Best Christmas things to do in NYC for a magical time this holiday season

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree (NYC’s pride and joy) is a beaming and brilliant symbol of the holiday season. Tourists and even native New Yorkers sure do love this Norway spruce. The trees change, but the annual sense of wonder remains the same. 

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is bringing back its gorgeous, after-dark illuminated spectacular to its grounds from November 17, 2023–January 1, 2024.

Lightscape, an illuminated trail of art from local and international artists, features the iconic Winter Cathedral and a larger Fire Garden—all set to over a million lights, color and music. This year, it has been reimagined with a longer trail and new immersive experiences along the way, including “Supernova,” a 24-foot-high illuminated Moravian star, a sparkling new Chandelier Walk and a giant red poppy blossoms of Floraison that hover above the trail. 

As always, a curated playlist of music brings the light art to life, but this year, BBG is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with “Kaleido Circle,” an illuminated area in Oak Circle that will play a mix of hip-hop songs by influential Brooklyn musicians, curated by Queens-based artist Sherwin Banfield.

Of course, there will be food concessions along the trail that will still offer seasonal treats like hot cocoa, hot cider, and mulled wine as well as light bites, cookies and sweets.

Admission ranges from $34-$39 for adults and $17-$19 for kids.

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display has definitely earned its stripes as one of the best New York attractions. What’s not to love about all that razzle-dazzle to get you in the Christmas spirit?

The Brooklyn neighborhood is home to the most over-the-top Christmas light decorations with life-sized Santas, sleighs, snowmen and some houses even bump Christmas carols from loudspeakers. Crowds of all ages flock to the Kings County neighborhood to wander down the multiple blocks and avenues.

Also, bus tours are back from A Slice of Brooklyn, Dyker Heights Christmas Lights and more.

The team behind two of the best holiday pop-up bars in the city—Miracle on 9th Street and Sippin' Santa's Surf Shack—have announced that this year's decked-out editions will be popping up beginning November 2023. 

Since its founding in 2014 by bar owner Greg Boehm at his East Village cocktail den Mace, Christmas-themed Miracle pop-up bars have become a staple of the holiday season in New York, with their kitschy, over-the-top decorations, festive original cocktails and general good cheer. Two years later, it expanded globally with outposts in Greece, Montreal and Paris. And this year, Miracle, along with its beachy sibling series Sippin' Santa, will be held at more than 180 drinking establishments across the U.S. 

In NYC, Miracle on 9^th Street will be found at The Cabinet Mezcal Bar in the East Village, whereas Sippin’ Santa will take place this winter at Williamsburg neighborhood bar Thief. 

This magical 1954 production, set to Tchaikovsky's incredible score, includes the full New York City Ballet company and two casts of School of American Ballet students, as well as an onstage blizzard and a Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet. In the end, however, Balanchine's enchanting choreography is what holds it all together. 

Be dazzled by holiday lights during a 45-minute walking tour.

For more than 25 years, the Central Park Conservancy has been draping the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in holiday lights to ring in the season. Head to the northeastern part of Central Park to see it.

Then head to the southwestern part of the park to Tavern on the Green. The iconic restaurant has lit a 20-foot Christmas tree with 2,000 ornaments and 10,000 lights to glow through Central Park. Grab some dinner or a drink while you're there! 

This place takes the holidays to the extreme by stringing up thousands of lights, ornaments and garlands throughout its snug interior. Marvel at all the shiny things, then indulge in some hearty sausages and German brews.

Take your own NYC walking tour and stop by to see the lights at Saks, Radio City Music Hall, Central Park, the Plaza Hotel and more. Get ready to “ooh” and “ahh” at these landmarks and snap some photos of the most picturesque holiday light displays during the holiday season.

See the Dyker Heights lights on a holiday bus tour.

In addition to the holiday shops at Bryant Park, which features feature over 160 merchants, including 18 new vendors, there are several other markets around town.

Here are the dates for all of Urbanspace’s markets:

• Union Square Holiday Market: Through December 24
• Holiday shops at Bryant Park: Through January 2
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market: Through December 24
• Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market: Through December 26 

Looking for Hanukkah events? We've got you covered with our guide to the best events for the festival of lights. The festivities include menorah lightings, musical performances, a comedy show and some sweet treats.