10 Things to Do This Holiday Season in NYC
The holidays in New York City are pure magic. From sparkling lights and festive markets to world-famous shows and skyline views, the city transforms into a winter wonderland. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a lifelong New Yorker, here are 10 must-do holiday experiences.
1. Take in the Skyline from Edge
Celebrate the season from Edge NYC, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. With panoramic views stretching across Manhattan, you can take in the city’s winter skyline at its most magical. Visit at sunset for a dazzling transition from day to night, or step onto the glass floor for a thrill 100 stories above the city. Visit Edge NYC to Buy Tickets.
From Edge, you get the best views of the Empire State Building lit up for the holidays.
2. See Vessel Illuminated at Hudson Yards
Vessel becomes even more striking during the holidays, when Hudson Yards transforms into a glowing winter wonderland with over two million lights. It’s the perfect backdrop for holiday photos. Visit Vessel NYC for tickets.
Vessel is covered in lights as part of the Hudson Yards holiday installation, one of the city’s newest festive traditions.
3. Explore the Hudson Yards Holiday Displays
Inside The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, the holidays come alive with soaring light installations, festive shopping, and seasonal dining that make it a must-visit destination. The centerpiece “Shine Bright” display features more than 700,000 twinkling lights strung across the indoor atrium, creating one of the city’s most dazzling indoor spectacles.
Beyond the lights, Hudson Yards hosts special holiday programming, from live performances to pop-up experiences, making it a place where you can shop for gifts, enjoy a festive meal, and take in the holiday atmosphere all in one visit. Visit Hudson Yards New York for more info.
The “Shine Bright” installation uses more than 5 miles of LED lights — enough to stretch from Hudson Yards to Central Park and back.
4. Visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
No trip to New York during the holidays is complete without seeing the world-famous tree at Rockefeller Center. Stay for the ice skating rink and nearby Fifth Avenue holiday windows.
The tree is typically a Norway spruce standing 75–100 feet tall, decorated with over 50,000 LED lights.
5. Stroll Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows
From Saks Fifth Avenue to Macy’s Herald Square, the city’s most iconic department stores put on elaborate holiday window displays that draw crowds from around the world.
Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light show features over 600,000 lights and takes nearly a year to design and install.
6. Walk Through Central Park in Winter
Bundle up and wander through Central Park, where snowy landscapes and horse-drawn carriages set the scene for a postcard-perfect holiday.
The Wollman Rink in Central Park is one of the most picturesque ice skating spots in the city, framed by skyline views.
7. Take in a Broadway Holiday Show
Broadway sparkles year-round, but during the holidays it feels extra special. From classics like The Nutcracker to seasonal Broadway hits, there’s a show for everyone.
Radio City’s “Christmas Spectacular” starring the Rockettes has been a New York holiday tradition since 1933.
8. Discover Holiday Markets Across the City
Union Square, Columbus Circle and Grand Central Terminal all host festive markets filled with unique gifts, crafts and treats.
The Union Square Holiday Market alone features over 150 local vendors, making it one of the largest in the U.S.
9. See the Lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
The neighborhood of Dyker Heights is famous for over-the-top holiday light displays, a New York tradition worth the trip.
This Brooklyn tradition began in the 1980s as a neighborhood competition and has since grown into one of the most spectacular holiday light displays in the U.S.
10. Go Ice Skating at Bryant Park Winter Village
The Bryant Park Winter Village offers ice skating, holiday shops and cozy food stalls – a family-friendly holiday stop in Midtown Manhattan.
The rink is the only free-admission ice skating rink in New York City (you just pay to rent skates).
Experience the Holidays from New Heights
From skating in Central Park to gazing over the glittering skyline at Edge, New York City is filled with holiday magic.