HOLIDAY HOT SPOTS
Find only-in-NYC holiday cheer with this curated guide to festive spots, both iconic and under-the radar. Many are free, and some are weather-proof.
Also see our complete NYC holiday guide and decor map (plus our insta for more faves).
MIDTOWN - 50s
🎄 Midtown has the most iconic decor - and the biggest crowds. Try to get to the famous tree at Rockefeller Center early and/or on a weekday (there's a great view from the second floor of FAO Schwarz) and browse or buy at interactive shops or take a spin on the iconic rink.
🎄 Check out oversized decor on Sixth Ave and maybe see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
🎄 Stop by the Paley Center for holiday screenings & Santa, MoMA for a real snowman, stylish bathrooms and a great gift shop (no ticket needed for the first floor) on your way to the dazzling windows on Fifth Ave - don't miss the new sparkly rainbow tree at Swarovski on Fifth. Catch the Saks Light Show after 4:30 pm.
🎄 Festive hotels open to all include the stunning tree at the Lotte New York Palace and free candy in a cute Sweet Shoppe at the gorgeous Peninsula. The Plaza lobby is open to guests only, so book an Eloise Tea if you're feeling fancy, or get the same vibe for free with a designer Santa and animatronic polar bears at Bergdorfs. Stop by the Papillon Bistro & Bar for extravagant decor and French bites.
MIDTOWN - 40s
🎄 Find fun food and shopping at Bryant Park's Winter Village, plus free ice skating, a towering tree and outdoor Santa visits. See the wreathed lions in front and a gorgeous tree indoors at the New York Public Library.
🎄 Shop indoors at the Grand Central Fair and check out the New York Transit Museum's Holiday Train Show.
🎄 Choose from an array of holiday shows including hour-long My First Nutcracker and Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas. Broadway shows are always fun, though harder to find deals for during tourist season - maybe stop by the box office for no-fees on an excellent stocking stuffer (see our detailed guide to kid-friendly shows).
🎄 Contribute to the confetti that will accompany the Times Square ball drop at the NYE Wishing Wall, and, through Dec 22, pose with the giant 2024 Numbers.
COLUMBUS CIRCLE - LINCOLN CENTER
✨ Shop and eat indoors under a rainbow light show or outdoors at a European-style market.
✨ Catch snow shows with Santa at festively decorated Nordstroms at 2 pm & 6 pm daily. On select days, see Santa at an Italian marketplace (with free cookies and hot cocoa).
✨ Get some holiday culture a few blocks north at Lincoln Center - choose from the fanciest Nutcracker, kid-friendly opera and/or the local circus.
✨ Interact with sparkly trees at Lincoln Square’s Magical Lights and see a free exhibit and shop adorable homemade gifts at the American Folk Art Museum. Walk up Columbus for more museum gift shops plus holiday trains at the New York Historical Society and an origami tree at the Natural History Museum.
UPPER EAST SIDE
🎄Head into the park for scenic ice skating and an exhibit of inventive wreaths.
🎄Visit a less-crowded Santa at Wonka-themed Bloomingdales. Look for a stunning tree in a rainbow courtyard and a striking blue nutcracker.
🎄Check out festive windows on Madison on your way to more decorated brownstones and a Christmas village in a parking garage. Get adorable holiday treats and hot cocoa at pink Eat Pretty UES.
🎄Take an indoor break at the Met and find interesting animals and characters at the Neapolitan Christmas tree & creche (plus a great gift shop).
🎄Head north to admire edible iconic New York winter scenes in Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off at the Museum of the City of New York. Central Park's Conservatory Garden across the street is magical if we get snow (and even without the white stuff).
CHELSEA
⛄️ Find stylish snowmen and other whimsical displays at Meatpacking's Lights On The Cobbles.
⛄️ Visit a giant Gingerbread Lane at sparkly Chelsea Market.
☃️ Millions of lights and hot air balloons bedazzle at Hudson Yards, where Santa stops by on weekday evenings.
⛄️ Don wizard robes and Santa hats to craft a custom drink at the Cauldron’s Magical Hot Chocolate Experience.
⛄️ Touch a giant minimalistic geometric structure to create light patterns at Flatiron Plaza's holiday installation.
FIDI
✨Seaport hosts Santa’s Winter Wonderland on a pier plus an elaborate Gingerbread City Pop-Up with all-ages workshops. Eat & shop at Jean George's Tin Building.
✨ Find rainbow lights and a waterfront ice rink at Brookfield Place, now hosting Selfies with Santa. Take a weatherproof tunnel to an indoor roller rink among festive decor, light projections and shiny snowmen in the striking Oculus.
✨ Go through the glowing trees in Zuccotti Park to the 78-foot New York Stock Exchange tree, lit up red and green along with the iconic columns.
BROOKLYN
🪩 Festive decor at Industry City includes a photo-op with dozens of retro snowman, inflatable hanging reindeer and shiny oversized ornaments galore. Ice skate on a small rink in a pretty courtyard, with visits from an Ice Princess and Silly Snowman and Santa on weekend mornings. Also play Ping Pong, Skeeball, air hockey and arcade style games in a colorful retro-style game room.
🪩 Skate with a view at the new Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park, then drop a letter off in Santa's Mailbox by the Dumbo Tree. Shop at the FAD Market Holiday Pop-Up and eat at Time Out Market. From 4-10 pm, look for Dumbo Holiday Projections animating walls in the neighborhood.
🪩 Celebrate the beauty of nature in winter on an enchanting trail animated by over one million dazzling lights at Brooklyn Botanical Garden's Lightscape.
BRONX
🚂 The delightful NYBG Holiday Train Show is back with a new outdoor display. Stick around on select evenings for the dazzling NYBG Glow.
🚂 Embark on an illuminated safari with animal lanterns, animated sculptures, and colorful designs plus enjoy s'mores, performances and more at Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo.
🚂 Pick up provisions for holiday feasts at nearby Arthur Avenue.
Find more festivities in our complete holiday guide, plus outings outside NYC. Happy holidays!