New Yorkers have ushered in the holiday season for nearly a century with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you’re not spectating on the street, well, you’re watching it on TV. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving morning without seeing the big Broadway numbers, lip-syncing celebs on floats, orderly marching bands, and yes, those massive balloons of cuteness.
When spooky season is over, the first flakes begin to fall, and the Buffalo Bills start scoring mad touchdowns, those of us in the Empire State know it’s time for our beloved New York State holiday traditions. Whether you’re up north in the High Peaks, nestled between the Finger Lakes, hailing from Western New York, or living big in New York City, we know how to do the holidays right.
New York is truly iconic when it comes to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Day and everything in between. Why? Think of this: we’ve got the North Pole (literally). We’ve got the Rockefeller Christmas tree. We’ve got the largest menorah in the world. And those icy waters are perfect for New Year’s Day plunges.
Need more proof? Read below to discover why New York State holiday traditions have every other state beat.