The Best Way To Spend One Day in NYC for Christmas
One of the most coveted cities to be in during Christmas time, there is no shortage of things to do in New York City at Christmas time. Or at any time for that matter. With so many festive activities going on throughout NYC, how can anybody decide what to do with their time? We explored with a NYC local to figure out the best way to make the most of your trip – check out the one day guide to Christmas in New York below!
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1. Christmas Market at Bryant Park
To kick off your day in NYC, head over to Bryant Park to check out the seasonal Christmas Market. Here you will find circling rows of pop-up shops and food vendors. Peruse the artisanal gifts of this open-air market and get a bit of Christmas shopping in – or souvenir shopping if you’re in from out of town!
The holiday shops are open until 8pm everyday from the end of October until the start of January. Vendors begin selling at 10:00am on weekends and 11:00am on weekdays during the holiday season.
2. Ice Skating at Bryant Park
While you’re at Bryant Park, don’t forget to throw on some skates and get out on the ice! A fun activity for the whole family during the holidays, ice skating at Bryant Park has a tendency to be more accessible than the ice rink at the Rockefeller Center. If you prefer not to take chances and would rather reserve your tickets for the ice in advance, you’re able to make same day reservations pending availability!
Admission to the rink is completely free, but if you need to rent skates the running rate may vary between ~ $20 – $50 USD, depending on how close it is to Christmas. Open longer than their neighboring shops, skating is active from 8:00am – 10:00pm on weekdays and 8:00am – 12:00am on weekends.
3. The New York Public Library
Located adjacent to Bryant Park is the New York Public Library. Home to many famous artifacts at any given time, the library is worth a visit at any time of year. But if you’d like to take a peak while it’s dressed up for the holidays, the library boasts many decorations during the holiday season.
The New York Public Library also hosts an annual Holiday Open House featuring caroling, dancing, music, and even a display of Charles Dickens’ own copy of A Christmas Carol.
The New York Public Library opens at 10:00am everyday except Sunday, and is free to the public.
4. Saks Fifth Avenue
The Saks Fifth Avenue department store is one of the most famous places to shop designer & luxury brand clothing in NYC. Regardless of if you actually plan to shop though, it is definitely worth stopping in to admire its grandeur and festive displays! Saks Fifth Avenue has a total of nine different floors, a holiday market display, and even personal designers to help you find your best look!
Saks Fifth Avenue is open from 10:00am – 8:00pm daily and is located at 611 5th Avenue.
5. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the most highly visited cathedrals in New York City – especially around the holidays! While most visitors stop in to admire the architecture & decorations of the cathedral, there are also both self-guided and guided tours available.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is located on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st street, and is free to enter.
6. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree
The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is the most well known holiday display in New York City during the holidays. In addition to the tree, the Rockefeller Center also hosts another ice skating rink that you can reserve a time slot for, as well the option to take photos with Santa on his sleigh!
The Rockefeller Center is located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, and the tree is lit daily from 5:00am – 12:00am.
7. Radio City Music Hall
Another NYC holiday classic is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. This live performance should be booked in advance, and features a live orchestra and over one hundred performers on stage. The mesmerizing synchronized choreography follows a Christmas themed storyline over the span of 1.5 hours.
The Christmas Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes runs many times a day during the holiday season, but due to popularity should be booked in advance.
Radio City Rockettes Tickets
8. The Plaza Hotel
Even if you’re not able to book a stay at the Plaza Hotel, another fun way to enjoy in its Christmas festivities during the holiday season is to enjoy afternoon tea or evening cocktails at their Palm Court! Or if you prefer to just walk by and pretend you’re in Eloise at the Plaza, that’s good too! Just keep in mind that to actually go inside the hotel you will need reservations for either the restaurant or accommodations.
The New York City Plaza Hotel is located at 768 Fifth Avenue.
9. Central Park
While not quite as blossoming as it typically is due to the colder weather of the winter months, we still recommend taking a walk through central park after your bustling day in the city if you’ve never been to Central Park before!
Central Park is located between 59th & 110th Street to 5th & 8th Avenue in NYC.
10. Dinner on the Town
To end your festive day in NYC, pop into any one of New York’s many local restaurants! If interested, you can reserve a table at some of the restaurants that dress up extravagantly for Christmas – such as Rolf’s German Restaurant or Chumley’s – but most spots will have at least a few decorations up to enjoy! We ended up grabbing pizza at Emmett’s on Grove during our visit.
Let us know what you’re favorite holiday activity to do in NYC was in the comments below! We hope you have a great visit!
Bonus: NYC Holiday Lights Tour
As an alternative for your evening plans, if you’re tired of walking around all day, you can sign yourself up for one of the popular holiday lights bus tours around the city! These tours offer a mix of on-and-off the bus sightseeing opportunities of holiday light spectacles all over the city! Grab a bunch of friends and sign up for a festive ride!
NYC Holiday Lights Tour
Where To Stay
- Central Location: Bryant Park Hotel
- Budget: HI New York City Hostel
- Popular: Riu Plaza Manhattan
- Luxury: The Langham on 5th Avenue
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I plan a trip to NYC at Christmas? When planning to visit New York City during the holiday season, be sure to start your planning in advance. Many of the popular ticketed activities sell out early into the season due to availability, so if there is something you really want to see, give yourself some time to book tickets in advance. If you’re just planning to stroll around to the stops above and enjoy whatever festivities you come across, then all you really have to book is your accommodation!
- Is it worth spending Christmas in New York? I think it is definitely worth visiting NYC during Christmas at least once. Aside from all of the seasonal events to enjoy, the city in general is dressed up in twinkling lights and fun to visit during this time of year.
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.
