Places to see in nyc during christmas

NYC during Christmas time and the holiday season is easily one of the most magical times to visit New York! From beautiful Christmas lights, holiday store decorations, ice skating rinks, and more, there is a ton to do, even on Christmas day! In this NYC travel guide, I’m covering some of the best things you can do in NYC on Christmas Day that is open! 

While a lot of stores and museums in NYC are closed on Christmas Day, there are still tons of top NYC attractions open on Christmas Day as well, so don’t worry!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 21 Things to do in NYC on Christmas Day That’s Still Open
• Rockefeller Center
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Central Park on Christmas Day
• Christmas Spectacular Radio City Rockettes
• See the Famous NYC Christmas Holiday Window Displays 
• Grand Central Terminal
• Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
• Summit One Vanderbilt
• Times Square
• The Hudson Yards
• Walk The Highline
• The Flatiron Building
• Washington Square Park
• The Oculus
• One World Observatory
• Visit The Top of the Empire State Building
• The Staten Island Ferry to See the Statue of Liberty
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge
• Hit Chinatown
• See a Movie
• Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
• NYC Travel Resources
• Best Things to do in NYC on Christmas Day: Wrap-up
  • Did you enjoy the “Best Things to do in NYC on Christmas Day” helpful? I’d really appreciate it if you could share it below!

    There’s nothing quite like Christmas in NYC. After all, it’s a wonderfully magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, exciting holiday window displays, piping hot cups of cocoa, enchanting Christmas markets, and amazing Christmas shows.

    Therefore, if you’re looking to plan the perfect Christmas in New York City vacay, then this insanely comprehensive, over-the-top informative guide is totally for you.

    Especially since I’m a 30+ year local who knows all the in’s and out’s of planning a next-level awesome trip to spend Christmas in NYC.

    So, if you want to get away from the crowds, ditch the guidebooks, and spend Christmas in New York City like a real New Yorker, then this post is where it’s at.

    Because I’m about to share all my insider tips with you so that you can quickly and easily plan the trip of your dreams.

    This way, you can stop stressing and start feeling the holiday spirit as you enjoy all that Christmas in New York City has to offer.

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

    If you’re booking a trip right now then I IMPLORE you to get travel insurance – even if it’s not from me.

    After all, this past year has been a wild ride and I don’t want you to lose money because government regulations have changed. 

    Truth be told though, I’ve never traveled without travel insurance and don’t think you should either – especialy since I think we’ve all had plans drastically change because of the pandemic. 

    Therefore, find an insurance agency that covers travel changes related to COVID-19, like my two all-time faves World Nomads and Safety Wing. You can also read more about which policy is right for you in my full review here.

    Contents show

    1 Where to Stay this Christmas in NYC

    2 21 Best Things to do This Christmas in NYC

    3 1. Enjoy a Festive Holiday Cruise

    4 2. Enjoy the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

    5 3. See The Rockettes at The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

    6 4. The Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens

    7 5. Marvel at the Tree and Go Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

    8 6. Bank of America New York Winter Village at Bryant Park

    9 7. Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel

    10 8. Go Ice Skating

    11 9. Rooftop 93 Bar In Midtown Manhattan

    12 10. Enjoy the Christmas Decor at Rolf’s

    13 11. Sip on the Best Hot Chocolate in the City

    14 12. Explore Central Park

    15 13. Shop At FAO Schwarz

    16 14. Enjoy a Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House Museum

    17 15. Enjoy the Luminaries at Brookfield Place

    18 16. Enjoy a Holiday Themed Afternoon Tea

    19 17. See the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo

    20 18. Enjoy Magical Holiday Window Displays

    21 19. See the Empire State Building’s Holiday Light Show

    22 20. See the Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center

    23 21. Grand Central Holiday Fair

    24 22. Turnstyle Underground Market

    25 23. Check Out St. Patrick’s Cathedral

    26 Get Your FREE NEW YORK PACKING LIST NOW!

    27 Map of the Best Things to do During Christmas in NYC

    28 Additional Christmas NYC Resources You’ll Love

    28.1 There you have it! That just about wraps up this guide to Christmas in NYC!

    28.2 Tell me, did your favorite Christmas in New York City activities make the list? If not then let me know in the comments below!

    28.3 And if you found this post useful, don’t forget to join our email list before pinning this post now so that you can read it again later!

    What is a must do in New York at Christmas?

    Seeing the massive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is a must-do during Christmas in New York City, make no mistake about it. But you must absolutely avoid visiting during weekends like the plague. No seriously, it's estimated that an average of 750,000 people visit the tree per day during a typical holiday season.

    Is it NYC a good place to visit at Christmas?

    Seriously, if you are looking for holiday decorations and Christmas lights, New York City will not disappoint! Some of the best Christmas decorations in NYC are found in Midtown, but there are decorative NYC holiday lights and attractions sprinkled throughout Manhattan – and beyond.

    What should you not miss in New York in December?

    Best Things to Do in December in New York.

    New Year's Day Polar Bear Plunge. Coney Island. ... .

    The Nutcracker Ballet. Upper West Side. ... .

    Dyker Heights Light Show. Brooklyn. ... .

    Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Midtown East. ... .

    Serendipity 3. ... .

    Winter Village at Bryant Park. ... .

    Union Square Holiday Markets. ... .

    Fifth Avenue Window Displays..

    What can you do on Christmas Day in NYC?

    What can you do on Christmas Day in NYC? Actually, a lot! Famous attractions like such as the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock and One World Observatory will be open. Times Square's Madame Tussauds remain open as well.