Are you planning to take the kids into Manhattan to see and do the best Christmas activities in NYC this holiday season? See the Rockefeller Christmas tree. Catch a holiday show. Or simply go ice-skating in an iconic NYC location. The city is full of holiday happenings right now, so why not make a day of it? Add some of these activities to your day in Manhattan and create lasting magical memories. Read up on the best Christmas activities in NYC for families, plan which day you’ll make the trek across the bridge (or by ferry!), and be on your way to a merry and bright holiday season!
Holiday Window Displays in NYC
Every holiday season, the largest department stores in Manhattan unveil lavish holiday window displays. Viewing these holiday windows has become an essential Christmas activity in NYC.
Macy’s
151 W. 34 St., Herald Square
212-695-4400
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On your way to visit Santaland, stop to see the store’s iconic windows. Since 1874, Macy’s has created a destination in its holiday windows, bringing the spirit of the season to life in animated fashion. This season, Macy’s will feature a journey of discovery and triumph as a very special reindeer takes to the sky to help Santa Claus bring joy to millions of children, all made possible when she finally believed.
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Bloomingdale’s
1000 Third Ave., Midtown
212-705-2000
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Get your Little Brown Bag ready for holiday shopping and sightseeing! One of the most impressive department stores in the city, Bloomingdale’s is not only a mecca for year-round shopping. It’s a great place to visit during the holiday season to see a beautiful holiday window display right in the heart of Midtown.
Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Ave., Midtown
212-753-4000
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Celebrate the season in style with this department store holiday window display. The windows are on display through the end of December for shoppers and passersby to see in person. And don’t miss the spectacular light show every 10 minutes starting as soon as it’s dark enough outside.
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Bergdorf Goodman
754 Fifth Ave., Midtown
212-753-7300
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This year’s holiday window theme is called The Present Moment. It features colorful vignettes that depict joyous moments frozen in time where whimsical characters are seen living for the moment and in the moment. The department store also opened a 7th floor corner shop, a holiday pop-up filled with exclusive New York-inspired novelties. A portion of proceeds from this shop will benefit City Harvest, an organization that helps feed hungry New Yorkers.
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Tiffany & Co.
6 E. 57th St., Midtown East
800-843-3269
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Tiffany’s is a gem of a store. While the shop is undergoing a renovation, passersby can still see a festive holiday display in the iconic jewelry store’s windows.
Coach
685 Fifth Ave., Midtown
212-758-2450
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Coach’s slogan of the season is Give A Little Love. Beautiful lights adorn the designer handbag shop’s exterior. Catch a glimpse through the windows of a heart-warming holiday animal display that features penguins and polar bears, all reminiscent of old-fashioned holiday ornaments.
Prada
724 Fifth Ave., Midtown
212-664-0010
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This eye-catching window display features festive designs and products from the shop’s Glow holiday party collection. The fashion-focused display shows off crystal skirts, loafers, silver cross-body bags, and other accessories. Lots of sequin pieces are on display, too…perfect for ringing in the New Year!
Christmas Activities in NYC: Holiday Sightseeing
Wherever you look, there’s something signature of this joyous time of year. There’s plenty to see and do throughout the borough, from ice-skating in Rockefeller Center to holiday shopping in Bryant Park. Here are our picks for holiday sightseeing, with some fun family activities sprinkled in!
Rockefeller Center
Fifth Avenue, between 49 and 50 Streets, Rockefeller Plaza
212-588-8601
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The holiday season brings to mind a beautiful scene of ice-skating at Rockefeller Center with the majestic Christmas tree in the background. There are many places to ice skate in NYC, but Rockefeller Center is a must-do holiday experience for everyone, whether you’re a native New Yorker, new resident, or visiting from out of town. The rink is open daily this holiday season, 9am-12am. Tickets are $20-54 for ages 6 and older; $8-22 for kids ages 5 and younger.
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Bank of America Winter Village
Bryant Park, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, between 40 and 42 streets, Midtown
212-768-4242
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Bryant Park’s Winter Village is a European-inspired open-air market, with each merchant housed in an individual “jewel box” kiosk. Browse more than 170 merchants from NYC and around the world. After you’re done shopping, take a spin on the ice! Unlike in Rockefeller Center, skating in Bryant Park is free (skate rentals are $15-$45).
American Museum of Natural History’s Origami Holiday Tree
200 Central Park W., Upper West Side
212-769-5100
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Visiting the museum this holiday season? Stop by and see the Origami Tree! As a celebration of the museum tradition that started in the early 1970s, the theme of the 13-foot tree is Gems of the Museum, featuring 50 specially created gold-colored models for the “golden anniversary” 50th Origami Holiday Tree. Among the more than 1,000 origami pieces decorating the tree will be models of dazzling specimens from the new Allison & Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, jaw-some pieces inspired by the new special exhibition Sharks, and those depicting iconic museum exhibits like the Blue Whale, Titanosaur, and T. rex. Reservations must be made online (amnh.org). General admission is $23 adults, $18 students and seniors, and $13 kids ages 3-12.
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Holiday Light Displays in Manhattan
From the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to the Seaport’s Menorah Lighting, there’s so much dazzle throughout the city this time of year. Feeling overwhelmed with so many displays to see? Don’t know where to start? We added some fun holiday tours to our list, so you can see several light displays and other attractions all at once!
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Plaza, between 48 and 51 streets, Rockefeller Center
212-588-8601
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The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held Wednesday, Dec. 1. The tree will shine bright with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights. After the official ceremony, which will be broadcast live on NBC, the tree will be lit daily from 6am-12am for all to enjoy. This year’s tree made headlines as the first Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to come from Maryland!
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
Between Tenth and Twelfth avenues, from 30th to 34th streets, Hudson Yards
646-954-3155
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Presented by Wells Fargo, Shine Bright features more than 2 million lights illuminating The Shops, Public Square and Gardens, Edge, and Vessel.
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Brookfield Place Luminaries
230 Vesey St., Battery Park City
212-978-1673
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Luminaries, a mesmerizing display of colorful lanterns, returns to Brookfield Place with a new experience called Maestro. It allows visitors to conduct the canopy using a gesture-controlled instrument to display their own unique light shows in unison with holiday music. Maestro runs Dec. 4-7, 11-12, and 16-19, 10am-8pm. For added holiday fun, Luminaries features light shows set to holiday songs at the top of every hour, Nov. 29-Jan. 2, 2022, daily, 8am-10pm.
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Holiday Lights Extravaganza Walking Tour
977 Sixth Ave., Midtown
844-407-1795
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As part of this walking tour, you’ll visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the famous department store window displays, and many other holiday-decorated spots while learning about NYC’s traditions. The tour ranges from 3-4 hours and includes a 45-minute shopping excursion. Tickets are $50. Various dates available in December. Check the website for more information.
Christmas Activities in NYC: Holiday Shows
Get your tickets in advance to one of these exciting holiday shows in Manhattan.
Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Through Jan. 2, 2022: See website for the schedule.
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown
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The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, presented by Chase, is back this holiday season with performances at Radio City Music Hall! The Christmas Spectacular is a one-of-a-kind tradition where the magic of Christmas in New York comes alive. $49 and up.
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Big Apple Circus
Through Jan. 30: See the website for schedule.
60 Lincoln Center Plaza, Lincoln Center
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The Big Apple Circus returns to Lincoln Center and this time with world-renowned aerialist, high wire artist and Guinness World Record holder, Nik Wallenda at the helm. Aptly titled “Making The Impossible, Possible!” Wallenda has partnered with a team of live entertainment super producers from the circus world, live music, and Broadway to make Big Apple Circus more exciting by adding a modern flair to this beloved classic. $24 and up.
‘Twas the Night Before…by Cirque du Soleil
Dec. 9-21; See website for schedule.
Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue at 32nd Street, Midtown
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A much different take on this classic tale, this Cirque du Soleil show is an acrobatic spectacle about the joys of sharing and friendship. It’s also the performance group’s first-ever Christmas show! $50 and up.
New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker
Through Jan. 2, 2022: See website for schedule
David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, Lincoln Center
212-496-0600
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The beloved tale, “The Nutcracker,” returns to Lincoln Center this year. Celebrate the season with beautiful costumes and sets and let the music and dance transport you to a land of enchantment. $60 and up.
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