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

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 lights up days on Wednesday, December 3 and stays on 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.

'Tis the season fors carol and cocoa, and you can do both at the 29th annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park. On Thursday, December 4 at 5:30pm, join your fellow revelers (and Santa!) at the park's Charles A. Dana Discovery Center to kick off an evening of carol singing, seasonal activities and, of course, hot chocolate. As is tradition, the festivities wrap up with the lighting of a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer. Extra tip: Print out this songsheet so you're prepared for the carols.

This tree lighting may not get the same pomp and circumstance as the Rockefeller Center tree lighting, but we think it's just as beautiful.

Jamaica, Queens' annual three-day celebration is back for its 11th year, running from December 5 through 7. Expect food vendors, an artisan holiday winter village, Christmas displays, the largest Christmas tree lighting in Queens on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and toy giveaways on Saturday. 

The Parade on Rockaway—the biggest parade in the whole borough—will take place on Saturday, stretching from 130th Street to 143rd Street on Rockaway Boulevard. 

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. 

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.

Take a break from Christmas shopping and check out the state-of-the-art holiday light display at The Shops at Columbus Circle. This year, the seasonal spectacle has been pumped up with 300,000 shimmering lights and 44 floating stars illuminating the entire complex in holiday cheer. Holiday Under the Stars runs from November 10 to January 3, 2026.

You’ll be so moved, you won’t even care that you maxed out your MasterCard getting Aunt Judy that back massager she’s been wanting. Color-changing stars will perform choreographed light shows every 30 minutes from 5pm to midnight, casting a kaleidoscope of color across the shopping center. Also look for illuminated stars at the 58th Street and 60th Street entrances and sparkling photo moments throughout the complex.  

It's free to visit, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to stop by along the way. 

Catch a free Broadway performance under the glittering holiday lights at Columbus Circle during Broadway Under the Stars. This series of free performances inside The Shops at Columbus Circle brings performers from some of the hottest shows right now for music and intimate conversations moderated by Broadway alumnus George Psomas.

Performances happen on Thursday evenings from 5-6pm on the second-floor stage. While you're there, enjoy the seasonal spectacle with 300,000 shimmering lights and 44 floating stars illuminating the entire complex in holiday cheer. 

Here's the full lineup:

• November 20: MAMMA MIA!, The Outsiders, Maybe Happy Ending
• December 4: The Lion King, Aladdin, Hell’s Kitchen
• December 11: SIX The Musical, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), The Queen of Versailles
• December 18: Operation Mincemeat, The Book of Mormon, Chicago

A brand new double-decker carousel is set to spin holiday cheer throughout the season in Greeley Square at 33rd Street and Broadway on November 21, offering rides through January 6, 2026.

The two-story swirl of lights, music and storybook creatures will spin from 10am to 10pm daily, offering plenty of opportunity to catch a ride before, during or after your holiday shopping. Tickets cost $7/person.

Speaking of shopping: the carousel will be in the perfect location. It will sit just steps from Macy’s Herald Square, where the holidays are already in full swing.