A Hallmark Winter in New York City: Things to do This Christmas in NYC

JAHLEAH SANTIAGO
Oct 29
4 min read

Updated: Nov 19

Whether you're trying to have a quiet and cozy winter season or tear your holidays right out of the golden age of film, New York City has never stopped delivering on pop-ups, holiday bars, and full scale productions.

We've carefully crafted the guide to seeing it all so you can fit more into your schedule for a decked out or stripped down Christmas in NYC!

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

View the legendary Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, transported from East Greenbush and standing 75 feet tall, set to be adorned with 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski Star featuring 3 million crystals, at the annual lighting ceremony scheduled Wednesday, December 3rd, from 7–10 p.m. (You can also go ice skating here as most already know).

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes at this year’s Christmas Spectacular, with tickets now available online and show times scheduled from November through January at Radio City Music Hall. Things to do This Christmas in NYC

Shop at The Winter Village at Bryant Park Things to do This Christmas in NYC

Visit the Winter Village at Bryant Park, where the European-inspired open-air Holiday Shops by Urbanspace feature New York City and international artisans in custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks along the park’s allées, plazas, and terraces, offering local crafts, artisan provisions, delicious foods and exquisite gifts from around the world. (P.S make a day out of it by checking out the ice skating rink, igloos or ice bumper cars )

Santa's Secret New York: Speakeasy Room

Get festive with friends or lovers at Santa’s Secret, a naughty variety show filled with dazzling dance numbers, captivating vocals, elaborate costumes, and themed performances, complete with detailed ensembles, a feel-good holiday soundtrack, and a heavy dose of humor and seduction. (Must be 21 or older to enjoy)

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour in Brooklyn

Book the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Bus Tour, founded by Dyker Heights residents and departing conveniently from Manhattan near the Winter Village at Bryant Park, for a guided holiday light experience that includes a comfortable ride, expert commentary, and a magical walking tour through Dyker Heights’ most spectacularly decorated homes.

Find Your Dream Tree at Greg's Trees

Pick your very own Christmas tree at Greg’s Trees, where each tree—freshly cut from sustainable farms in the Pacific Northwest, Blue Ridge Mountains, or Quebec—is part of a long-standing tradition of quality and eco-friendly practices; with Greg’s elves transforming each location into a festive Christmas village, you can choose from premium varieties like Balsam, Fraser, Nordmann, and Noble firs or pick out holiday decor and other goodies.

Shop at Grand Bazaar NYC, Back for its 40th Year

Discover one-of-a-kind handmade goods at Grand Bazaar NYC which runs weekly on Sundays year round (even in brisk temperatures) and hosts nearly 150 vendors selling a variety of products perfect for gifting or treating yourself.

Mariah Carey's Holiday Bar

Step into Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar on the Roofdeck at Untitled Hotel, a fully immersive holiday oasis returning to New York and featuring wall-to-wall Mariah-inspired décor, interactive photo ops, a signature award wall, the “All I Want for Christmas Is You” theme played every 30 minutes, a “Letters to Mariah Carey” station, and festive food and cocktails made with Carey’s own Black Irish cream—back, bigger, and even more Mariahfied.

See A Celtic Christmas from A Taste of Ireland

Fresh off their West End debut, A Taste of Ireland brings A Celtic Christmas to New York City this holiday season, a joyful celebration of Irish culture and Christmas spirit featuring world champion dancers from Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, live music, and storytelling that transport audiences to a snow-dusted Ireland where classic carols, dazzling dance, and festive cheer come alive.

Hot Cocoa at Max Brenner

A must-visit for chocolate lovers, Max Brenner Chocolate Bar Restaurant located in Times Square and Union Square is New York City’s go-to destination for decadent hot chocolate, offering indulgent varieties like the ultra-rich Max Famous Italian Thick Hot Chocolate made with melted chocolate blocks and vanilla cream, the classic Original Chocolate, and creative flavors including Oreo, Mexican Spicy, Salted Caramel, and Peanut Butter.

BenDeLaCreme Presents The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show

Beloved drag luminaries BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon return to the stage this season with The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, unveiling an all-new iteration of their acclaimed musical comedy as it tours North America from November 12 through December 30, including a Brooklyn stop at Kings Theatre on December 4. Now in its eighth year, the production—written, produced, and directed by BenDeLaCreme—once again showcases the duo’s signature alchemy of camp, chaos, heart, and holiday mischief, bringing their singular brand of seasonal magic to 30 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Lauded by The New York Times, Billboard, and The Daily Beast, the show has become a cherished tradition known for its spectacular staging, original music, riotous storytelling, and its warm, communal spirit. Tickets and VIP packages are available at JinkxandDeLa.com.

The Origami Holiday Tree

A beloved New York City tradition, the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History returns with a dazzling 13-foot display featuring more than 1,000 hand-folded paper models by local and international artists; this year’s theme celebrates the incredible diversity of species that evolved after the asteroid impact that ended the age of dinosaurs, showcasing origami dinosaurs, extinct reptiles, and modern animals—from Triceratops and T. rex to birds and the Museum’s iconic Blue Whale—created in partnership with OrigamiUSA.

Christmas Carols and Lights in Bronx Little Italy

Celebrate the season in Bronx Little Italy with festive events including the Belmont BID’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Ciccarone Park, live nativity scenes and holiday services at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, joyful caroling and Santa sightings along Arthur Avenue, plus Italian treats and community cheer throughout December.

The Joy of Christmas: Magnificat!

Experience the Cathedral’s annual Joy of Christmas concert featuring J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Major, Handel’s Organ Concerto in B Flat performed by Cathedral organist Daniel Ficarri, works by Alison Willis, Emily Hazrati, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and beloved carols sung by all—a cherished holiday tradition that captures the spirit of the season.