New York City is a multicultural hub with dozens of museums, hundreds of parks and millions of people. The number of potential things to see and do can feel overwhelming, but NY1 has you covered with some of the highlights taking place this weekend across the five boroughs.

Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo

  • Nov. 22-Jan. 5
  • Bronx Zoo
  • Ticket information here

The Bronx Zoo's seasonal tradition continues this year for its 125th anniversary. Millions of holiday lights line the park as visitors are invited to check out the hundreds of wildlife lanterns representing dozens of plant and animal species.

Organizers say the event also includes a light tunnel, holiday train, illuminated performers and a roast-your-own-s'mores station. As part of its 125th year celebration, the zoo will also make their Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut next week, with a new float dedicated to the zoo's more than 11,000 animals.

holiday lights
(Photo courtesy of Bronx Zoo)

Frost Fest at Luna Park

  • Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1
  • Also on select weekdays and holidays
  • Luna Park, Brooklyn
  • Ticket information here

Coney Island's Luna Park is transformed for the holidays. The park's website says guests can enjoy up to 20 rides "in a new festive atmosphere."

A holiday market with hot cocoa, Santa's Wonderland and an ice skating rink is part of the experience as well.

Hearth and Harvest Festival

  • Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island
  • Ticket information here

A part of Native American culture for thousands of years, Historic Richmond Town invites attendees to experience the celebration of a traditional harvest festival. The festival signaled an end to the growing season and the beginning of winter, as crops were shared with the community.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore the culture of various northeastern nations through music, dance, food and recipes.

Grand Holiday Bazaar

  • Sundays from Nov. 24 to Dec. 22
  • 100 W 77th Street, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

A year-round staple of the Upper West Side, the Grand Bazaar sports a holiday theme from Thanksgiving week to Christmas.

Seasonal vendors bring end-of-year themed treats to the indoor-outdoor market, which usually features over 150 hand-picked local dealers selling everything from vintage decor to handmade jewelry and artisanal foods.

NYBG Holiday Train Show

  • Open through Jan. 20
  • New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx
  • Ticket information here

The New York Botanical Garden's annual Holiday Train Show returns for its 33rd year. Visitors have the opportunity to see nearly 200 replicas of New York City landmarks — all created from plant parts.

Toy trains wrap around the recreations, including the city's iconic skyscrapers, Yankee Stadium and the New York Public Library. The garden runs both day and night availabilities, with seasonal food and drink offerings as well.

New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show

  • Open through February 2025
  • New York Transit Museum Gallery, Grand Central Terminal
  • Free and open to the public

Another train show for the holiday season, the New York Transit Museum's offering is smaller than what's on display at the New York Botanical Garden, but no tickets are required.

Celebrating its 20th year, the exhibit features model trains running through a 34-foot-long display — departing from a miniature Grand Central and passing by other iconic New York City landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building. The Transit Museum's collection of model trains includes Metro-North, Polar Express and vintage subway train sets.

Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off

  • Up through Jan. 12
  • Museum of the City of New York, Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

The Museum of the City of New York hosts gingerbread creations from bakers across the boroughs for its third annual bake-off.

The theme this year was “Iconic New York,” inviting artists to create pieces that represented distinct sights in their communities. Visitors can see the 20 finalists on display, all made of entirely edible materials, then cast their vote for “People’s Choice.” 

Bryant Park Winter Village

  • Open through March 2, 2025
  • Bryant Park, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

Bryant Park's Winter Village is open for the season.

The annual holiday staple in the city features a variety of local shops, a rink for ice skating and an indoor lodge with food and drink options.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

  • Open through March 2025
  • Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

Ice skating is open for the season at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. The center's website calls it one of the city's "quintessential winter activities."