New York City is a magical place during the holidays, and if you are considering a Christmas in New York, it is best to start planning early! Look at the list of things to see below, and the recommended itinerary at the end of this article. Enjoy!
I live in New York City and look forward to the holiday season every year! If you enjoy pretty decorations and lights, you’ll love everything about Christmas in New York!
Where are the Best Christmas Lights in New York City?
If you want to stay within the city limits for holiday fun, here are the best spots in New York during the Christmas season suitable for everyone:
1. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree is a must-see in Manhattan! In 2023, the tree was an 80-foot-tall Norway Spruce from Vestal, New York. For 2024, a 74-foot Norway Spruce was brought from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts – the first tree from that state since 1959.
Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting 2024 and Schedule: The 93rd Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on December 4th, just before 10 p.m.
How to see Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree: The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. On Christmas Eve, the tree is lit for 24 hours, and on New Year’s Eve, it is lit from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The tree will be up until mid-January.
Rockefeller Christmas Tree Location: The tree is at Rockefeller Center Plaza, on 49th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
TOUR: This popular Christmas in New York: Private Holiday Tour will take you through the best of Manhattan:
Or book this lovely New York City Holiday Lights Tour.
2. Bryant Park Winter Village
Bryant Park Winter Village is located behind the New York Public Library, between 40th and 42nd Streets, and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
This winter wonderland in Midtown Manhattan offers free-admission ice skating, a rinkside bar and food hall, and lots of holiday shops!
You can enjoy Bryant Park Winter Village’s free-admission skating until March 2025! The holiday shops, however, close in January 2025.
3. The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center
The New York City Ballet’s annual performance of George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” is a can’t-miss when celebrating a New York holiday season.
See the article I wrote with information about watching the performance during your visit to New York here.
Address: Lincoln Center, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
4. Saks Fifth Avenue Window Displays and Light Show
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show:
UPDATE NOVEMBER 2024: On November 11, 2024, Saks announced that their holiday light show will not be taking place this year.
For the last twenty years, Saks Fifth Avenue’s annual holiday light show was one of the most anticipated events in New York, offering locals and visiting guests a dazzling show above their iconic window displays.
Last December, Saks and Dior debuted together “Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks,” an outstanding work of art on its flagship store’s façade. That display with bright botanical flowers was up until January 5, 2024.
NEW “RALPH’S COFFEE” AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE FLAGSHIP
Ralph’s Coffee Holiday Shop arrived at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City in November and will be available until January 1, 2025. Shop around the store while enjoying a hot cup of coffee, matcha, or tea!
Address: 611 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022
5. Lotte New York Palace Christmas Tree
The Christmas Tree at the Lotte New York Palace is my favorite in New York City! It is usually up right before Thanksgiving.
As of November 22, 2024, the Lotte New York Palace’s Christmas tree has returned to its courtyard and can be visited in the hotel’s courtyard.
The WINTER BAR is open for holiday beverages from Wednesday to Friday 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Address: 455 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022
6. Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is a 1932 art deco theater in the heart of New York City, well known for hosting the Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes.
The holiday decorations by Radio City Musical Hall are iconic and you can’t miss them!
Address: 1260 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020
7. Ralph’s Coffee Truck
Right across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you will find Ralph’s Green Coffee Truck serving espresso, coffee, tea, muffins, and cookies! Their croissants and matcha latte with almond milk are my absolute favorites.
Address: Atlas Court on 5th Avenue.
8. The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel is a world-renowned hotel that offers luxurious lodging, fine dining, afternoon tea, and a champagne bar. In the photo above you can see their current holiday display!
HOLIDAY HOTEL STAY AT THE PLAZA: If you’d like to spend the holiday season at The Plaza Hotel, you can book a Home Alone 2: Escape to New York experience, or enjoy the ultimate holiday getaway by booking their special “Suitest Season of All” offer. Another option is celebrating New Year’s Eve at the hotel’s Champagne Bar, with unlimited champagne, a raw bar, and caviar.
READ NEXT: See my article about the Champagne Bar here.
HOLIDAY AFTERNOON TEA AT THE PLAZA: The Palm Court’s holiday menu is available from November 1st to December 31st, and it includes a selection of festive flavors, elegant canapés, and sandwiches, with a great selection of loose-leaf teas from their extensive collection.
Address: 768 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
BOOK: Room at The Plaza Hotel here.
9. Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion
Cartier is a luxury brand founded in 1847 specializing in jewelry and accessories. Over the years, their storefront has become quite the spectacle during the holiday season and a favorite photo opp for many who visit New York in December.
Here is a photo of their decorations for the 2023 holiday season.
Address: 653 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022
10. The Peninsula New York
Even New York hotels like to go all out during the holidays, and The Peninsula has some of the best holiday decorations in the city.
Address: 700 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
11. Hudson Yards Shopping Mall
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards illuminates the neighborhood with over two million twinkling lights! The holiday decorations and lights at this spot are a must-see!
Photos with Santa at Hudson Yards: You can take your children to take complimentary photos with Santa at Hudson Yards. This is available from 5-8 PM, from Monday to Friday, and it is free and open to the public. No RSVP is required!
Places to Eat: If you have time, have lunch or dinner at Queensyard overlooking the Vessel.
Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
12. Macy’s Flagship Store
Macy’s holiday windows at their Herald Square flagship location have been unveiled and will be displayed through January 1, 2025. How pretty are those wreaths bows?!
Address: 151 W 34ths St., New York, NY 10001
STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS
13. The New York Public Library
The New York Library is one of the most gorgeous buildings in New York City, and with 53 million items it is the second-largest public library in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world.
If you are in New York City for a while, stop by and see their iconic Rose Reading Room, or spend an afternoon with your favorite book – it’s beautiful.
Address: 476 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
14. Grand Central Station
I find Grand Central Terminal breathtaking, especially during the holiday season. when they put up the Christmas wreaths. It’s worth going just to admire the 125-foot ceiling painted in a distinctive shade of turquoise, or if you are looking to grab a bite check out the food hall downstairs, or Grand Brasserie, the new French restaurant that opened in the terminal in September 2024 (their crème brûlée is amazing).
Address: 89 E 42nd Street, New York, NY
15. Bloomberg Tower Christmas Tree
Bloomberg Towers opened in 2004 and houses Bloomberg’s headquarters in New York.
The beautiful tree at this location in Midtown Manhattan is not as well known as the other Christmas trees I mentioned above, but it is quite impressive at night!
The tree stands 40 feet and is decorated with 70,000 lights and 30 floating stars, with 21 trees around the base.
Address: 731 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
16. Upper East Side New York City
Along Madison Avenue, between 74th and 77th Street, you will find many homes with impressive holiday decorations like in the photo above!
See another decorated home in this recent post here.
Which is your favorite?!
Address: Madison Avenue, New York
17. Ralph’s Coffee at Ralph Lauren’s Flagship Store
After checking out the homes on Madison Avenue, walk 5 minutes north and stop at Ralph’s Coffee to enjoy a matcha latte, coffee, or a cappuccino, and their croissants (so good!). The holiday decor at this store is always a sight to see.
Address: 888 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021
18. Christmas Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
While a ticket is needed to attend Midnight Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, no tickets are required for the Christmas Day Masses on December 25th.
Christmas Day Masses: 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 12:00 Noon, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM (Spanish), 5:30 PM.
Address: 14 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022
Christmas in New York – Midtown Itinerary
Here is the Christmas in New York Itinerary that I recommend. I do it every year when friends and family visit during the holiday season. It is easy to follow, everyone loves it, and I enjoy it too.
- Start at The Plaza Hotel
- Walk four blocks south towards The Peninsula Hotel for a photo of their tree
- Continue three blocks south and stop across from Cartier on 5th Avenue
- Walk two blocks south towards St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Grab coffee at Ralph’s Coffee Truck
- Check out Saks Fifth Avenue’s Window Displays
- Make a right on 50th towards Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall
- Or make a left on 50th towards Lotte New York Palace’s Christmas Tree
- Optional: Walk nine blocks south to see the tree at The New York Public Library or enjoy free-admission ice skating at Bryant Park Winter Village
Christmas in New York – Map!
Here is a map that includes all the Christmas in New York spots that I mentioned in this article so that you can easily find each location:
More Things To Do in New York City
Book a Brooklyn Dyker Heights Christmas Tour, and you’ll see breathtaking light displays from 11th to 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th St. in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
Dyker Heights is a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City. You can go by subway, take the D Train to 79th St and New Utrecht Ave, Brooklyn. You will have to walk 15 minutes to get to the houses (during winter). Parking is limited.
New York City Hotels
You can find the best offers by booking a hotel in New York in advance here.
New York City Observation Decks
If you’d like to admire New York from above, I suggest you reserve your ticket in advance to any of these:
Follow along for more holiday videos on Instagram and TikTok 🙂
FAVORITE GIFT IDEAS!!
