Everything you should know about Christmas in the Big Apple
Author Sanel Huskanvovic / Category Christmas in New York /
I think New York is the only city in the world that everyone recognizes at first glance. The glorious metropolis has been featured in endless Christmas movies and television shows - so frequently that those who don't live in the city often feel like they've spent every Christmas gazing at the Rockefeller Center tree, ice skating at Central or window shopping on Fifth Avenue.
I can immediately think of numerous parks, shops, restaurants, bars, rooftops and tons of other things that take your breath away in New York at Christmas time and make you never want to leave them.
Regardless of whether you are visiting the Big Apple for the first time during the holiday season or have perhaps had the opportunity to experience its magic before, New Yorkers have no shortage of ideas and imagination to create something new and magical and this year you should definitely don't miss these things.
The most beautiful Christmas trees in New York
No matter which area of New York City you find yourself in during the holiday season, you're sure to be impressed by the festive lights and decorations, and each of these areas has a beautifully decorated tree. Here are the must-see Christmas trees, many with lighting ceremonies around New York City during the 2023 holiday season.
- Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
The most celebrated of all Christmas trees in the world, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. A classic New York City destination for tourists and residents. The 2023 Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Rockefeller Plaza. The lights turn on around 9 p.m., so you should be at Rockefeller Center no later than 4 p.m. if you want to see it live. Every year, thousands crowd the streets for the event and millions more watch the live broadcast. The tree is located in the Plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues and will remain there until January 7, 2023.
- Bryant Park Winter Village
Every year, a celebrity guest reads an original Christmas story to the crowd. As the story unfolds, the characters are brought to life by world-class skaters who perform on the ice under the stars in the Midtown cityscape. The tension rises until the finale: the tree is lit up, surrounded by fireworks. The annual tree lighting ceremony takes place in the first week of December. Afterwards, visitors can ice skate and shop for free in the Winter Village. Bryant Park is located on Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets.
- The Christmas tree on Wall Street
The New York Stock Exchange Christmas tree at 11 Wall Street has been a tradition in downtown New York since 1923, with the 100th anniversary in 2023. The lighting ceremony begins with holiday performances that include the Radio City Rockettes. The tree will be officially lit at 5 p.m. on November 30th.
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More great Christmas trees
- Christmas tree at South Street Seaport - 89 South St, New York, NY 10038
- Lincoln Square Christmas Tree - 1998 Broadway, New York, New York 10023
- Park Avenue Christmas Trees - Park Ave between 54th and 97th Streets
- Lotte New York Palace Hotel - 455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
- The Plaza Hotel - 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
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"There's no better place to be at Christmas than New York City." Mike Roth
Magical Christmas window decoration
Storefront at Barneys New York on Madison Ave.
Whether at the world's largest department store Macy's, the most beautifully decorated facade on the planet at Saks Fifth Ave or Cartier, the noble jeweler, the shop windows look magical and the department stores are racing and spending millions of US dollars to attract customers to their stores lure. Here are just a few of the shop windows that you should be enchanted and inspired by.
- Macy's - Herald Square - 151 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
- Bloomingdale's - 1000 Third Avenue 59th Street and, Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022
- Bergdorf Goodman - 754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
- Saks Fifth Avenue - 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
My tip - Dyker Heigts' Christmas lights tour is the icing on the cake of your Christmas visit to New York. Save the tour for a day or two before the end of your visit.
Every December, under the shadow of the Verrazano Bridge, a small community in Brooklyn put on a Christmas spectacle that surpasses even Rockefeller Center. When Lucy Spata first moved into the neighborhood thirty-one years ago, she was the only resident who felt the Christmas spirit. Some neighbors disapproved of their Christmas enthusiasm and did everything they could to put an end to their Christmas lights. One resident even called the police. New Yorker Spata took the jab as a challenge, saying it would only add to her Christmas enthusiasm. So she hired a brass band. The more her neighbors complained, the more Spata added. In the years since the initial resistance, most of the naysayers have left the neighborhood and eager Christmas lovers have taken their place. Today this area is famous for its excessive Christmas lights.
The 5 most beautiful Christmas markets in New York
From mid-November to January, there are Christmas markets throughout the city selling jewelry, clothing, crafts, and more. If you don't want to do much shopping, go for the atmosphere, many markets offer fantastic food and warm drinks.
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Columbus Circle Holiday Market - Address : West 59th Street and Broadway
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Bryant Park Winter Village - Address: Bryant Park, 40th to 42nd Streets between 5th and 6th Ave.
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Union Square Holiday Market - Address : Union Square on 14th Street
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Grand Central Holiday Fair - Address : Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall (42nd St. and Park Ave.)
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QUEENS Christmas Market - Address : Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue between 29th and 31st Streets, Astoria, Queens
You can find more information and a detailed description of the Christmas markets here.
Radio City Christmas Spectcular with Rockettes
An annual tradition since 1933, this classic Christmas spectacle features tap dancers, a flying Santa Claus and, of course, the Rockettes' world-famous synchronized precision dance. And that's not all: If the New York City Ballet's popular production of The Nutcracker doesn't have enough camels on stage for you, then check out this show. Here you will find everything you need to know.
When is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular 2023?
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular runs from November 9, 2018 to January 1, 2019.
Where is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular 2023?
The Radio City Christmas Spectacle is located at Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center. Take the B, D, F or M subway to 47.-50. / Rockefeller Center or the 1 to 50th St./Broadway line.
You can find out more about the Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes and how you can get tickets cheaper last minute by CLICKING here
Ice skating under the skyline lights
In many ways, gliding along ice is the closest we humans can get to flying without leaving the ground. Convince yourself of this theory and where better than in New York, in the middle of the skyscrapers. Here are my four favorites.
- The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center - Probably the most famous ice skating rink in New York, and for good reason: A spin on the ice rink at Rockefeller always feels magical, especially during the holiday season. No wonder so many people here like to lie on their butts under the golden statue of Prometheus.
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Wollman Rink in Central Park - Wollman Rink is beautifully situated between the trees on the southern edge of Central Park, with an iconic cityscape rising in the background, reality merging with fantasy in this place. Go on Friday and Saturday nights when the rink stays open late and imagine the lights from the surrounding buildings are constellations.
- The Rink at Brookfield Place - 230 Vesey Street New York, NY. At the seasonal ice rink at Brookfield Place, you can skate while watching the actual ice on the Hudson River and overlooking the Statue of Liberty in the distance. When you've had enough of ice skating, you can warm up at the food court, which is much better than it sounds with bagels, burgers, hot chocolate and more.
- Winter Village at Bryant Park - Bryant Park's ever-popular ice skating rink is surrounded by its annual Christmas market, so you'll get the biggest thrill here. Bring extra time, you will lose all sense of time while browsing through the little houses.
Mulled wine at Rolf's
According to Business Insider, the restaurant's manager, Suhal Uddin, says the Christmas extravaganza costs the restaurant between $60,000 and $65,000 each year. As soon as you walk through the door you realize that this is no ordinary restaurant. It's spectacular. It has more than 5,000 ornaments and 150,000 lights.
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Author Sanel Huskanovic / Category Christmas Time in NYC / Published: Nov-13-2018