Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and New York City knows how to deck the halls best… and it’s not even close.
There’s nothing like a Christmas in New York City. As the famous Jay-Z and Alicia Keys song will say, the bright lights will inspire you.
NYC truly becomes a winter wonderland when the holiday season begins. The best time to explore Christmas in NYC is Thanksgiving through the end of the year. There’s nothing short of things to do, so grab your partner and scratch some things off the bucket list!
Rockefeller Center
Perhaps the most iconic symbol of a Christmas in NYC, the Rockefeller Center displays a massive Christmas tree every year. In addition to this gigantic tree, the ice-skating rink is open to the public and falls beneath the tree.
It doesn’t get much more romantic than that! The Rockefeller Center is decorated with angels and many Christmas style cabins to produce a wonderful atmosphere.
A few hundred feet away from the Rockefeller Center is also a massive Saks on Fifth. This store puts on a massive Christmas light show the majority of the evening with music that can be heard blocks away.
There really isn’t anything that can beat the atmosphere at the Rockefeller Center when Christmas arrives. Everyone should get the chance to feel the magic in the air at that time of year.
The Rockefeller tree is lit up usually the last Wednesday of November.
Ice Skating in Central Park
There are many movies that show the ice-skating rink at Central Park during the winter. It is home to one of New York City’s best views and it will definitely make lasting memories for people.
Head over to the park, where hot cocoa will be offered all around to keep warm before and after skating. Be sure to take some photos and capture your “Serendipity” moment for the ages.
If you’re lucky, there might even be snow on the ground or falling at some point of the day. The best time to skate for the pictures is probably nighttime, but any time of day will do honestly.
Bryant Park Winter Village
Bryant Park really knows how to Christmas through their annual Winter Village. The village is home to quite literally a village of many types of shops.
There are jewelry shops, food shops, pastry shops, clothing shops, art shops, you name it. Not to mention, the big ice-skating rink in the middle of the park that can compete with the one in Central Park for best rink during the holidays.
Just like the Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park creates such a beautiful atmosphere for Christmas. It is a must on the bucket list when Christmas comes along. A donut and hot cocoa will hit the spot while exploring the park.
The Winter Village is open from late October to early January.
The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
Everyone should see the Rockettes at least once in their lives. The amount of talent the show consists of is outstanding and will bring you off your seat.
There is plenty of Christmas spirit going around throughout the show and the animations are beautiful. Not to mention the Christmas music playing the whole show, which will get anyone hyped up about Christmas.
In general, the story of the show is great and will excite anyone for Christmas. People will leave the show feeling happy and grateful for the experience. The fact that the Rockettes perform at Radio City alone is memorable.
Shows begin in late November and go through Christmas.
Frosty’s Christmas Bar
Most bars will decorate for Christmas when the time comes, but none like Frosty’s. With two floors full of Christmas decorations, Frosty’s is sure to create a nice atmosphere of Christmas cheer.
The drinks are decent as well, with bars on both floors. If you want, you can also grab a meal at the bar.
Frosty’s has more than enough decorations to take cheesy and beautiful photos to share on social media. The bar is open late, but tickets are required to enter beforehand.
Reservations get booked pretty quick, so be sure to book ahead of time.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Although the parade is for Thanksgiving, it marks the beginning of the NYC Christmas season for everyone.
The parade concludes with Santa announcing that Christmas is around the corner, and that’s when people can really feel that the holidays have begun. There’s nothing like starting the day with Christmas cheer and a loud crowd celebrating the start of the season.
Especially the little kids, who will soften anyone’s heart with their excitement for Christmas.
There really isn’t any other place in the world that can do Christmas like NYC. The atmosphere throughout the city is unrivaled. Who hasn’t watched a Christmas movie where NYC isn’t the epicenter of the holiday?
NYC is drowned in Christmas lights during the holidays and the cold air makes cuddling with your significant other special. There’s no other time of year that is as cheerful, romantic, or beautiful as Christmas in NYC.
Everyone should have the chance to be in NYC for the holidays, because NYC does it best!
