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The holidays seem to start earlier and fly by faster every year. One way to extend all that cheer and good will is to pack these fleeting weeks with all manner of topical activities. In addition to the classics like tree-peeping and light-looking, New York City has plenty of on-the-reindeer’s-nose holiday pop-up bars to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season—with spirits—throughout the most wonderful time of the year. So gather your loved ones and go on a little Christmas crawl this year, why don't you? RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Christmas in New York Updated December 8, 2025: December is here and we are in fully holiday mode baby. Perfect for visiting parties or groups who just need a bit of holiday cheer, we've recently added two new wintry experiences to check out this month: Gnomeo's at Romeo's and Le Chalet at L’Avenue at Saks. We've also updated opening dates and holiday hours so you can book your annual appointment to drink out of a Christmas ornament, early. 

Photograph: Brandon Moningka for Time Out It’s 20 seconds before midnight on New Year’s Eve, and Treb Heining is perched atop the Minskoff Theater in Times Square. He holds his walkie-talkie to his mouth and utters the two words that take this celebration to its goosebump-inducing apex: “Go confetti.” With that, more than 100 volunteers—a.k.a. confetti dispersal engineers—positioned atop buildings across Times Square dig their hands into boxes of colorful tissue bits. As the New Year’s Eve ball begins to drop, they toss the confetti, some emblazoned with handwritten wishes, into the air to float down onto the crowd of a million people below. The sounds of “Auld Lang Syne” begin, followed by Frank Sinatra crooning “New York, New York,” as revelers around the globe watch the celebration on TV, sharing kisses and wishes for the year ahead.  For the past 34 years, Heining has served as the so-called Confetti Master for the iconic New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. It’s a complex logistical puzzle that demands coordinating more than 100 volunteers atop seven buildings who lob 3,000 pounds of confetti into a swirling blizzard. For Heining, it’s a dream job. We sat down with him for a behind-the-scenes look at how he pulls off this incredible feat year after year—and how you can get involved. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Photograph: Courtesy of Treb Heining How does one become a Confetti Master? It started with being able to tie balloons...

Whether your Christmas queen is Mariah or Sabrina, it's time to begin celebrating the holiday season! 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, festive light displays, 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. As locals, we've been to many of these events and are including some of our favorites right here. Check back for updates as we'll continue adding to the list as the holidays approach.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best Christmas hotels in NYC Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.  Check out our Winter Village video: 

Photograph: Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out New YorkRegina Shepherd in Grand Central Terminal Every December, long lines form throughout Grand Central Terminal. No, they’re not lines for the Metro North or the subway. Instead, these lines are to see miniature trains on the beloved model railroad presented by the New York Transit Museum.  The museum’s annual Holiday Train Show features a 34-foot-long display festooned with tiny versions of city landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Lionel model trains depart from a miniature replica of Grand Central, then chug along over the East River and through the woods to reach their final destination, the North Pole. A tradition for 21 years, it’s one of the few free holiday events in the city—and it’s a magical sight to see.  Regina Shepherd, the museum’s acting director, is one of the people who make this moment of joy possible for New Yorkers. We sat down with her inside Grand Central to learn more about the display and what new surprises await this year. Go see it from November 13 through February.  Photograph: By Ben Hider / Courtesy of New York Transit Museum For someone who hasn’t seen the show, what is it? It’s a winter in New York scene where you can get transported from Grand Central up to the North Pole. There’s everything from the subway lines that run underneath the city to little stores on top. It includes the commuter railroads in New York, going from city to country. What makes...

Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend: Jingle Ball, SantaCon, Hanukkah menorah lightings, the annual Christmas Bird Count, The Magic Flute, and several excellent holiday markets—plus free events around town. All you have to do is scroll down to plan your weekend! Start planning a great month now with our round-up of the best things to do in December.  RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYCRECOMMENDED: The best New York attractions Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

The Rockefeller Tree Lighting is an NYC holiday tradition that brings thousands of New Yorkers (and tourists) to the bright and brilliant nexus of town each Christmas. Sure, various tree lighting ceremonies take place all over New York, but the show at Rockefeller Center is by far the most renowned. Don’t skip your chance to see the towering tree glowing in Christmas lights for the first time only a few days after Thanksgiving in NYC. This tree is one of the top New York attractions to visit in person every holiday season. There’s nothing better than going ice-skating, warming up with hot cocoa and taking pictures with the stunning Rockefeller Center tree as your backdrop. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree When is the Rockefeller Center tree lighting? After a star-studded light-up night ceremony on Wednesday, December 3, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be lit for the holiday season. Light-up activities run from 7–10pm, with the tree lighting up at 10pm. You can watch in-person, but prepare for crowds, or catch the broadcast on TV from the comfort of your couch. Where is the Rockefeller Center tree lighting? The Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony is located at Rockefeller Center between 49th and 50th Sts in Manhattan.  When and where can I visit the Rockefeller Center tree? The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit daily from 5am to midnight daily after the special light-up night ceremony. On Christmas Eve, the tree...

Since New York City transforms into a magical wonderland with millions of holiday lights right after Thanksgiving, it's helpful to know where to find the best Christmas lights in NYC. Expect to see over-the-top inflatable Santas at the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn and iconic displays at Central Park and Rockefeller Center. Take it all in and get ready to “ooh” and “ahh” at these landmarks, holiday markets and neighborhoods that create the most picturesque holiday light displays during the holiday season.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with the best NYC events in December 2025. This season’s highlights include, well, you already know what they are. You can really get into the spirit when you visit one of New York’s many holiday markets boasting great gifts for your friends and family as well as tasty provisions. For more festivities, check out a wide array of Nutcracker performances and raucous pop-up holiday bars. In addition to rounding up Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa events, we've also included some non-holiday things to do when you need a break from the holiday cheer. Keep scrolling to the bottom for those, including art exhibitions, comedy shows, and immersive experiences. RECOMMENDED: Full NYC events calendar for 2025 Check out our Winter Village video

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display has become one of the most beloved New York attractions during the holiday season. The Brooklyn neighborhood is home to over-the-top Christmas light decorations with life-sized Santas, sleighs and snowmen taking over the neighborhood's homes. 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 and experience one of the top things to do in NYC in the winter. It truly is one of the most magical things to do this Christmas, and it's free to explore—win-win. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in NYC Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.  When can I visit the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2025? Most of the homeowners—and professional decorating companies—hang their Christmas lights and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. However, the best time to see the lights is mid-December through New Year’s Eve. We suggest going anytime between dusk and 9pm if you plan to travel by foot. Most of the houses turn their displays off after 9pm but some leave theirs on later (depending on their bedtime). They decor usually stays up until the end of the first week of January. Photograph: Time Out/Ali Garber Where are the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights? You’ll see breathtaking light displays from 11th to 13th Avenues (also known as Dyker Heights Blvd)...

The best holiday markets are right here in NYC—full of both the holiday spirit and the most unique gifts out there. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets often include ice skating, twinkling lights, great food vendors, and fun holiday activities. Shopping for the perfect gift doesn’t have to be stressful; make it fun at these holiday markets, from the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market to the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and more. We'll continue updating this guide throughout the holiday season, so stay tuned for new additions. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.