Christmas in New York 🎄🎅🏻

How many times have you seen the Christmas movies set in New York and dreamed of living such an experience at least once in your lives?

December is a magical month in New York City and the perfect one to live such an incredible atmosphere that only Christmas can create, giving unforgettable images and memories.

Christmas markets, decorated storefronts, Christmas musicals, families who choose the most beautiful Christmas tree to decorate all together in front of a fireplace while drinking a cup of hot chocolate: it sounds so American, isn’t it?

New York is made for Christmas celebrations and everything along the avenues seems to remind you that.

THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY AT CHRISTMAS

Here there are some things that you cannot miss if you decide to spend your Christmas vacation in “the city that never sleeps”.

THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE

It is a large Christmas tree placed annually in the Rockefeller Plaza, in Midtown Manhattan. The tree is erected in mid November and lit in a public ceremony in late November or early December. There is always a lot of people walking around the Rockefeller Center to see the millions of colorful lights displayed on the big tree overlooking the famous skating rink.

The Rockefeller Tree is an iconic Christmas symbol in New York and its lighting is one of the most long-awaited moment of the year. If you want to participate in this event, you should know that there are strict rules to follow and that, once the maximum number of people is reached, the area is completely barricaded, so it is recommended to go there some hours before. Unfortunately, the lighting ceremony is broadcast live only by the NBC, an American television network that is available only in the United States. You cannot even watch it in live streaming. Every year many artist performance around the tree creating a real concert. For the best view, enter Rockefeller Center from 5th Avenue and walk along the path among the angels, with the tree in the background. Entering from 47th or 50th Street is not quite the same thing. The angels, a symbol of hope, will lead you to the Rockefeller Tree, the skating rink and the Statue of Prometheus.

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE LIGHT SHOW

New York City is known for its holiday window displays and for its Christmas spirit in general. All the storefronts are decorated with the most traditional and colorful lights and ornaments and often children are called to interact with them by hitting buttons and pulling levers. If you want to attend to a real light show, the Saks building on Fifth Avenue is what you are looking for. It offers an extraordinary show of lights and Christmas songs playing at regular intervals once the sun goes down.

THE ROCKETTES RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Talking about Christmas shows, a real must-do, if you like music and theatre and above all if you are in New York for Christmas, is going to see the Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall, one of the most famous theatre of the city where also a lot of concerts take place. The Christmas Spectacular is a New York annual traditional Christmas show since 1933 and the Rockettes are an American precision dance company. During the show there are singers, figure skaters, a 3D screen showing Santa’s adventures and many special effects.

BEST CHRISTMAS SHOP EVER

Walking around the beautiful Little Italy you can find one of the best and the largest Christmas shop in New York City, a totally unexpected surprise. Its name is “Christmas in New York” and there you can find literally everything that is related to the Christmas spirit such as hand-painted Christmas balls, little or big Santas, cribs, candies, little Santa’s elves and much more. For anyone who loves the Christmas atmosphere it is absolutely the right place to go. I loved walking around all those wonderful Christmas stuff with a lovely background Christmas music. There are other shops like this all around New York and they are open all the year, not just at Christmas.

DYKER HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

If you think you have already seen so many Christmas lights around New York City or wherever, you have not been to Dyker Heights yet. It is a predominantly residential neighborhood in the southwest corner of Brooklyn. It is home to the most over-the-top Christmas light decorations with life-size Santas, sleighs, snowmen and if you are lucky you can find also a group of people singing Christmas carols in front of one or more houses. Crowds of all ages flock there to wander down the avenues and experience one of the top things to do in NYC in winter.

Most of the homeowners – and professional decorating companies – hang their Christmas lights and decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving. However, the best time to see the lights is mid-December through New Year’s Eve, between dusk and 9pm. Most of the houses turn their displays off after 9pm but some leave theirs on until late (depending on their bedtime). If you are traveling by subway, take the D Train to 79th St and New Utrecht Ave, Brooklyn. However, you will have to walk 15 minutes to get to the houses (and the terrain is a bit hilly). If you want there are also some organized Dyker Heights Christmas Lights tours every night in December (excluding Christmas Eve) that allows you to explore the houses both on foot and by bus. It is such a spectacular experience both for adults and children!

SKATING IN NEW YORK CITY

Another must-do in New York at Christmas is skating. There are many skating rinks around the city, for example in Bryant Park or in the Rockefeller Plaza but, in my personal opinion, if you really want to feel the authentic New York Christmas spirit, the ice skating rink in Central Park is the right choice. Skating with other people, listening to background Christmas music while admiring the perfect skyline that surround you is a magical experience. The price varies depending on if you go on a weekday or during the weekend but children always pay 6$. If you do not have a pair of skates don’t worry, you can rent them for 10$ (tax included). It might be seem a quite amount of money but believe me, it’s absolutely worth it!

ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Last but not least…

If you are in New York City on Christmas Day, you have to know that, on that day, all the museums and most of the attractions are closed to public except the most famous skyscrapers. So, if you do not know what to do, I suggest you to wear a funny Christmas sweater or a Christmas hat and go visiting the Empire State Building, go shopping to the Christmas markets or go for a walk around the “green lung” of the city that, of course, is the Central Park. Enjoy the day in New York City because it is a really special opportunity.

So, dear readers, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and book your next Christmas vacation in New York!

XOXO, Veronica.