Experiences
New York at Christmas: the tree, the ice rinks and the Fifth Avenue windows
Lights sparkle on the Rockefeller Center tree, roasted nuts scent the air and skates scrape the ice. How to experience New York at Christmas.
It is cold, and your breath hangs in the air. On Rockefeller Plaza the giant tree glows above the ice rink, street carts sell warm chestnuts, and the Fifth Avenue windows are full of moving festive scenes. No city does December quite like New York.
From late November to New Year, New York turns into a Christmas card. It is busy, cold and not cheap, but it is also atmospheric in a way that is hard to find anywhere else.
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How to do it
Come in early December if you can. Everything is decorated, but crowds are thinner than just before Christmas.
Walk Fifth Avenue north from Rockefeller Center in the evening, when the windows are lit.
Book skating and festive shows in advance.
Pack warm. It can be properly cold, especially in the wind between the skyscrapers.
What not to miss
The Rockefeller Center tree: usually lit around the start of December and up until after New Year, with the ice rink below.
Fifth Avenue: the department stores compete for the most spectacular Christmas windows.
Bryant Park Winter Village: a holiday market and ice rink in the middle of Midtown.
The Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall: a festive classic.
Dyker Heights in Brooklyn: a residential area where houses compete for the most lavish Christmas lights.
A tree in the city
December in New York means lights, crowds and crisp air. Photo: Jess Sanchez / Unsplash
New Year's Eve in Times Square
The midnight ball drop in Times Square is world famous, but being there means hours in the cold without facilities. An alternative is to watch from a nearby hotel or restaurant party, or to see the fireworks in Central Park.
Looking for more festive stays? See our guide to Christmas breaks.
Book experiences: See festive experiences and tickets in New York
Where to stay in New York at Christmas
Stay in Midtown and you can walk to the tree, Fifth Avenue and Bryant Park. Book early, as prices rise towards Christmas and New Year.
Baccarat Hotel
Crystal and sparkle just off Fifth Avenue. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
Baccarat Hotel New York: crystal and sparkle
Baccarat Hotel is next to MoMA and Fifth Avenue, and the lobby is filled with crystal from the French crystal house. In December it feels like staying inside a Christmas decoration.
Book your stay: See rooms at Baccarat Hotel and Residences New York
The Peninsula
A spa and pool right on Fifth Avenue. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
The Peninsula New York: right on Fifth Avenue
The Peninsula sits on Fifth Avenue itself, with the Christmas windows right outside. The spa and rooftop pool are perfect after a cold day.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Peninsula New York
The Knickerbocker: close to Times Square for New Year
The Knickerbocker is by Times Square, close to the New Year's Eve ball drop and a short walk from the Broadway theatres.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Knickerbocker Hotel
When is the best time to go?
The first half of December brings festive spirit without the worst queues. The days between Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive. The Rockefeller Center tree usually stays up into January.
When should you book?
Hotels for December: several months ahead.
Festive shows and Rockefeller Center skating: a few weeks ahead.
Restaurants on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve: early, they fill up.
Frequently asked questions about New York at Christmas
Where should I stay in New York at Christmas?
Stay in Midtown near Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, for example at Baccarat Hotel or The Peninsula. The Knickerbocker by Times Square works well for New Year.
When is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lit?
The tree is usually lit around the start of December and stays up into January. The date is announced each year.
Where can you ice skate in New York at Christmas?
The best-known rinks are at Rockefeller Center, in Bryant Park and in Central Park. Book ahead if you can.
Is it worth watching the ball drop in Times Square?
It is a huge experience, but you will stand in the cold for many hours. Many people choose a party nearby or the fireworks in Central Park instead.
Is New York expensive at Christmas?
December is high season and hotel prices are high, especially towards Christmas and New Year. Early December is often better value.