Are people who FaceTime while walking down the street literally insane?

Framed perfectly inside the park's famous arch, Washington Square Park's beautiful tree is a sight to behold. It officially lights up on Thursday, December 11 (6-7pm), and all are invited to the festivities. The tree lighting ceremony includes carols by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and vocalist Linseigh Green. Santa Claus himself has promised to appear, candy canes in hand, to lead the illumination countdown. 

If you miss the tree lighting, you can see the beautifully lit 45-foot tree throughout the holiday season, lit from 4pm-1am daily.

Also mark your calendar for Christmas Eve caroling on December 24 at 5pm. 

The fabulous holiday icon of NYC, The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is a must-see for both locals and visitors during the holiday season, whether you’re visiting before ice-skating on The Rink at Rockefeller Center or just passing through.

More than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights wrap around the branches. It’s topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds and sparkles in 3 million crystals.

The tree is lit up daily through mid-January. On Christmas Eve, the tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am to 9pm. 

Cirque du Soleil, famous for defying reality (and gravity), is returning to New York City this holiday season. Due to overwhelming success, their special first and only holiday show, "Twas the Night Before..." will return to The Theater at Madison Square Garden December 4-28.

Inspired by the classic poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, Cirque's story follows a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. Directed by James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater, "Twas the Night Before..." combines classic Christmas spirit with jaw-dropping acrobatic stunts. 

If you're equal parts sugar fiend and architecture junkie, we may have just found your dream holiday destination. The Gingerbread City is bringing its winter magic and sweetness back to the Seaport for a free display from December 5–28 at 19 Fulton Street.

It's created by over 100 New York-based architects, engineers and designers, so you know these gingerbread creations are going to be immaculate. Expect to see city parks, brownstones and skyscrapers created out of cookies, icing and candy. Plus, there's a chance to learn how to make your own gingerbread creations.

This holiday concert, A Goyishe Christmas to You!, features favorite Yuletide tunes (performed with a twist) and specialty material by Jewish composers. The December 10 show includes songs suggesting a variety of Jewish approaches to the Christmas hullabaloo, as well as classics like "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland," plus Yiddish versions of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside." 

The show's presented by The New York Festival of Song and led by Director Steven Blier. Featured peformers include singers Lauren Worsham, Donna Breitzer, Rebecca Jo Leob, Alex Mansoori, Joshua Jeremiah and Cantor Joshua Breitzer. Steven Blier joins as pianist and host, alongside clarinetist Alan R. Kay. 

A Goyish Christmas to You! will begin at 9pm in Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center (129 West 67th Street). Tickets start at $45 for adults and $10 for students. 

For more than 25 years, the Central Park Conservancy has been draping the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in holiday lights, which are illuminated every night during the season. Don't miss the flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer, which light up for the season.

While this display might not get as much attention as some of the bigger light displays, it's an unconventional and under-rated attraction worth a visit.

This annual holiday bazaar just outside of Central Park features handmade items from local artisans and snacks from vendors. This year, peep goods from Centuries Clayworks, which sells original framed pieces featuring handmade tiny, brightly colored clay bots in artful arrangements; freshly made crepes from Brooklyn-based company Cuddle Crepes; wooden puzzles made by puzzles lovers, for puzzle lovers from Mosaic Puzzles; and Inti Sänä, a woman-owned silver and stainless steel jewelry made in Queens.

Urbanspace Columbus Circle Holiday Market is open December 2-31. Hours are Monday-Friday 11am-8pm; Saturday-Sun 10am-8pm. The market is closed Christmas Day and closes at 4pm on New Year's Eve. 

During iHeartRadio’s annual touring holiday bash, Madison Square Garden becomes home to Z100’s Jingle Ball NYC. The artists behind the year’s best pop songs join this glittery gathering, performing truncated, hit-heavy sets.

This year, Jingle Ball takes place Friday, December 12, 2025, at 7pm. The star-studded lineup features: Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Conan Gray, Ed Sheeran, Jessie Murph, Laufey, MONSTA X, Myles Smith, Nelly, Ravyn Lenae, Reneé Rapp, and Zara Larsson. Also expect a special sing-along moment for KPOP DEMON HUNTERS. 

Tickets are on sale now starting at $349.

The Paley Center for Media's annual seasonal spectacular is back for another holiday season: PaleyLand will run through Saturday, January 4 at the midtown museum with jolly joy for revelers young and old.

Along with free hot cocoa and holiday treats, attendees can enjoy five floors of merriment, including photo opportunities with Santa; a magical train display with hot chocolate stations; a stunning menorah display which serves as a perfect background for Hanukkah photos; giveaways, arts and crafts; screenings of holiday classics and family favorite programs; meet-and-greets with classic holiday characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Hermey the Elf and the Abominable Snow Monster, plus Chase and Sky from PAW Patrol. Other attractions include the PaleyGX Studio featuring popular video games and VR titles available. 

Tickets are now on sale for $21.50. You can view the full schedule and purchase tickets here.

Kawaii Holiday Market III returns for another four-day celebration in the East Village, bringing together Japanese pop culture, independent creators and contemporary kawaii arts. You can join in on the curated market, fun fashion programming, workshops and live performances from December 11 to 14 at Ideal Glass Studio (9 W 8th St).

As interest in Japanese fashion and pop culture continues to rise in New York, this year's edition expands on its focus on J-fashion, creative expression and cross-cultural exchange. Featured guest artists include PAiDA, Cybr.grl, J-fashion icon and creator Kurebayashi Haruka, along with artist and founder of the global Harajuku KAWAII movement, Sebastian Masuda. 

You can buy tickets for evening shows and special programming here. It's hosted by local nonprofit TEN TEN NYC.