New York City turns into a winter wonderland for the holidays—and Manhattan is the star of the show. From the legendary Rockefeller tree to festive window displays, the Big Apple is where the season truly comes alive.
Here’s your guide to the best holiday season activities in Manhattan.
Shopping
- Fifth Avenue Window Displays (5th Ave, New York, NY): Every holiday season, the luxury department stores and boutiques on Fifth Avenue roll out window displays that are so intricate and creative, they take a year to plan. Stores such as Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and Bergdorf Goodman get involved, transforming their storefronts into a holiday masterpiece. But note, this year, Saks’s famous light show is on brief hiatus.
- Christmas Market Walking Tour (10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY): Holiday markets are a wintertime essential in New York, and you’ve got plenty to choose from—Union Square, Columbus Circle, and Bryant Park all host their own festive markets. Want to learn what makes each one special? Join a Christmas market walking tour. Some tours even include a visit to iconic Manhattan locations from classic Christmas movies.
Attractions and Activities
- New York Philharmonic (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, NY): This holiday season, the Phil orchestra is serving up two festive specials: Elf in Concert (minus Will Ferrell) and Handel’s Messiah, a holiday tradition. Fun fact: Back in the 19th century, a Christmas symphony special became embroiled in a battle over whether the Phil should stick with classics or perform new American music.
- Gingerbread Lane (88 Essex St, New York, NY): Essex Market in Lower East Side hosts the world’s largest gingerbread village, certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. To earn its word record title, Gingerbread Lane must meet some strict (and sweet) criteria: every single element must be edible. That means that the 1,000 houses, stores, breweries, dance studios, and bakeries—everything you’d find in a regular town—are made entirely of gingerbread, icing, and candy.
- Central Park’s Menorah Lighting (Grand Army Plaza): Along with a ceremony in Brooklyn, this is one of New York’s largest Menorah Lighting. The public lighting happens next to the Pulitzer Fountain, near Central Park, and takes place every night of Hanukkah along with live music and Chassidic dancing.
- Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Show (1260 6th Ave, New York, NY): Year after year, the Rockettes deliver a festive show at Radio City Music Hall filled with sky-high kicks, show-stopping costumes, and choreography so in sync, even the toughest critic will be impressed.
Food and Drink
- Beekman Hotel (123 Nassau St, New York, NY): If you’re in the mood for some holiday romance, the Beekman Hotel is the place to be. With its towering Christmas tree and elegant ambiance, it’s the perfect setting for date-night cocktails or a festive catch-up with friends.
- Rolf’s (281 3rd Ave, New York, NY): This Bavarian pub is more known for its Christmas decorations than food. It’s absolutely over-the-top with more ornaments than you can count. But fair warning: this holiday activity might overwhelm the easily overstimulated.
- Miracle on 9th Street (649 E 9th St, New York, NY): This Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar (previously mezcal bar, The Cabinet) serves festive drinks like Jingle Ball Nog, Christmapolitan, and Naughty or Nice Shots.
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