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Dyker Heights christmas lights
Photograph: @rtanphoto/Rommel Tan

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

Make the most of the holidays with our list of Christmas things to do in NYC, including tree-lightings, classic holiday shows and festive bars.

Rossilynne Skena Culgan
Written by
Rossilynne Skena Culgan
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Only with Queen Mariah’s blessing do we begin celebrating the holidays. In preparation, we’ve gathered the best things to do for Christmas and the holidays in NYC. From uptown to downtown, the city boasts holiday offerings like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, light festivals, and the best holiday markets NYC has to offer. Whether you channel your inner grinch or cheery elf during NYC's most wonderful season, we've got you covered with memorable activities.

Check back for updates as we'll continue adding to the list as the holidays approach. 

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in NYC
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Check out our Winter Village video: 

Top Christmas things to do in New York City

  • Things to do

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.

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  • Things to do

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 BrooklynDyker Heights Christmas Lights and more.

  • Restaurants
  • Drinking

The team behind two of the best holiday pop-up bars in the cityMiracle 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 9th 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. 

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  • Things to do

It's time to lace up your skates—the best ice skating rinks in NYC are waiting for you. As one of the most beloved cities to spend the holidays in, NYC has plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we’ve ranked the top places to go, from the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or lower-key rinks at NYC parks like Central Park.

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  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs

The Winter Village at Bryant Park will return in all its holiday glory. On the grounds you can peruse about 60 shopping and food kiosks—all at one of the best NYC parks. Expect loads of handmade, unique and New York City-specific gifts for your family and friends. Work up an appetite at the 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink and then fill up at the rinkside pop-up restaurant called The Lodge Deck for festive cocktails and hearty food.

Don't miss the Small Business Spotlight booth, which features minority-owned business. Featured businesses include The Winsome Apothecary, The Picnic Day, Cocoa Puzzles and Avalah. 

Go on a holiday lights tour.

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  • Things to do

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! 

Dinner at Rolf’s Restaurant
  • Restaurants
  • Austrian
  • Gramercy
  • price 2 of 4

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.

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  • Things to do
  • Events & Festivals

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:

Want to go ice-skating?

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