There is so much Christmas magic when you visit New York during December. The City transforms in front of your eyes with pop-up Christmas markets, beautiful 5th Avenue windows, Macy’s Santaland, and of course the Rockefeller Christmas tree. It’s a bucket list experience and one that I would recommend to everyone.
Here are my top experiences to get you in the Holiday Spirit!
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Christmas Trees
Christmas trees can be found throughout New York but here are a list of my favorite Christmas tree locations:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Christmas tree is the quintessential symbol of Christmas in New York. This spectacular tree is 75 feet tall and stands between Rockefeller Center and an outdoor ice rink.
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library, you ask? Yes, the public library is a wonderful place to get you in the holiday spirit! First off, who can resist the mighty library lions out front with their giant wreaths around their necks. Patience and Fortitude (the statue lions) are extremely festive during this time of year. In the atrium of the library stands a gorgeous woodsy themed Christmas tree that is not well known and is the perfect backdrop for your holiday card.
Empire State Building
In the lobby of the Empire State Building stands a Christmas tree that accentuates the beautiful marble walls and floor of the interior. To view this tree, you must actually walk into the lobby of the Empire State Building, not into the entry that takes you to the top of the Empire State Building.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
While the Metropolitan Museum of Art is not free to visit, it’s well worth the price to see the Christmas tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche. The Christmas tree stands 20 feet tall with a stunning 18th century Neapolitan Nativity scene underneath. There are over 200 Neapolitan Crèche figures and it is a long-standing holiday tradition of the Met to present this Christmas tree.
Christmas Window Displays
Strolling down 5th Avenue at night while viewing the gorgeous window displays is a fun part of getting in the Christmas spirit. Department stores unveil their Christmas store windows in late November, each with a different theme. The top store windows in 2021 were Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Henri Bendel, Tiffany & Co., and of course Macy’s. Tiffany never disappoints but my favorites were Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue!
Macy's
Macy’s on 34th Street (Miracle on 34th Street anyone?) has two entirely different window displays during Christmas. As I visited in December 2021, their theme was ‘Believe in The Wonder of Giving’ with the loveable Sunny the Snowpal. However, if you walk along 34th Street, they also had an entire window display devoted to ‘Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus’. Both window displays were gorgeous with such intricate detail.
If you venture inside Macy’s, because why wouldn’t you, you will discover that your children can visit Santa at Santaland. Reservations are required and it is very busy. I managed to snag a reservation just 4 days ahead of time. It is an hour immersed experience but worth it if you have little ones.
Saks Fifth Avenue
The 2021 Saks Fifth Avenue window display theme was ‘Theater of Dreams’ where each window was a scene from the Broadway stage. The best part wasn’t even the punny names (“Puttin’ on the Glitz!”), but the gorgeous nightly light show! The entire store lights up and is synchronized to music. This happens every night, during the month of December, starting at 6pm and plays every 15 minutes after. Do not miss this!
Christmas Markets
Christmas markets pop-up all over the City and are a fun way to get in the holiday spirit. Each market showcases many of the same small businesses so there is no reason to visit all of them. The Christmas markets are Winter Village at Bryant Park, Union Square Christmas Market, Columbus Circle Christmas Market, and Grand Central Station Christmas Market.
My favorite was the Winter Village at Bryant Park because they had the largest selection of shops and eateries plus am ice skating rink in the middle. The Grand Central Station Christmas Market was the smallest but had entirely different stores then the rest. This market was geared toward higher price and luxury items.
Ice Skating
When you visit New York during Christmas you HAVE to ice skate on an outdoor rink!
Wollman Rink in Central Park is probably the most well-known outdoor ice skating rink as it was featured in the movie ‘Serendipity’. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is a gorgeous setting with the Rockefeller Christmas tree gleaming above you. While both are excellent contenders, I chose to ice skate at The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park. Why? Because it was free!
Christmas Spectacular: Radio City Rockettes
The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular show is perfect for getting in the holiday spirit! The show is 1 1/2 hours long with no intermission and is for all ages. The Rockettes put on a spectacular show with their amazing choreographed dances and high-kick lines.
Until next time,
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