Things to do on a Sunday in New York

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. 

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.

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 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. 

Shop 'til you drop at FAD Market, a curated fashion, art and design pop-up marketplace, which is back for 2025. Expect to see your favorite makers plus brand new creatives to help you live smarter, gift better and support local businesses. 

Peruse handmade jewelry, apparel, skincare products, tableware, artisanal packaged food, and more. Whether you're shopping for you or a friend (or even getting an early on that holiday shopping), there are plenty of local gems to pick up. 

Here's the holiday schedule:

• Dumbo (Empire Stores, 55 Water Street), December 1–21 daily, 11am–6pm
• Boerum Hill (51 Bergen Street), December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21,  11am–6pm
• Cobble Hill (St. Paul’s, 190 Court Street), December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21,  11am–6pm

The eighth annual Wallabout Wonderland is back at the Brooklyn Storehouse on December 6 and 7. The market brings together over 150 local vendors offering clothing, accessories, home décor, artisanal foods and more. Guests can also participate in family-friendly activities including cookie decorating, holiday card-making, photo ops and hands-on workshops. 

Some highlights of the market include The Wallabout Workshop: Sip & Sweater Edition where you can craft your own ugly holiday sweater with Lend Me Your Ears and The Christmas Corner ($55 ticket, supplies included); Picture Perfect: Winter Edition, a festive photo activation by ELTSUH (digital copies free; printed options available); yard games like archery and pickleball for all ages; winter-themed floral arrangements for gifting or decorating; and Dash & Co. Café for hot chocolate and festive treats. 

The market will be open from 12-5pm at the Navy Yard's Brooklyn Storehouse (Building 293). It's hosted by the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.

Town & Village Synagogue's annual concert, Songs in the Key of Peace & Harmony, is back for another Hanukkah season. This year features T&V's Cantor Shayna Postman, Synagogue Choir and Junior Singers, plus a dynamic a capella vocal octet featuring fresh insights into ancient biblical texts from The Choral Torah Collective featuring Cantor John Ehrlich.  

A Hanukkah Concert: Songs in the Key of Peace & Harmony will take place on Saturday, December 6 at 7:30pm. If you can't make it in person, you can join virtually as well. 

Tickets are $40 for adults, $18 for adults and free for ages 13 and under. Advance registration is required.

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. 

Make your own holiday wreath at these cozy and and cute wreath-making workshops in Brooklyn on Saturday, December 6 or Sunday December 7. These hands-on workshop will teach you how to craft your own holiday wreath using lush, fragrant winter greens with seasonal accents. The team at LilyFête will offer easy-to-follow techniques that blend classic wreath-making with a modern aesthetic, all while you snack on their signature charcuterie spread and sip on beverages.

All materials are included in the price and you'll get to take home your masterpiece once you're done! The Saturday event runs 5pm to 6:30pm and Sunday 3pm to 4:30pm at their Bed-Stuy studio (544 Park Avenue, Studio #243B). Tickets are on sale now for $125 per person. 

The award-winning Young People's Chorus of NYC (YPC) invites audiences to experience the magic and joy of the holidays when over 600 young voices fill Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall for the group's annual winter concert, "A Very Merry New York," on Sunday, December 7 at 5pm. This tradition brings together choristers from every borough of New York City in a festive program blending beloved holiday classics, vibrant world music and imaginative new arrangements. 

This year features Eric Whitacre's Lux Aurumque; selections from Samuel Adler's Flames of Freedom; the Nigerian holiday anthem "Betelehemu;" and seasonal favorites including Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, "My Favorite Things," and contemporary classics such as "Little Saint Nick," and "Underneath the Tree." Highlights also include the playful "Puppy for Hanukkah," a vibrant Ose Shalom complete with a bottle dance, and YPC's beloved Merriest Medley, leading into a hall wide holiday sing-a-long.

Tickets start at $59 and can be purchased online here or by visiting the Lincoln Center Box Office at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza. VIP tickets include premium concert seating and an invitation to YPC’s festive pre-concert reception. For more information on VIP tickets contact rsvp@ypc.org.