Now that the holiday season is officially here, we’re taking a look at all of the can’t-miss events taking place in New York City this winter from holiday-themed bars to rooftop movies
All of the must-see attractions in New York City this holiday season(Image: Getty)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in New York City, and with the holidays finally upon us we’re taking a look at some of the can’t-miss events this season.
New York City is teeming with endless opportunities to feel the joy, warmth, nostalgia of Christmas if you do it right. December in the city can feel like a scene out of a holiday movie – from the twinkling of lights strung around every corner to the scent of hot chocolate and chestnuts radiating from street cars.
Walking around the Big Apple, there seems to be a new sight around every corner from decked out Christmas displays on Fifth Avenue to Rocketfeller Center’s massive 75-foot-tall tree to beautiful holiday-themed bars to warm up in. While it’s impossible to list out everything NYC has to offer around the holidays, here is a list everything that should be on the top of your to-do list.
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The annual Union Square Holiday Market returns this winter season(Image: China News Service via Getty Images)
Visit the Union Square Holiday Market to get into the spirit and check off presents for everyone on your Christmas list. This year’s event features over 150 vendors, all selling their own unique gifts, local art, and tons of food vendors selling a wide variety of treats.
Some of the food highlights this year include vendors selling s’mores hot chocolate, birria tacos, cheese wheel pasta, cheesy truffle fries, arepas & empanadas, lobster rolls, fresh crepes, gourmet donuts, and much more.
Location: Union Square Park is located in Manhattan at the intersection of 14th and 17th Streets, between Broadway and University Place
Dates:November 13th – December 24th
Hours:Mon to Fri: 11am to 9pmSat: 10am to 9pmSun: 11am to 7pm
If you can’t make it to Union Square this season, there are also plenty of other holiday markets scattered around the city this holiday season including Williamsburg Winter Village, Winter Village at Bryant Park, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and more.
Christmas rooftop movie night
230 Fifth Rooftop is holding a rooftop screening of Home Alone (Image: 20th Century Studios)
If you’re looking for a fun holiday date night in the city, a Christmas rooftop movie night overlooking the skyline could be the perfect choice. This December, 230 Fifth Rooftop is hosting multiple watch parties for the hit family comedy Home Alone (1999), which was originally filmed in New York City.
Location: 230 Fifth Rooftop, located at 1150 Broadway, New York, NY, in the Flatiron district a few blocks from the Empire State Building
Dates:December 7 from 6pm to 9pmDecember 21 from 6pm to 9pm
The venue will also host a screening of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), taking place on December 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets, visit their website at 230 Fifth Rooftop.
Frosty’s pop-up Christmas bar
Frosty’s pop-up bar offers holiday-themed drinks
There are many bars in NYC decked out for the holidays season
New York City is home to many themed bars and restaurants, including Frosty’s pop-up Christmas bar, which only comes once a year in the wintertime. This over-the-top spot is completely decked out in festive decor from dazzling lights, interactive photo experiences, and holiday music.
The bar also features a variety of delicious themed cocktails, including the Mistletoe Martini, The Naughty List, Jack Frost, and Santa’s Espresso. The bar also offers a variety of tasty snacks, including Santa’s Sliders, the Snowflake Sandwich, Blitzen’s Buffalo Tenders, North Pole Fries, and more.
Location:1604 Broadway, New York
Dates:November 21st – December 31st
Times vary by date, to purchase tickets to enter Frosty’s visit their website here. And if Frosty’s isn’t nearby, there are plenty of other bars that go all-out for Christmas during the wintertime, including Pink Wonderland, The Dickens, Pete’s Tavern, Rolf’s, Loreley Beer Garden, among many others.
Iceskating at Rockefeller Center
Visitors can ice skate right underneath the Rockefeller Christmas tree(Image: Getty Images)
‘Tis the season to go ice skating and there’s no better place to do it than in Rockefeller Center. Iceskating is one of New York City’s quintessential winter activities and this rink is the most scenic spot to visit during the holidays as it sits just underneath the beautiful massive lit up Rockefeller Christmas tree, which a Norway spruce that stands at 75-feet-tall.
Location:45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Dates:October 11 – mid-MarchHours:9 a.m. to midnight daily
Cost: Between $22 and $124 per person for general admission, depending on the date and time, and an additional $12 for skate rentals
And if you’re searching for other spots to ice skate this winter, there are plenty of other options available, including Wollman Rink in Central Park, Rink at Brookfield Place with Gregory & Petukhov, Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, and Glide at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Saks on Fifth Avenue Light Show
The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show is free to the public(Image: Getty Images for Saks Fifth Aven)
There is a whimsical light display happening all December long, which projects hundreds of thousands of LED lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music that visitors can see for free. The Saks on Fifth Avenue Light Show is a New York City tradition and has been taking place for the past two decades.
Location: Saks Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th StreetsDates:November 24 – early JanuaryHours:The light show plays every 10 minutes from 5 pm to 11 pm
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025 at Madison Square Garden
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2025 includes a star-studded lineup of artists
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball is a holiday concert featuring top artists performing their #1 hits, and includes multi-city tours, with a stop in New York City. The holiday-themed festival is brimming with talent this year including performances by Ed Sheeran, Reneé Rapp, Conan Gray, Laufey, MONSTA X, Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Jessie Murph, Myles Smith, Nelly, Ravyn Lenae, and Zara Larsson.
Location:Madison Square Garden – 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY
Date:December 12Time: 7:00 pm
To purchase tickets, visit the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball website.
The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular is celebrating 100 years(Image: Getty Images)
Another holiday tradition in the city is attending The Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, which is now celebrating its 100th anniversary. The dazzling performance stars the world-famous Rockettes precision dance troupe, which brings nostalgic Christmas stories to life through dancing, singing, and special effects.
The performance features traditional scenes, including the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” elements from The Nutcracker, and, of course, Santa Claus flying in a sleigh. The entire show spans 90 minutes and incorporates many holiday tunes such as Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Let It Snow, The Christmas Song, Here Comes Santa Claus, White Christmas, and many more.
Location: Radio City Music Hall – 1260 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
Dates:November 6 – January 4
Times:The exact times vary by date, but generally include morning, afternoon, and evening shows
To purchase tickets, visit the Rockettes website.
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