With the passing of Thanksgiving and the month of December officially upon us, the holiday season in New York is in full swing. There’s nowhere quite like New York during this time of the year, with its combination of storied traditions and new exhibitions. Check out some of the incredible and diverse holiday attractions taking place right now all across the city.
Rockefeller Christmas Tree
Kick off the holiday season by visiting one of New York’s top destinations: the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. This iconic symbol is instantly recognizable, attracting millions of visitors from across the globe every year.
After an extensive, year-long selection process, the perfect Norway spruce is chosen to serve as the focal piece of Rockefeller Center. This year’s tree stands at 72 feet tall and is decked out with 50,000 solar powered rainbow LED lights scattered amongst its branches. On top of that, a brand new Swarovski star with 3 million crystals, 70 glass spikes, and a brightness of 106,000 lumens make this tree a true holiday spectacle.
Union Square Holiday Market
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones, look no further than the Union Square Holiday Market. Drawing inspiration from Christkindlmarkts–traditional German holiday street markets–the Union Square Holiday Market features rows of charming red and white wooden booths filled with all sorts of unique and affordable goodies.
Vendors are carefully curated every year as the market welcomes back local favorites and newcomers alike. Wander through the winding aisles and browse the offerings from local craftsmen and artists selling everything from hand carved wooden goods, and expertly-crafted custom jewelry to colorful artwork and whimsical finger puppets. If you’ve worked up an appetite shopping up a storm, hot food and warm beverages are on sale, as well. The market, held in Union Square Park, is a must-visit destination this holiday season.
The Union Square Holiday Market will be open November 18–December 24, 2021.
Bryant Park Winter Village
Feel like you’re in a winter wonderland at Bryant Park’s Winter Village. Plan an all-day adventure here with the perfect combination of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Home to New York’s only admission-free ice skating rink, Bryant Park’s Winter Village lets you rent or bring your own pair of skates so you can glide around with festive tunes playing in the background. If ice skating isn’t your thing, take a walk through Bryant Park’s own set of eclectic holiday shops. Need to warm up? The newest addition to the village, The Lodge, offers a festive, indoor cocktail bar, a wide selection of eateries, and an outdoor beer garden.
Holiday Train Show
Take a trip up to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx to check out the truly magical, one-of-a-kind, Holiday Train Show. Housed under the twinkling lights of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the train show features large-scale model trains zipping through a remarkable interpretation of over 175 New York City landmarks.
Each individual structure and landmark is reimagined and meticulously handcrafted using bark, leaves, and other plant-based materials. Marvel at the representations of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, and other iconic skyscrapers. This year’s exhibition features Lower Manhattan as its star, with the introduction of One World Trade Center and the historic Battery Maritime Building, accompanied by two vintage ferry boats.
Make sure to get tickets in advance because this enchanting display typically sells out.
Will be held from Saturday, November 20, 2021 – Sunday, January 23, 2022
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Located in the southwest section of Brooklyn, Dyker Heights might be a little out of the way, but the unmatched extravagance of these displays is definitely worth the trip. Residents in this predominantly Italian neighborhood take immense pride in their holiday spirit, with houses on street after street decked out in lights and decorations.
Get into the holiday spirit and literally walk through a winter wonderland. With Christmas carols playing, lights wrapped around houses and trees twinkling, inflatable Santas and Rudolphs decorating rooftops, life-size toy soldiers sitting on front porches, and illuminated snowflakes and presents on lawns, this neighborhood is sure to put you in the holiday mood.
If you’re feeling adventurous or prefer to do things at your own pace, you can take yourself on a self-guided stroll through the neighborhood. But if you’re new to the area and would prefer some guidance, there are walking or bus tours available. Either way, prepare to be blown away by this dazzling spectacle!
Decorations stay up through January 1.
Lighting Largest Hanukkah Menorahs
To commemorate the Festival of Lights, stop by either one of the daily ceremonies taking place in Manhattan or Brooklyn this week. Named the World’s Largest Menorah, this massive 32-foot-high, 4,000 pound golden icon is located in Manhattan at Grand Army Plaza (between 58th Street and 60th Street, just west of Fifth Avenue).
If you’re not up for the crowds in Midtown, don’t worry, a similar celebration is held in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza with an enormous menorah of its own. Enjoy live music, latkes, and gifts at this festive celebration.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Kwanzaa, a celebration of African-American heritage rooted in the holiday’s seven core principles, takes place from December 26 to January 1 every year. Join in on the festivities at two of the city’s largest celebrations taking place on December 29th.
Hosted by the American Museum of Natural History, this cultural festival features a local artisan marketplace offering traditional crafts and a variety of live performances ranging from spoken word to African dance and music.. This year’s program features a live drawing performance from Black Comics Collective and an Afro-Cuban musical and dance performance from Oyu Oro.
Harlem’s Apollo Theater hosts its annual celebration featuring the renowned New York-based dance company, Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. This joyous occasion celebrates the core tenets of family, community, and culture with lively performances and family-friendly activities.
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