Christmas in New York City is somewhat magical! There’s a reason New York City is the top spot for U.S. tourism during the winter holidays. From ice skating in Central Park to hot chocolate hunting and window shopping, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite festive things to do in the city. I’m also listing the coziest spots in NYC to dine at or enjoy a cocktail hanging by a fire this Christmas season! Christmas has always been a pretty big deal in New York City, and some of America’s favorite Christmas traditions have been born right here! The Rockettes have been performing their Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Hall for almost 100 years – and they’ve become an icon for NYC in the process. Not just at Christmas! In the 1930s as Rockafeller Center was being built amidst the great depression, construction workers pulled together enough money to purchase and decorate a tree to thank Mr. Rockafeller for their employment. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the following year Mr. Rockafeller bought a bigger tree for the construction workers — and so the tradition of the Rockafeller Tree was born! The lighting of the Rockafeller Christmas Tree basically kicks-off the Christmas season for us New Yorkers! Some pretty iconic Christmas movies have been set in New York City and have helped seal the deal in terms of solidifying New York as the capital of Christmas here in the states. Some favorites such as: Miracle on 34th Street, Serendipity, Home Alone 2 and Elf!
If you’re in New York City for the holidays for the first time, you can’t miss seeing the Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular or catch a performance of The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet! Be sure to bundle-up and walk through central park and ice skate at the Woolman Rink, grab a hot chocolate then head down 5th Ave. to see all the luxury department store’s window fronts! I’ll be crowded, but the Rockafeller Center is worth stopping by to see the Rockafeller Christmas Tree and ice rink – then watch the light show on display at Saks Fifth Ave. – every 10 minutes! I’ve listed a few dining and drink spots below as well so you can get festive and cozy at some of my favorite spots in the city! 
To Do:
- Take in the iconic Rockefeller Christmas Tree
- See the Rockettes perform their Christmas Spectacular at Radio City!
- Explore Central Park in the snow!
- Stroll through the “Winter Village” at Bryant Park
- See a performance of The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet
- Shop at FAO Schwarz
- Shop the Christmas Markets:
- Union Square Holiday Market: November 17 – December 24
- Holiday shops at Bryant Park: October 28 – January 2
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market: November 28 – December 24
- Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market: November 28 – December 26
- Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market – 80 Pearl St. (10am-5pm) on Saturdays + Sundays
- Window shop the Christmas window displays along 5th Ave.:
- Saks Fifth Ave
- Bloomingdales
- Macy’s
- Empire State Building
- Experience the Saks 5th Ave. Light Show – the songs play at regular 10-minute intervals from 5-11 pm!
- Go Ice Skating:
- Rockefeller Center (11am-11pm)
- Wollman Rink in Central Park (10am-9pm)
- Bryant Park (8am – 11pm)
- Brookfield Place (2-9pm)
- Grab a delicious hot chocolate!
- Lavine (Noho)
- Serendipity 3 (Upper East Side) – try their famous “frozen hot chocolate”!
- Bar Pisellino (West Village)
- L.A. Burdick (Soho)
- Dominique Ansel Bakery (Soho)
- Breads Bakery (Union Square)
- Maman (Soho)
- Ralph’s Coffee (Rockefeller Center, Flatiron, Upper East Side)
- Catch the MTA’s Holiday Nostalgia train – The Holiday Nostalgia Train will make express stops on the local 1 line track between Chambers St and 137 St-City College on Dec. 4, 11, and 18th!
Cozy & festive spots to eat:
- Rolf’s German Restaurant (Grammercy)
- Cafe Dante (Greenwich Village)
- Waverly Inn (West Village)
- SERRA by Birreria rooftop at Eataly (Flatiron)
- Tavern on the Green (Central Park)
- One if by Land, Two if by Sea (West Village)
- Little Prince (Soho)
- Freeman’s (Lower East Side)
- Tiny’s (Tribeca)
- Apres Arlo (Soho)
- Minetta Tavern (Greenwich Village)
- Snowday in Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
Cozy & festive spots to drink:
- “Whiskey Wonderland” at Great Jones Distilling Co. (Noho)
- Miracle on 9th Street (East Village)
- Lillie’s Victorian Establishment (Midtown)
- Gallow Green at The McKittrick Hotel (Chelsea)
- Temple Court at The Beekman Hotel (Financial District)
- The Margeaux at the Marlton hotel (West Village)
- The Standard Hotel (East Village & Meatpacking)
- The Greens at Pier 17 (Seaport/Financial)
- Oscar Wilde (Nomad)
- Pete’s Tavern (Grammercy)
- Clicquot Chalet at Mr. Purple (Lower East Side)
- Winter Wonderland pop-up at Watermark (Seaport/Financial)
- Sippin’ Santa at Boilermaker (Lower East Side)
- Do Not Disturb (West Village)
- Feliz Coctelería at The Garret Coctelería (Nolita)
Have you been to New York City during the holiday season? It really is such a dreamy time to see the city. Let me know if you end up coming into town! And if you *have* been to NYC during Christmas, what’s your favorite thing to see in the city or tradition? Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Stay Risky,
– John
