NYC & Company has created a list of all the festive places visitors should go to in New York City this holiday season, including specific sights to see, activities to do, stores to shop at, places to eat, and hotels to stay at in all five boroughs.
What to See and Do
90th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: The most famous parade kicks off the holiday season, displaying giant helium balloons, musical performances, marching bands, and celebrity appearances on November 24.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: The ceremony takes place on November 30, and the tree remains lit through January 7.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular: The production runs from November 11–January 2. The Rockettes will dazzle audiences with brand new dance numbers, extravagant costumes, and traditional fan favorites.
The Nutcracker: Presented by the New York City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s, one of the most beloved and anticipated holiday classics runs from November 25-December 31.
A Slice of Brooklyn’s Christmas Lights Tour: Dyker Heights’ light exhibition with 30-foot-tall toy soldiers and nativity scene runs December 1-31 excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show: Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, new additions to the miniature city include Coney Island’s Cyclone and Wonder Wheel as well as the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, bringing the total to 150 iconic building models. The show runs from November 19-January 16.
The 13th Annual St. George Theatre Christmas Show: Running from December 9 – December 11, this two-hour production features over 100 actors, a live orchestra, and numerous holiday standards set in holiday scenes from the North Pole to the surrounding neighborhoods of Staten Island.
Outdoor skating rinks: Manhattan has several rinks that are open during the holiday season such as the Rink at Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink in Central Park, the Rink at Brookfield Place, and Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Gingerbread Lane: The Guinness World Record-winning display at New York Hall of Science contains over 1,000 handmade gingerbread houses and structures. Returns from November 11-January 15.
Where to Shop
Many of the City’s popular department stores set up elaborate holiday-themed window displays. Notable stores include: Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, and Tiffany & Co.
New York City’s holiday markets return this year to Bryant Park (October 30-January 3), Union Square (November 17-December 24), Columbus Circle (November 29-December 24), and Grand Central Terminal (November 14-December 24). Visitors and locals can find homemade treats and presents for every family member.
Brookfield Place and Westfield World Trade Center, both recently opened downtown, offer luxury shopping, dining, culture, art, and architecture.
Where to Stay
ROW NYC: The Midtown hotel offers a Bloomingdales Shop & Stay package for the holiday shopping season, providing guests with a Bloomingdales’ $50 gift card, duffle bag, VIP leather wallet, key chain, and special in-store offers.
Conrad New York: The Conrad Skate package includes a stay in a suite, breakfast at ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant, and private skating lessons with Olympic skaters at The Rink at Brookfield Place, along with a special autographed gift and hot cocoa at the hotel.
The Time Hotel New York: Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, The Time Hotel offers a Holiday On Point package, which includes Caviar pizza from Serafina paired with a Magnum bottle of Dom Perignon Rose Champagne delivered to the suite at midnight, as well as overnight accommodations in the Triplex Penthouse Suite and limo transfers to and from the airport.
The Surrey: Champagne Wishes, the hotel’s new package, celebrates the holidays and rings in the New Year in luxurious fashion for visitors who reserve a salon or suite. During their stay, they will receive a chilled bottle of Veuve Cliquot, Champagne Truffles, and a champagne and pearl sugar treatment at the hotel’s Cornelia Spa.
The Loews Regency: During the holidays, the hotel is adorned with a 15-foot-tall Christmas tree, and offers complimentary hot chocolate happy hour, Kate Spade New York pajamas, and carol performances every day in the lobby.
Where to Eat
Tavern on the Green: The Central Park holiday mainstay offers a three-course prix-fixe Brunch menu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day they will offer their Traditional Tavern on the Green Christmas dinner for $125 per person. Seating will be 4 p.m. -11 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Christmas Day.
The Palm Court at The Plaza: The Plaza’s restaurant offers special Christmas high tea service with a three-tiered assortment of holiday delicacies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for $125 per person. Their holiday menu runs from November 1 – January 3.
Momofuku Ko: David Chang’s renowned restaurant presents an eight-course tasting menu for both lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for $225 per person.
The Lambs Club: Geoffrey Zakarian’s Holiday Carolers Brunch boasts a traditional caroling troupe and seasonal treats like the stuffed French toast with mascarpone, cranberry-pear compote and hazelnuts along with hot chocolate and toppings for $68 per adult and $35 per child.
For a full holiday guide to NYC visit www.nycgo.com/holidays.