New York City sparkles during the holidays, with festive markets, iconic light displays and celebrations throughout the five boroughs.
Whether you’re ice skating at Rockefeller Center, shopping for unique gifts or enjoying cultural festivities, here’s your guide to reveling in the holiday spirit.
New York City’s holiday markets are popular seasonal attractions featuring vendors selling gifts, crafts and festive treats. They open for a limited time at key locations like Bryant Park and Grand Central Terminal.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Oct. 24, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More information can be found at bryantpark.org.
The Grand Central Holiday Fair
Nov. 10, 2025 – Dec. 24, 2025
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information is available at grandcentralterminal.com.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Dec. 2, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2025
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
More information is available at centralpark.com.
Herald Holiday Market
Dec. 3, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
More information is available at urbanspacemarkets.com.
Whether you’re skating at the famous Rockefeller Center rink or at Bryant Park, there’s a spot for every skater to enjoy the season.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
The Rink at Rockefeller Center officially opened for the season on Oct. 11. Tickets are available for purchase through March 2025. The rink is open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight, and tickets are required for entry.
More information is available at rockefellercenter.com.
Bryant Park Rink
Located inside the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, the 17,000-square-foot rink offers free admission to those who bring their own skates, as well as a variety of pricing options that vary depending on the day and time of day for those looking to rent skates on site.
The rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through March 2025, with hours extended to midnight through Jan. 4. New skate reservation dates will be released throughout the season. Select weekend and holiday hours may change.
More information is available at bryantpark.com.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
The open-air rinks at LeFrak Center, located in Prospect Park, offer ice skating and ice hockey lessons for all ages. Tickets are required, and hours vary for certain activities.
The rink is open from 1:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, with additional sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. on Friday. The rink is open from 12 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with additional sessions from 8 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. on Saturdays.
More information is available at prospectpark.org.
Industry City Ice Rink
Located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, this seasonal outdoor rink is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It offers skate rentals and a backdrop of the Brooklyn waterfront. Tickets are required, including for special events, such as theme nights.
For more details, visit the Industry City Ice Rink website.
World Ice Arena
The World Ice Arena is an indoor rink located at the Aquatic Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park that is open year-round. Tickets are required for skating, and lessons are available on select dates.
More information is available at worldice.com.
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
The Staten Island Skating Pavilion is an indoor rink open year-round, with public skating sessions available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are required, and rental skates are available.
More information is available at thepavilion.org.
Manhattan:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2025. This annual event will feature a live broadcast as part of the “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” special on NBC. The ceremony runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the tree will be lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight through mid-January 2026.
Viewing hours are 5 a.m. to midnight daily, with special hours on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
More information is available at rockefellercenter.com/holidays.
Bryant Park Christmas Tree Lighting
The annual tree lighting will take place on Dec. 2, hosted by by American actor and chef David Burtka. The event will include festive performances, ice skaters — including Olympian and U.S. champion Mariah Bell — and the illumination of the 45-foot tree, which will remain on display through the season. Expect fireworks, special holiday music moments and more.
More information is available at bryantpark.org.
Central Park Holiday Tree Lighting
The 29th annual tree lighting will take place on Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. The lighting gives attendees the opportunity to meet Santa and friends, sing carols on the plaza and participate in seasonal activities. The event concludes with the lighting of a “flotilla of trees” on the Harlem Meer.
More information is available at centralparknyc.org.
Queens:
Queens County Farm Museum Tree Lighting
The 2025 Christmas Tree Lighting at Queens County Farm Museum is on Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The event is free to the public, with some additional farm activities requiring tickets.
Find out more at queensfarm.org.
Astoria Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
The annual festival takes place at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7, at Astoria Park’s Great Lawn. It features an appearance by The Sugarplums.
Find more information at centralastoria.org.
Woodhaven Holiday Tree Lighting
The Woodhaven Business Improvement District will host its tree lighting on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue, near Forest Park. The group plans to celebrate with caroling, a visit from Santa Claus and more.
More information is available at woodhavenbid.org.
Brooklyn:
Fort Greene Tree Lighting
Fort Greene Park will host its 11th annual tree lighting on Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., in partnership with the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership.
Visitors can gather at the Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street entrance as the park’s tree is illuminated for the season. A rain date is scheduled for Dec. 6.
For more information, visit nycgovparks.org.
Brooklyn Heights Tree Lighting
The Brooklyn Heights Garden Club will host its annual tree lighting on Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the foot of Montague Street.
Visit the Brooklyn Heights Association’s website for more details.
DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting
DUMBO will hold its annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 4, with festivities running from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Dumbo Archway and Plaza.
The tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m., with a countdown led by Alexandria Sica. The celebration features a visit from Santa Claus, holiday music, hot cocoa and holiday-themed projections created by Augenblick Studios.
Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for the 84th Precinct’s Operation Sleigh Ride and packaged goods for the Vinegar Hill Pantry Food Drive.
More information is available at dumbo.nyc.
The Bronx:
Bronx Little Italy Christmas Tree Lighting
The Belmont Business Improvement District will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 6, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ciccarone Park.
Attendees can meet Santa, sing carols and enjoy Italian cookies and hot chocolate from local businesses. A toy giveaway will also take place.
For more information, visit bronxlittleitaly.com.
Bronx Community Board 7 Tree Lighting
This annual event lights up the neighborhood on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. on the Mosholu Parkway Lawn at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway and Bainbridge Avenue. This year features hot chocolate, holiday activities and special entertainment.
More information is available on social media.
Staten Island:
Empire Outlets Holiday Tree Lighting
Empire Outlets on Staten Island will host its annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Guests can meet Santa Claus and the Grinch and enjoy s’mores, hot chocolate, cookies, coffee and gelato for purchase.
More information is available at empireoutlets.nyc.
Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town’s annual tree lighting will be held on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. It will include live music, festive refreshments and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Following the tree lighting, the site will transform into a Dickens-style holiday wonderland on Dec. 6 and 7, with history demonstrations, holiday performances, crafts, gift shopping, horse-drawn carriage rides and more.
More information is available at historicrichmondtown.org.
The World’s Largest Menorah Lightings
Both Grand Army Plaza in Midtown and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn compete for the title of the “World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah,” but Manhattan’s continues to hold the official title from the Guinness Book of World Records.
The 32-foot-tall steel menorahs illuminate each night of the eight-day holiday.
Hanukkah this year takes place from sundown on Dec. 14 to sundown on Dec. 22.
Hanukkah Celebrations at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan will host a three-day Hanukkah celebration from Dec. 19 to 21, featuring music, crafts, dancing dreidels and interactive puppet play.
Families can decorate wooden dreidels, create shamash paper candles and explore collaborative menorahs with hands-on activities designed for young children. The weekend also includes a special performance by Tkiya Music on Dec. 21.
More information is available at cmom.org.
Hanukkah Family Day at the Jewish Museum
On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., enjoy a day filled with Hanukkah-themed art activities at the Jewish Museum.
Visitors can dance along to Grammy Award-winner Joanie Leeds, explore a new display of more than 130 Hanukkah menorahs from around the world and create shadow puppets inspired by the holiday story.
Additional activities include designing light-focused sculptures, making pop-up collage cards and creating digital avatars inspired by menorahs.
Tickets are $24 for adults. Museum members and children 18 and under get in for free.
More information is available at thejewishmuseum.org.
Hanukkah Bash 2025
The Museum of Jewish Heritage will host a Hanukkah celebration for young professionals on Dec. 18 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., featuring an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and panoramic views of New York Harbor. The event is co-hosted by the museum’s Young Friends group and WindowsWear founder Jon Harari, with music by DJ Matan Baron.
Early bird tickets are $72 through Dec. 9, rising to $108 for standard admission and $150 at the door. Guests can also purchase a $180 Young Friends Chai membership, which includes a complimentary party ticket and yearlong member benefits.
More information is available at mjhnyc.org.
The Kwanzaa Ball: A Night of Culture & Cooperative Joy
Juneteenth in Queens will host The Kwanzaa Ball on Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Edward Davis Center, bringing the community together for an evening centered on the Nguzo Saba and the celebration of unity and culture.
The event features food, music and honors recognizing community members, followed by an after-party.
Tickets range from $25 to $50.
More information is available at eventbrite.com
Kofago Dance Ensemble at Queensborough Performing Arts Center
The Kofago Dance Ensemble will present its eighth annual Kwanzaa celebration, “Kélé Kungo – Strong Tradition,” on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center.
In partnership with Queensborough Community College’s Dance Program, this year’s performance highlights the resilience and cultural power of African and African diasporic traditions through dance, music and storytelling.
Advance tickets are available through Dec. 12 at $25 for general admission, $20 for students and $15 for children and elders. Day-of tickets increase to $30, $25 and $20, respectively.
More information is available at kwanzaacelebration.org.
Brooklyn Children’s Museum Kwanzaa Celebration
New York City’s largest Kwanzaa celebration returns for its 18th year with a weeklong festival from Dec. 26 through Dec. 30, honoring African heritage and the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
The event features daily candle lightings, youth performances and a full lineup of dance, drumming and art workshops.
Tickets are $15 for those ages 1 and over. More information is available at brooklynkids.org.
As the holiday season unfolds, New York City transforms into a dazzling wonderland of festive light displays. Explore stunning illuminations from Queens to the Bronx for a magical journey through enchanting lights.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Nov. 21, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Where:
Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Blvd., The Bronx
Hours:
Daily: Select nights, starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are required and will need to be reserved in advance.
More information is available at bronxzoo.com.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Nov. 21. 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Where:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington Ave., Brooklyn
Hours:
Daily: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; last entry time most nights is 8:15 p.m. Ticket prices vary depending on the day and time.
More information is available at bbg.org.
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
Nov. 15, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026
Where:
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd., The Bronx
Hours:
Daily: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information is available at nybg.org.