The Rockefeller Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit daily from 5 am to midnight after a special light-up night ceremony. On Christmas Eve, the tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5 am to 9 pm. The tree goes dark for the season in mid-January.
This year’s tree was selected from Massachusetts. This Norway Spruce weighs 11 tons, its 74 feet tall and 43 feet wide. More than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights wrap around the towering tree. It’s topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind that weighs 900 pounds and sparkles with 3 million crystals.
The Grand Central: New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Train Show
The New York Transit Museum within Grand Central Terminal features its annual Holiday Train Show. The 34-foot-long display, features miniature versions of city landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building and the Grand Central.
The Holiday Train Show is on view at Grand Central Terminal through February 2025.
Its free and open Monday-Friday, 10am-7:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm; and closed major holidays.
https://grandcentralterminal.com/event/new-york-transit-museums-holiday-train-show
Columbus Circle: Holiday Under the Stars
The seasonal spectacle at The Shops at Columbus Circle has been pumped up, with 300,000 shimmering lights, 3,000 feet of garland and 44 LED stars.
The daily light shows run every half hour from 5pm to 11pm.
Free Broadway performances are scheduled for December 5,12, and 19 from 5 to 6 pm.
https://www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com/holiday-under-the-stars-2024/
Columbus Circle: The World’s Largest Gingerbread Village
The four-tiered gingerbread village, crafted by Chef Jon Lovitch, the Guiness World Record titleholder for the largest edible gingerbread village, is on display from November 19th to January 5th.
On January 10th, when the show closes, it’ll be given away for free to whoever wants it.
https://www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com/events/gingerbread-lane-village-workshops/
LINCOLN SQUARE: Magical Lights
The nightly experience features hundreds of spectacular lights that hang from the branches of the trees surrounding Dante and Richard Tucker Parks and twinkle to the rhythm of a beat. The Magical Lights at Dante Park will dance to the recordings from Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Metropolitan Opera.
https://www.centralpark.com/events/magical-lights-holiday-installation-at-lincoln-square-dante-park
The Meatpacking District: Holiday Lights
Lights on the Cobbles, the holiday lights installation, runs from December 13 to mid-January.
Meatpacking’s first ever holiday installation includes an electrified colonnade covered in 1762’ feet of neon rope lighting, lit reeds and rows of mirrors, geometric snowpeople, frozen dandelion lights in planters all along our cobblestone plazas.
This year’s new edition is the Gansevoort Forest. The Gansevoort Plaza will be transformed into a lush woodland wonderland with meandering pathways lined with Eastern White Pines, Norway Spruces, Red Maples, River Birches, Hemlocks, and Red Dogwoods.
https://meatpacking-district.com/lights-on-the-cobbles
Oculus: Winter Whirl
Roller skate your way through the iconic Oculus, surrounded by festive holiday music and good cheer. The indoor Whirl Roller Rink, presented by Sonic the Hedgehog 3 runs through Sunday, January 5,
Opening hours (closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day):
– Wednesday & Thursday: 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
– Friday & Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
– Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:00 p.m. on December 24 & 31)
https://www.officialworldtradecenter.com/en/local/things-to-do/events/westfield-winter-whirl.html
Holiday Cocktail Crawl runs December 1 – 24
Order (2) tropical holiday-inspired cocktails from any of the participating restaurants to receive an At-Home Cocktail Kit ($30 Value!)*. Guest must be 21 years old or older to participate.
PARTICIPATING BROOKFIELD PLACE RESTAURANTS: Tartinery, Seamore’s, Le District, Sixpoint, All’Antico Vinaio, Parm
https://bfplny.com/event/santas-sandcastle/
Brookfield Place: Santa’s Sandcastle
Get transported into a warm, tropical oasis and step into Santa’s Sandcastle.
Other free events include waterfront ice skating, selfies with Santa, a tropical holiday cocktail crawl, and live performances of The Nutcracker, by the New York Theatre Ballet.
Holiday Harbor Lights Cruise
Circle Line’s Holiday Harbor Lights Cruise runs from November 29 through January 5. Boats decorated for Christmas will take you around the Hudson River. You’ll admire the breathtaking views of iconic landmarks, from Hudson Yards to One World Trade Center, and get up close to the Statue of Liberty.
The cruise departs each day at 7pm and lasts 2 hours.
https://www.circleline.com/sightseeing-cruises/harbor-lights
Pier 15: Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Watermark
Whimsical waterfront Holiday installation along with dining and entertainment options for kids and adults alike! With General Admission you get a fully outdoor experience with complimentary hot chocolate (regular or boozy). With reserve seating in the Magical and illuminated Heated Glasshouses you have holiday dinner, cocktails and sweet treats.
Runs from November 8th to December 31st.
NoHo: Great Jones Whiskey Wonderland
The speakeasy is transformed it into a Whiskey Wonderland for the holidays. The holiday spirit is demonstrated through Great Jones bespoke cocktails and small seasonal bites and festive atmosphere.
Starting November 14, 2024, open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through January, 11 2025.
Thursday-Saturday: 6-10pm
Restaurants/Bars specially decorated for Christmas
Midtown
Flatiron District
Downtown
Stunning Christmas window displays in NYC to see this year
Macy’s Herald Square
This year, it’s theme “Gifts We Love” features animated and interactive vignettes with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons and designs created by its partners at Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Bloomingdale’s
This year, in keeping with the movie theme, the facade is Wicked-themed.
Bergdorf Goodman’s
The theme, “Toast of the Town,” highlights several aspects of Fifth Avenue’s legacy across its windows: its parks and foliage, its hustle and bustle, the New York Public Library, sightseeing, Bergdorf Goodman’s fashion (of course), street signs, window shopping, walking tours, and its holiday parades.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Fashion takes center stage in the windows, spotlighting exquisite, pastel-colored designs, reminiscent of a trove of festive macarons, from highly coveted designers such as Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, LOEWE and more, against a wintry, crystalline backdrop.
Christmas Quest from QuestoApp
This quest is Christmas themed. You’ll see the iconic Christmas spots and learn Christmas stories.
Walk around holiday-decked New York with a cup of hot chocolate and Romantic Christmas: Mystery of a Lost Lover, New York
Leave a Reply