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Ah, don't you just love the merriest and spendiest time of year? Several tree lighting ceremonies kick off tonight, which means it's officially Christmas in New York (yay!). We rounded up the best luminous events you don't want to miss this month, so prep your peepers and check out these dazzling LEDs!
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
This year, the village has big plans to make this popular event the best one yet. There will be a theatrical ice-skating show narrated by actor Danny Aiello starring Olympic skating champs Nancy Kerrigan, Brian Boitano, Johnny Weir, Meryl Davis and Charlie White. Plus, the Haydenettes! The show kicks off at 6pm followed by the tree lighting at 6:35pm, so make sure to get there early. Bryant Park, Sixth Ave between 40th and 42nd Sts. Tue 1 at 6pm.
The 32nd annual tree lighting hosted by Lauren Scala will be action-packed, featuring live musical performances by acappella group the Mistletones, singer-songwriter Connell Cruise, American Idol winner Nick Fradiani and more. Get your photo taken with Santa starting at 5pm, followed by the luminous lighting of the district’s 60-foot tree. 19 Fulton St. Tue 1 5–8pm.
Proceedings start at 7pm for the celebrity performances, so you’ll want to get there early to secure a spot. Then, the 30,000 energy-efficient LEDs covering the massive evergreen are switched on to oohs and aahs. Rockefeller Plaza between W 48th and 51st Sts. Wed 2 7–9pm.
Check out a new installation dubbed Luminaries, a piece composed of 650 LED lanterns suspended in a grid from the ceiling. They’ll be hanging just below the tops of the atrium’s famous palm trees, providing different colorations for the folks below. Winter Garden, 230 Vesey St. Wed 2 10am–8pm.
World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Celebrate Hanukkah in a big way by checking out the largest menorah in the world. A candle from the 32-foot tall, 4,000–pound steel menorah will be lit every night for the duration of the holiday. Grand Army Plaza, Fifth Ave and 59th St. Dec 6–13 at 5:30pm (3:30pm on Friday for the Sabbath, 8:30pm on Saturday).
The Madison Square Park Conservancy is gearing up for a magical holiday celebration. The festivities kick off at 3:30pm with the countdown to the grand tree lighting at 5pm. Madison Ave and 23 St. Dec 8 3:30pm–5:30pm.
This 90-year-old tradition features holiday sing-a-longs and a visit from the big man in the red suit before a giant pine is transformed into a multi-colored illuminating wonder. Dec 9 at 6pm.