid the biggest crowds, the earlier in the season, the better — and try to go during the week rather than the weekend. We’ve visited as early as the first week of December and as late as just five days before Christmas. Crowds are pretty much inevitable, but with a few insider tips, I’ll help you navigate them and make the most of your time in the city.

Important Dates:

• October 24, 2025 – March 1, 2026 – Bryant Park Winter Village Christmas Market and Ice Rink open daily.
• November 8, 2025 -Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in NYC at 7 AM.
• November 26, 2025 – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation at the American Museum of Natural History from midday to early evening. 
• November 27, 2025 – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade officially launches the Christmas season in NYC.
• December 3, 2025 – Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 10 PM ET – you can watch this live on NBC or stream it on Peacock.
• November 28 – December 30, 2025 – Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tours run daily, including Christmas Eve and Day.
• 1^st Week of January – Lights and decorations start coming down.

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Where to Stay in NYC at Christmas

Midtown Manhattan

Ideal for: First-time visitors or if you want the optimal walkability to iconic holiday attractions like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Bryant Park Winter Village, Times Square, and Broadway.

• Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel – In a perfect location for walking to most of the major holiday stops and sights. We’ve personally stayed here before and really enjoyed it!
• The Westin New York at Times Square – Another great location for all things holiday. And, this is another one we’ve stayed at and loved!
• Sofitel New York – Love this location, too. Nestled between Rockefeller and Bryant Park.

Downtown

Ideal for: Those seeking a slightly more relaxed vibe, return visitors, or those who don’t mind a train ride or hailing a taxi to get to the iconic holiday attraction. Staying downtown also means being close to festive neighborhoods like the Seaport, Battery Park, and Tribeca. *Be sure to check out the Wall Street Christmas Display by the New Yrok Stock Exchange*

• NoMo SoHo – Top-rated staff, gorgeous garden backdrop, and jaw-dropping views.
• Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York by IHG – Stunning views from rooftop terrace + offers 2 Queen rooms – which is a rare find in NYC.
• Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel – Surrounded by great dining options, as well as being located near the subway.

Luxury/ Boutique

Ideal for: When you want a hotel that feels extra special – think amazing design, unique experiences, and luxurious touches – boutique and luxury properties are the way to go.

• The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
• The Plaza
• The St. Regis New York
• The Peninsula
• The Fifth Avenue Hotel
• Lotte New York Palace
• Waldorf Astoria New York
• Conrad New York Downtown
• The High Line Hotel
• The Bowery
• The Langham New York, Fifth Avenue
• Fouquet’s New York
• The Wall Street Hotel
• The Beekman

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Iconic Stops

• Rockefeller Center – Iconic tree & plaza lighting in Midtown Manhattan.
  • Tree Lighting Ceremony: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at 10 p.m. EST.
  • Tip: Head out early to grab those magical, low-crowd photos — the Rockefeller tree lights turn on at 5 a.m.! If you want to see the Saks Fifth Avenue light show (and snag beautiful golden-hour shots), plan to arrive around 4:00 p.m. as the sun is setting, and enter from the Fifth Avenue side. The first Saks show kicks off right at 5:00 p.m., and it’s pure holiday magic.
• Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show – Starting Nov. 24, 2025, nightly from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. EST, repeating every 10 minutes (no shows Dec. 3 or Dec. 24).
  • Best viewing spots: For the best views, stand directly in front of the Saks store or on the west side of Fifth Avenue in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
• Fifth Avenue Window Displays – Classic Holiday Stroll Route – Start around 59th Street (Bergdorf/Tiffany) and walk south toward 34th Street (Macy’s). Wear comfy shoes, stop for hot chocolate/coffee along the way. Total walking is just over 2 miles.
  • Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street) – Start here near Central Park.
  • Tiffany & Co. (727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street) 
  • Louis Vuitton (1 East 57th Street, off Fifth Avenue)
  • Saks Fifth Avenue (611 Fifth Avenue between 49th & 50th Streets) 
  • Cartier (653 Fifth Avenue) – Don’t miss the bow display.
  • American Girl Place (75 Rockefeller Plaza, near Fifth Avenue) – Small detour west off Fifth, but worth it for families. A highlight and a must-stop for my daughter when she was younger.
  • Bloomingdale’s (1000 Third Avenue between 59th & 60th Streets) – Optional, swing east for an extra stop near the top of the route.
  • Ralph Lauren (867 Madison Avenue / Ralph Lauren Home at 888 Madison Avenue) – Upper Fifth Avenue/nearby; elegant window displays.
  • Nordstrom NYC (57th Street & 6th Avenue, near Fifth) – Optional stop
  • Versace (665 Fifth Avenue) 
  • Macy’s Herald Square (151 West 34th Street) – Check out the original wooden escalator inside.
• Radio City Music Hall – Home of the Rockettes during the holidays. This is a show everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. If official tickets are sold out, or you can’t find seats together, try this Viator listing: Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring the Rockettes.
• Hudson Yards – Hudson Yards is one of my favorite spots in the city during the holidays! The whole area glows with thousands of twinkling lights, oversized ornaments, and festive displays. It’s modern, upscale, and super photogenic, especially with the Vessel all lit up. Stop inside The Shops to warm up, grab a coffee, or sneak in a little holiday shopping.
• Chelsea Market – Chelsea Market shines during the holidays with lights, garlands, and tons of festive treats. It’s the perfect spot to warm up, shop, and snack your way through some NYC cheer! Go hungry! The food options are endless — tacos, donuts, lobster rolls, and hot chocolate galore.
• Dyker Heights Christmas Lights – Every December, this Brooklyn neighborhood transforms into a winter wonderland, with homeowners going all out on their Christmas lights and decorations. We’re talking life-sized Santas, reindeer, sleighs, glowing snowmen — the works. The best part? It’s completely free to walk or drive through, with most of the action happening between 11th and 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th Street. Book this Dyker Heights Tour for transportation from Manhattan, great photo ops, and a Guided Walking Tour.
  • Taking the train in? Getting to Dyker Heights from Midtown takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour each way, depending on your route and train timing — but trust me, it’s so worth it!
    • Directions: From Midtown Manhattan, take the D train (orange line) from stations like Bryant Park – 42nd St, Herald Square – 34th St, or Columbus Circle – 59th St heading downtown (toward Coney Island–Stillwell Ave). Get off at 79th Street Station in Brooklyn. From there, it’s about a 15–20 minute walk (about 0.8 miles) to the heart of the Dyker Heights light displays – between 83rd and 86th Streets, from 11th to 13th Avenues.
• Brooklyn Botanical Gardens – The Brooklyn Botanic Garden turns into a magical light trail at Christmas — glowing tunnels, twinkling trees, and cozy cocoa stops. It’s festive, family-friendly, and totally worth grabbing tickets early! Parking is SUPER limited.

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The Best Christmas Trees in NYC

• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
• Bryant Park Winter Village Tree -Bryant Park, 40th–42nd Streets & 5th/6th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
• Lotte New York Palace Tree – 455 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022
• New York Stock Exchange Tree – 11 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
• Washington Square Park Tree – Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, New York, NY 10012
• South Street Seaport Christmas Tree – 19 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree – 1000 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10028
• American Museum of Natural History Origami Tree – Central Park West & 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
• Radio City Music Hall Christmas Tree – 1260 6th Avenue (at 50th Street), New York, NY 10020
• Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Holiday Tree / Light Displays – 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
• New York Public Library Christmas Tree – 476 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
• Tunnel Christmas Tree – Midtown Manhattan (specific location near 5th Ave & 42nd Street tunnel, NY, NY 10036)
• FOX News Christmas Tree – 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036
• Bloomberg Tower Christmas Tree – 731 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
• Madison Square Park Christmas Tree – Madison Square Park, 23rd Street & Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
• The Tree at Swarovski’s 5th Avenue Flagship – 680 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
  

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Must-See Christmas Markets

• Winter Village at Bryant Park – Shopping Booths, Viral Food Stalls, Ice Skating, and a gorgeous tree! This is the most crowded of all the holiday markets. I recommend starting here early – especially if you’re to try some of the viral food stalls. Expect huge crowds after dark and the closer to Christmas you visit.
• Union Square Holiday Market – This market is heavy on artisan booths and food stalls. Expect crowds. No skating rink or tree.
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market – Expect plenty of artisan booths and tasty food stalls at Columbus Circle. There’s no ice skating rink here, but you can head just a few steps away to Wollman Rink in Central Park for some classic holiday skating.
• Grand Central Holiday Fair – Indoor market located in the Grand Central Terminal.
• Herald Holiday Market & Macy’s Holiday Market – Swing by Herald Square to explore the Holiday Market, and while you’re there, don’t miss Macy’s iconic window displays and the indoor market with its festive booths.
  • Santaland: Returns on Nov. 28, 2026. 8th floor of Macy’s.
  • Holiday Lane: 9th floor of Macy’s (take the historic wooden escalators!)

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Christmas Themed Restaurants & Bars

Midtown Manhattan

• Papillon Bistro & Bar – 22 East 54th Street
  • No reservations in December; perfect for early evening cocktails.
• VALERIE – 45 West 45th Street
  • Reservations recommended; great for classy pre-theater drinks.
• Ophelia’s Snow Globe in the Sky – 3 Mitchell Place
  • Reservations recommended; immersive snow globe experience.
• Frosty’s Christmas Pop-Up Bar – 220 W 44th Street
  • Walk-up; ideal for a festive Midtown photo-op and cocktails.
• Haven Ski Chalet (Sanctuary Hotel rooftop) – 132 W 47th Street
  • Reservations recommended; rooftop ski-lodge vibes and skyline views.

Bryant Park & Nearby

• The Lodge – Winter Village at Bryant Park
  • Walk-up; enjoy cocktails inside the Winter Village lodge.
• Rolf’s German Restaurant – 281 3rd Avenue (Gramercy, short subway ride from Midtown)
  • Reservations highly recommended; over-the-top Christmas décor and hearty German fare.

Gramercy & Flatiron

• Pete’s Tavern – 129 East 18th Street
  • Reservations optional; cozy NYC’s oldest operating bar.
• Oscar Wilde – 45 West 27th Street
  • Reservations recommended; elegant, slightly dramatic holiday décor.

Times Square & Union Square

• Lillie’s Victorian Establishment – 249 W 49th Street (Times Square) or 13 E 17th Street (Union Square)
  • Reservations recommended; Victorian-inspired décor, festive cocktails.
• Tavern on the Green – Central Park West & 67th Street (just west of Union Square via subway)
  • Reservations recommended; iconic, twinkling holiday lights, and seasonal dining.

Lower Manhattan / Brooklyn

• Loreley Beer Garden – 7 Rivington Street, Lower East Side
  • Reservations recommended; German-inspired festive décor and hearty drinks.
• Great Jones Whiskey Wonderland – 686 Broadway, NoHo
  • Reservations recommended; creative cocktails in a winter wonderland setting.
• Miracle on Union – 595 Union Avenue, East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
  • Reservations recommended; full-on Christmas-themed pop-up bar experience.
• Miracle on 9th Street at The Cabinet – 649 East 9th Street, Alphabet City
  • Reservations recommended; East Village holiday cocktail immersion.
• Jingle Bell Book & Candle – 141 W 10th Street, West Village
  • Walk-up; cozy, whimsical décor with seasonal drinks.
• Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Watermark – Pier 15, Seaport
  • Reservations recommended; family-friendly festive décor and holiday cocktails.

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Festive Ice Skating Spots

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

• 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown Manhattan
• Opens October 11, 2025
• Tickets from $22, skate rental ~$12
• Hours: 8:30 AM – Midnight
• Book here → rockefellercenter.com
• Iconic NYC skating under the famous Christmas tree. Go early or late evening for the best photos!

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

• Between 40th & 42nd Streets, 5th & 6th Avenues
• October 24, 2025 – March 1, 2026
• Free admission with your own skates; rentals $18–$60
• Hours: 8 AM – 10 PM (midnight on weekends)
• Reserve here → bryantpark.org
• Free entry, festive lights, and 170+ holiday market booths right beside the rink.

Wollman Rink – Central Park

• 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065
• Opens ~October 26, 2025
• Adults $15–$38, kids around $10, skate rentals around $12
• Hours vary daily; check → wollmanrinknyc.com
• Classic Central Park views with skyline backdrops – one of NYC’s most scenic rinks.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside – Prospect Park

• 171 East Drive, Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY 11215
• Open seasonally, indoor & outdoor
• Weekdays ~$10.60, weekends ~$15.25, rentals ~$10.35
• Hours: Daily (check website)
• Info → prospectpark.org/lakeside
• Family-friendly Brooklyn favorite with two rinks and a cozy café.

Glide (Roebling Rink) at Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Emily Warren Roebling Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Late November 2025 – March 1, 2026
• $10 adults, $7 youth, rentals ~$7
• Mon–Fri 12–9 PM; Sat 9 AM–9 PM; Sun 10 AM–8 PM
• Tickets → glidebk.com
• Unbeatable Manhattan skyline views — a newer but gorgeous addition to NYC’s skating scene.

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Bonus Info

Best Hot Chocolate & Coffee Stops Along the Way

• Glace – Viral S’mores Hot Chocolate
• No Chewing Allowed – A must-try at the Holiday Markets
• Max Brenner – Chocolate EVERYTHING
• Jacques Torres – Signature hot chocolate and large chocolate chip cookies
• La Maison du Chocolat – Luxurious cup
• Dominique Ansel Bakery – Blooming marshmallow
• Serendipity 3 – Frozen Hot Chocolate
• Ralph’s Coffee Truck – Located on the backside of Rockefeller and across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Culture Espresso – A great cup of coffee + and amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie

Other Fun Stops Along the Way

• Wander around FAO Schwartz – and check out the view of Rockefeller Center by the Giant Piano
• Visit the Lego Store and see their incredible displays
• See The Holiday Train in Grand Central Station
• Visit Harry Potter Shop New York
• Visit the Empire State Building
• Visit the Statue of Liberty or take a Cocoa and Caroling Cruise. Into History? This Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour is great!
• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
• Visit the Museum of Natural History
• Grab a meal at Ellen’s Stardust Diner and enjoy the insane musical performance
• Visit the 9/11 Museum
• Visit the Ghostbusters Headquarters & stop for pancakes around the corner at Bubby’s – one of our favorites!
• Rainy day? Rollerskate inside the Oculus at the Winter Whirl or see a Christmas movie at The Metrograph.
• See the Holiday Lights via Carriage Ride
• Foodie? Try one of these Food Tours: Chinatown & Little Italy, Greenwich Village, or the NYC Mafia and Local Food Tour.
• Stroll The High Line
• Check out the Starbucks Reserve for exclusive drinks and cocktails.
• See a show on Broadway
• Grab a slice of Pizza at Prince Street Pizza and head across the street for a slice of cake from Little Cupcake Bakeshop (home of the award-winning Brooklyn Blackout).

Wrapping Up…

Okay, so I have to be honest, this post took me WAY longer to write than I expected! But that’s the thing about NYC during the holidays – there’s just so much to see, do, eat, and experience that narrowing it down felt nearly impossible. After 10 years of visiting, we’ve collected so many memories (and photos!) and I’m excited to share some of my favorites below. Looking back, I can see how each year’s trip looked different and changed as my kids have gotten older. It’s been pure magic!

If all of this has you dreaming of your own New York Christmas adventure, I’d truly love to help make it happen! Whether you want me to plan every detail and book your perfect trip, or if you prefer to self-book, I’ve linked my favorite tours and hotels throughout this post so you can plan easily while still supporting my small business. So take a look at the photos, soak in the magic, and when you’re ready to go…let’s make it happen! Feel free to reach out anytime. ❤️

My Favorite NYC Tours at Christmas

My Favorite NYC Tours

My Favorite Hotels in NYC at Christmas

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