Christmas Time in New York 2024

Christmas time in New York is really special. The atmosphere is indescribable; you’ll be amazed by the countless lights and festive decorations. For Americans, Christmas is an important holiday and this you can see everywhere. Every year a huge Christmas tree is illuminated at the Rockefeller Center, special Christmas shows are on stage and the windows of the shops on Fifth Avenue are beautifully decorated!

Christmas Time in New York

If you are in New York during Christmas, there are several activities that you can do to soak up this atmosphere. Discover the most beautiful Christmas lights and decorations in the city, see one of the beloved Holiday shows and enjoy some Christmas shopping. Here are my recommendations for Christmas time in New York.

1. The Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights

   The Christmas lights decorating American houses are breathtaking. To see exuberantly decorated houses (you certainly know them from series and movies) you should not stay in Manhattan but go to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. This affluent area has even been chosen as the “best-decorated neighbourhood of America”. Take part in the Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights and explore the beautifully lit and decorated homes.

   The tour begins in Midtown where your bus with a guide heads to Brooklyn. Once in Dyker Heights, you won’t believe what you’re seeing! Some of the extravagant creations cost more than $10,000. To keep your Christmas spirit high, Christmas videos and Christmas carols will be played on the bus.

   Book your Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights here

   Eric’s Tip: “If you are in New York during Christmas time, this tour is a must. You get to see the houses as you know them from the American TV shows. During the tour, there is plenty of time to take pictures and you’ll be amazed by the decorations. This tour will certainly get you in the Christmas spirit. Note that it is very popular, so it’s best to book in advance.”

   About Eric

   Hey there, I'm Eric!

   I'm a true New York fan with over 20 years of experience visiting and living in NYC. Here on my website, I share all my tips and valuable information to help you make the most of your trip. I personally test and regularly re-test everything on my site to ensure that what I write is helpful, honest, and always up to date.

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2. Radio City Christmas Spectacular (The Rockettes)

   The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring The Rockettes is one of the most iconic Christmas shows in New York. It includes Santa, the Nutcracker and of course the Nativity. Starting in early November, you can visit one of the many shows a day. If you’ve already seen the show once you can definitely go again, as the show’s a bit different every year. It’s held at Radio City Music Hall and is truly the best way to get into the Christmas spirit.

   Book your tickets for Radio City Christmas Spectacular here
   

   

3. Festive Christmas Cruise

   Get well and truly into the Christmas spirit during this festive Christmas cruise in New York. Aboard this 1920s vintage-style yacht, enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and Christmas songs performed by a live band as you pass the Manhattan skyline.

   Book the Christmas Cruise in New York here

4. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

   The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is an attraction in its own right. The tree needs to be a minimum of 20 metres tall and around 7.5 metres wide but it’s usually much taller (between 23 and 27 metres). The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is put in place in mid-November. It is decorated with 5 miles (8 km) of fairy lights which are lit in a public ceremony that takes place the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. In 2025, the Rockefeller Tree lighting ceremony falls on December 3rd.

   The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lights will be turned off in January. The tree is illuminated daily from 05:00 until 0:00 and from December 15th through Christmas Eve, the tree will be lit from 5:00 until 1:00. On Christmas Day the tree is illuminated for 24 hours. On New Year’s Eve, the lights are turned off at 21:00.

   

   Rockefeller Center VIP tickets

   If you want to see the Rockefeller Tree up close, you can book Rockefeller Center VIP tickets. With these tickets, you’ll enjoy an exclusive up-close viewing of the Tree and admire it from a unique perspective. When Santa is around, you’ll also have a chance to meet him for a photo.

   The Rockefeller Center VIP ticket includes access to Top of the Rock via a private elevator. During your visit, you will experience the Beam and SKYLIFT. Additionally, a guide will accompany you along the way and can tell you more!

   Book your Holiday VIP Tickets for Rockefeller Center here

5. Rockefeller Center ice skating

   In addition to a beautiful Christmas tree, Rockefeller Center is also famous for its skating rink. Skating in New York at Rockefeller Center is a great experience. The queues at the Rockefeller Rink can be quite long. Do you want to skate here during the Christmas season? Then you can opt for an ice skating package.

6. Christmas Walking Route

   Do you want to see the highlights of Christmas lights in New York? Then take my Christmas walking route. You can explore the city at your own pace with my app. Walk past the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the beautiful displays of the shops on Fifth Avenue and more.

   Get my Christmas Walking Route here

   

7. Christmas Horse Carriage Ride

   Christmas in New York is magical, but it can get even more magical in the back of a horse carriage. During this tour, you can sit back and enjoy Central Park, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and many more. See how all the lights are twinkling and get the true New York Christmas spirit.

   Book the Horse Carriage Ride here

8. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

   The Nutcracker is performed by the New York City Ballet each year during the holiday season, starting from the end of November until the beginning of January. With music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Balanchine, The Nutcracker is a classic piece loved and watched by many. If you’re in New York, you can enjoy the magical Christmas world including the toy soldiers and incredible visual effects in the David H. Koch Theatre.

   Book your Nutcracker tickets here

9. Christmas Markets

   In New York, there are a number of Christmas markets you can visit. Two of the best are Bryant Park and Union Square. The Bryant Park Christmas Market starts at the end of October and runs until the beginning of January. This is a large market and because you can also go ice skating and sit in the cafe, it’s the absolute best Christmas experience. You can buy Christmas decorations and ornaments.

   These Holiday markets aren’t cheap but it’s all about the experience, after all. I once bought a New York taxi tree ornament, as well as a hotdog stand one! The Union Square Christmas Market is a little smaller. It’s on from the end of November to December 24th (closed on Thanksgiving). At this market, you can get food and presents.

   

10. Decorated Shop Windows

    If there is one thing during Christmas in New York that will surely put you in the festive mood, it’s the beautifully decorated streets and shop windows. Big department stores really dedicate the whole year to preparing their Christmas window displays, each telling its own story. The shop windows are somewhat of a gift to the public and are not prominently sales-driven.

    It’s popular for both locals and tourists to wander past the stores during Christmas time in New York, especially on Fifth Avenue. The department stores with the best shop windows are Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany’s. Macy’s should, of course not be missed.

When will the Christmas decorations go up?

The Christmas decorations in shops are usually revealed at the end of November, or the beginning of December: typically after Thanksgiving. This is also the case for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. After New Year, most of the shops will remove their decorations.

Santaland – Christmas at Macy’s

The department store Macy’s is a must-visit at Christmas time in New York. Everything is beautifully decorated both inside and outside the Herald Square store. From mid-November, you can find all kinds of beautiful Christmas decorations at Macy’s Holiday Lane on the 9th floor. It’s a shopper’s paradise for Christmas!

In addition, Macy’s Santaland, a magical Christmas village, occupies the entire 8th floor of the store. Santa Claus himself is present during this month-long celebration, starting usually from the end of November until Christmas Eve, so you (or your children) can meet him and get a photograph (for a fee). Because Santa is very busy this time of the year, advance online reservations are required.