With the holiday season arriving, there's no destination quite like New York City to embrace the festive atmosphere.
From exploring the enchanting holiday markets to witnessing the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, here’s your guide to reveling in the holiday spirit across the five boroughs.
Holiday Markets
New York City's holiday markets are popular seasonal attractions featuring a variety of vendors selling gifts, crafts and festive treats. They only open for a few weeks each year in popular hubs like Bryant Park and Grand Central Terminal.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Oct. 27, 2023 – March 3, 2024
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. 13, 2023 – Dec. 24, 2023
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.
Union Square Holiday Market
Nov. 16, 2023 – Dec. 24, 2023
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More information is available at usqholiday.nyc.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Nov. 28, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
More information is available at centralpark.com.
Holiday Market at the Oculus
Nov. 26, 2023 – Jan. 1, 2024
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More information is available at officialworldtradecenter.com.
Ice Skating Rinks
Gliding on the ice in New York City is an iconic seasonal ritual. While certain rinks operate throughout the year, others emerge briefly during the holidays. If skating isn't your forte, check out bumper cars on ice as an alternative thrill.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Located on Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets, the rink opened in early November, and tickets are currently on sale through March 24, 2024. The rink is open from 9 a.m. to midnight daily, and tickets are required.
More information available at rockefellercenter.com.
Bryant Park Rink
Located inside the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, the 17,000-square-foot rink features free admission ice skating. Skates are available to rent for a fee.
The rink is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through March 3, 2024, with new skate reservation dates being released throughout the season. Select weekend and holiday hours may change.
More information available at bryantpark.com.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside
The open-air rinks at LeFrak Center are located in Prospect Park with ice skating and ice hockey lessons for all ages. Tickets are required and hours vary for certain activities.
More information available at lakesidebrooklyn.com.
World Ice Arena
The World Ice Arena is an indoor rink located within the Aquatic Center at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Flushing and is open year-round. Tickets are required, and skating lessons are available on certain dates.
More information available at worldice.com.
Staten Island Skating Pavilion
This indoor ice arena is open year-round, though public skating is only available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are required.
More information available at thepavilion.org.
City Christmas Trees & Villages
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is located between West 49th and West 50th streets near Fifth Avenue. It remains lit through the holiday season and will be taken down on Jan. 13, 2024.
How to View:
Nov. 29, 2023 – Jan. 13, 2024
Hours:
Sunday – Saturday: 6 a.m. to midnight
Christmas Day: 24 hours
New Year’s Eve: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More information is available at rockefellercenter.com/holidays.
Astoria Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting
For the 11th year, the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition hosted its annual Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting celebration on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Astoria Park’s Great Lawn on 19th Street and 23rd Avenue.
The event featured arts and craft, and live musical performances before the tree was lit at dusk.
Historic Richmond Town
Every year, Historic Richmond Town undergoes a festive metamorphosis into a holiday wonderland, enveloping guests of all ages in the spirit of the season. Revel in living history displays, a nostalgic horse-drawn carriage, Santa photo ops, festive carolers, and holiday shopping at the Holiday Market and Village Store.
More information is available at historicrichmondtown.org.
Hanukkah In New York City
The World’s Largest Menorah Lightings
Both Grand Army Plaza in Midtown and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn compete for the title of the “Worlds 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. While both locations feature nightly lightings, Brooklyn's ceremony also features live music and latkes.
Grand Army Plaza: Manhattan
Dec. 7, 2023 – Dec. 15, 2023
Hours vary by night, check centralpark.com for more information.
Grand Army Plaza: Brooklyn
Dec. 7, 2023 – Dec. 15, 2023
Hours vary by night, check chabadparkslope.com for more information.
Hanukkah Celebration at Brookfield Place
Experience the magic of Hanukkah at Brookfield Place's celebration in Hudson Eats. Enjoy live music by Zisl Slepovitch's Klezmer Ensemble, renowned for their Litvak Jewish and Eastern European melodies, and partake in arts and crafts events, and a host of festive offerings and photo ops.
More information is available at bfplny.com.
Kwanzaa in New York City
Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration
The annual Kwanzaa celebration at the Apollo Theater is returning once again this December with the goal of bringing families together to celebrate and reflect.
The evening features dance, music, spoken word and more at the Apollo Theater on Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $25; more information is available at apollotheater.org.
Marine Park Alliance Presents: Festival of Lights - Kwanzaa
Participate in the Kwanzaa celebration with the Marine Park Alliance as they come together to honor African community values and welcome the New Year.
More information is available at nycgovparks.org.
Holiday Light Shows
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.
NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 7, 2024
Where:
Queens County Farm Museum
7350 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens
Hours:
Friday – Sunday: 5 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
More information is available at winterlanternfestival.com.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Nov. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
Where:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn
Hours:
Daily: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
More information is available at bbg.org.
New York Botanical Garden Glow
Nov. 17, 2022 – Jan. 13, 2023
Where:
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx
Hours:
Daily: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
More information is available at nybg.org.