Holiday Activities In NYC
There is no place like New York City for the Holidays! Enjoy endless amounts of activities with family and friends this holiday season in NYC. From holiday performances, ice skating, holiday light experiences and holiday pop-up shops, New York City during the holidays will have you feeling merry and bright.
This season Watermark NY at Pier 15 transformed into Santa Clause’s headquarters at the North Pole. Step into Santa’s living room, explore a gingerbread house bar stocks with seasonal treats and drinks, take photos in a sleigh on the water and much more!
Experience one of the largest holiday light festivals in the country at Citi Field this holiday season. Bringing festive décor and interactive holiday-themed storybook, travel through the North Pole, Land of Sweets, and a Whimsical Forest (November 20, 2022 – January 8, 2023).
Lace up your skates and hit the ice at Wollman Rink in Central Park. This stunning city-owned ice rink truly is a winter wonderland (October 23, 2022 – March 15, 2023).
The Museum of Ice Cream is turning pink for the holidays during “Pinkmas.” There will be installations bursting with snowflakes, candy canes, pink trees, interactive moments, from crafting ornaments to decorating trees all while tasting sweet treats that celebrate the season’s festive spirit (November 17, 2022 – January 9, 2023).
Bryant Park’s magical Winter Village is back in New York City this holiday season with holiday shops, a free ice-skating outdoor rink, après-themed outdoor bar and food hall and cozy igloos where you can enjoy a festive drink. Spend the day with family and friends and enjoy hot cocoa after a round of ice-skating or walk around the open-air holiday market filled with artisanal shops, to pick up unique holiday gifts (October 28, 2022 – March 5, 2023).
Named one of the best holiday markets in the entire United States, the Union Square Holiday Market welcomes over 160 vendors featuring unique gifts created by local craftsmen, artists, and entrepreneurs (November 17 – December 24, 2022).
Situated in Gramercy, Rolf’s is a whimsical German restaurant decked to the halls with garland, ornaments, lights and Christmas galore. The food is authentic German, serving favorites like schnitzel and potato pancakes. Make sure to get that perfect Instagram shot before leaving, as the decorations are a true sight to behold.
The Bronx Zoo will light up at night during the 2022 holiday season with this family-friendly festival. The walk-through experience includes wildlife-themed LED displays, lanterns and animated light shows at Astor Court. Programming throughout the seven-week run includes holiday-themed music, seasonal treats, caroling and train rides (November 18, 2022 – January 8, 2023).
New York Botanical Garden Glow
Discover the outdoor light experience, NYBG Glow, where thousands of lights and festive installations will brighten the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden.
From the haunting and hope-filled vision of director Michael Arden, the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge comes to thrilling new life as Tony Award®-winner Jefferson Mays plays over 50 roles (November 8, 2022 – January 1, 2023).
For more than 20 years, the Central Park Conservancy has been ringing in the holiday season each year with carols, Ice carvers and the main event watching the lighting of flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer.
Tucked away in Lower Manhattan, The Rink at Brookfield Place is known for holiday skating while taking in its scenic views of the waterfront and city skyline.
The world-famous tower displays a combination of colors to mark various occasions and holidays throughout the year atop of the Empire State Building.
PaleyLand Holiday Extravaganza
The Paley Center for Media’s annual holiday extravaganza offers endless holiday fun, filled with seasonal activities for friends and families, including photos with Santa and meet and greets with beloved costume characters (November 16, 2022 – January 8, 2023).
Every holiday season, the famous indoor-outdoor market, Grand Bazaar, transforms into a holiday market. Drop by any Sunday from November 24 through December 22, 2022 to shop from more than 150 independent local artisans, located in the Upper West Side.
Window shop along fifth avenue from Saks Fifth Avenue to Macy’s, as Manhattan’s flagship department stores put on a big show to reveal their elaborately holiday designed windows.
Skate with Santa at The Rink at Manhattan West
The newly opened Rink at Manhattan West is offering skating sessions with Santa on Sundays, December 5, 12 & 19, 2022. The family-friendly event will feature a skating session with Santa plus the chance to catch two of his solo performances on ice.
Just in time for Christmas, everyone’s favorite Peanuts holiday special comes to life in A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage. New Yorkers can celebrate the holiday season with the Peanuts gang when A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage has its New York City premiere December 22 – 24, 2022 at The Palladium Times Square.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
One of New York City’s most famous events and the kickoff to the holiday season, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade draws millions of live spectators and more than 50 million home viewers. Watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live from New York City this year. Full of giant balloons, floats, marching bands, Broadway performances and celebrities return for the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
