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Christmas in the Big Apple is truly one of those experiences you have to have in your lifetime. The unsleeping city of New York is pretty magical all throughout the year, but during Christmas, the city shines brighter than ever with festive cheer and joy. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in New York at Christmas, here are some things you have to partake in.
Absolutely! Christmas is one of the best times of the year to visit New York. In addition to the Big Apple’s already magical aura, you’re bound to find holiday-special things to do during Christmas in NYC at every corner you turn.
You’re going to be spoilt for choices with how many things to do during Christmas in NYC there are. You can catch a holiday-special Broadway show, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, or join carolers under the Washington Square Arch. For something special, join a Christmas Eve dinner cruise or catch the sunset at the Empire State Building.
Christmas in NYC is typically cold, around 30 to 40°F (-1 to 4°C). Pack a heavy coat, scarf, and gloves—especially if you plan to spend time at outdoor attractions like Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue lights.
Yes, the holiday season is one of the busiest times in New York, especially around popular sites like Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue. To experience the magic without the peak crowds, visit major attractions early in the morning or later in the evening.
The Bryant Park Winter Village is New York’s most popular Christmas market. From October to early January, this market offers holiday gifts, artisan crafts, delicious treats, and a free ice rink. Union Square and Columbus Circle also host great holiday markets, perfect for picking up unique gifts.
Many popular restaurants like Red Rooster and Le Jardinier are open on Christmas day, and they even offer special festive menus for you to peruse!
New York’s hotels ace the festive décor game every year by decking themselves up with Christmassy décor. The best hotels in New York to really feel the Christmas spirit are the Ritz Carlton, Lotte New York Palace, The Plaza and Mandarin Oriental.
With New York’s food being an amalgam of every culture imaginable, Christmas is no exception. Most people in New York prefer dining out on Christmas day, indulging in the Italian-American tradition of the Feast of Seven Fishes or eating Chinese food.
The best restaurants in New York for Christmas grub are Kimika, Rolo’s, Fogo de Chao, and COTE Korean Steakhouse.
For unforgettable Christmas lights, head to Rockefeller Center, the Saks Fifth Avenue light show, and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, where entire homes are decked out in extravagant displays. Washington Square Park and Central Park also feature charming seasonal lights, ideal for an evening stroll.
New York is known for holiday traditions like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, and elaborate window displays along Fifth Avenue. You can also enjoy ice skating at iconic rinks, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and caroling at Washington Square Park.
NYC starts celebrating early! Bryant Park Winter Village kicks off October 25, followed by Union Square and Columbus Circle markets in mid-November. Macy’s Christmas Windows light up on November 14, and the Rockefeller Tree lighting on December 4 signals the full start of the season.
Suitable for all ages
The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® returns to New York’s Radio City Music Hall, marking the Rockettes’ centennial season. This production features nine numbers showcasing the group’s signature precision dance style, dazzling costumes, and spectacular stage effects. Audiences can expect timeless scenes such as the Wooden Soldiers and Living Nativity, re-imagined alongside digital projections, holographic Santa moments, and festive new choreography. Beyond the performance, the 100-year celebration includes on-site activations and commemorative merchandise, making this year’s edition more than just a show; it’s a historic holiday event in New York City.
This year’s Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® marks 100 years of the Rockettes’ legacy, blending classic numbers like the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” with dazzling new staging. It’s a festive journey through music, dance, and holiday magic that honors tradition while celebrating a century of precision and sisterhood.
Show timings for Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
{notes text="Note: Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays."}
Your favourite songs from this Christmas extravaganza, such as Santa’s Gonna Rock and Roll, Overture, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, and Welcome Christmas, along with many more, are awaiting you to bring in this season’s mood.
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Radio City Music Hall is known to be the largest indoor theatre in the world. It has a seating capacity of 5,960, with seats in the Pit, Orchestra, and three elevated Mezzanine levels. The Art Deco-style music hall was designed by Edward Durell Stone and Donald Deskey. Legendary actors like Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, and Katharine Hepburn have had their films staged in the Hall. Nowadays, though, the Radio City Music Hall premiers only a select few films and is largely used for stage shows, concerts, and special events. Over the years, the Hall has staged performances by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, BB King, the Radio City Rockettes, Celine Dion, and others. It has also hosted the Grammys, the Tonys, the MTV Video Music Awards, and many such prestigious events.
The Radio City Music Hall seating chart will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, USA.
Tube: The nearest tube station is 47-50th Streets - Rockefeller Center Station.
Bus: Some of the buses that stop near the Radio City Music Hall are M104, M42, M10, M6, and M27/50.
Available facilities: Water Fountain, Elevators, Restrooms, Concession Stands
Accessibility: hearing assistance, access performances, Wheelchair Spaces, Hearing Assistance, Accessible Toilets, Service Animals Allowed, Access Performances
Q- What age is the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® show appropriate for?
A- The show does not have a strict age limit. It is suitable for all ages.
Q- Where is the show playing in New York?
A- The show is playing at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Q- How long does the show run for?
A- The running time of the show is 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission(s).
Q- What is the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® about?
A- The show is a brilliant holiday blend of dance, music and merriment that tells the story of two boys attempting to buy a Christmas gift for their sister when they meet Santa and travel to the North Pole.
Q- What are the popular songs in the show?
A- The show features a range of winter songs to enthral audiences. Listen to top songs such as ‘Overture’ and ‘Santa’s Gonna Rock and Roll’ along with a host of songs written especially for Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes®. You can find the playlist here.
Q- Are there any special effects I should know about?
A- Yes, the show uses confetti, flashing lights, smoke effects, drones and holographic elements in some scenes.
Experience the festive magic of New York by hopping on this Christmas lights bus tour with a live guide.
Inclusions
3 to 4-hour non-stop New York Christmas lights bus tour
Live guide
Guided walking tour of Dyker Heights
Complimentary hot chocolate & cookie or a 15-minute stop at DUMBO (based on option selected)
USB charging ports
Exclusions
Departure: 4:30pm Frequency: Once every evening Duration: 3 hours
Departure: 4pm & 4:15pm Frequency: Once every evening Duration: 4 hours
New York Botanical Garden with timed entry tickets, featuring the "Van Gogh’s Flowers" exhibition.
Inclusions
Entry to the garden
Van Gogh’s Flowers (May 24 to October 26, 2025)
Access to all exhibits, including Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
Narrated Tram Tour
Exclusions
Inclusions
2-hr harbor lights cruise
English-speaking live guide
Audio commentary in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean
Onboard Wi-Fi
Inclusions
Access to the outdoor viewing deck on the 86th floor
High-power binoculars
Art Deco lobby access
Free Wi-Fi
Indoor viewing deck on the 102nd floor with fewer crowds (based on option selected)
Visit the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere and skip ticket lines.
Inclusions
Access to:
Indoor observation deck on Level 100
Outdoor sky deck with angled walls
Glass Floor, Skyline Steps, and Eastern Point
Flexible entry (as per option selected)
Priority access (as per option selected)
Overlook NYC landmarks from three vantage points, with the highest at 850 feet above street level.
Inclusions
Timed entry to Top of the Rock
Access to the 6th, 69th, and 70th floor
The Beam experience (as per option selected)
VIP Pass (as per option selected)
Exclusions
Save big with this 5-choice combo – Enjoy bus rides + entry to your NYC attraction picks.
Inclusions New York HOHO
1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
Access to the Downtown route
Audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese & Italian
Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Round-trip ferry transfers from Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park
Priority entry at the Screening Facility Queue for the ferry
Self-guided audio tour of Liberty Island & Ellis Island in English, French, German, Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Access to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty Museum, National Immigration Museum at Ellis Island
New York City Sightseeing Cruise
90-minute sightseeing cruise
10-minute photo opportunity at the Statue of Liberty
Onboard English-speaking guide
Onboard photographer
Snack bar & onboard activities
Empire State Building
Access to the outdoor viewing deck on the 86th floor
Access to Art Deco lobby
High-power binoculars
Free Wi-Fi
SUMMIT Experience
Entry to SUMMIT Experience
Access to all 3 floors and immersive experiences
Access to Apres eatery & cafe
Edge NYC
Entry to Edge NYC
Access to:
Indoor observation deck on Level 100
The Glass Floor, Angled Glass Walls, The Skyline Seats & The Eastern Point
The highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere
Sky Assurance Weather Guarantee Offer
Exclusions Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Access to Ellis Island's Hard Hat Tour
Access to the State of Liberty Pedestal & Crown
SUMMIT Experience
New York Hop-on Hop-off Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points. You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket. Downtown Route (Red Route)
Inclusions Museum of Broadway
Empire State Building
Entry to the Empire State Building
Classic open-air views of NYC
Outdoor viewing deck on the 86th floor
High-power binoculars
Art Deco lobby access
Free Wi-Fi
Museum of Broadway
Empire State Building
Tip: Plan ahead by checking sunset timings and arrive at the observation deck at least 30 minutes early for a picture-perfect sunset view.
Inclusions Museum of Broadway
Edge Observation Deck
Entry to Edge Observatory Deck at the time slot selected
Access to:
Indoor observation deck on Level 100
Outdoor sky deck with angled walls
Glass Floor, Skyline Steps, and Eastern Point
Bonus digital souvenir
Museum of Broadway
Edge Observation Deck
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
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