You have to love New York during the holiday season. The city is not so much a place as a feeling, a frosty, festive hum that permeates everything. The lights on 5th Avenue, the crowds at the Rockefeller rink, the blue, red and green everywhere you look – it seems as though the city itself is putting on a show. The magic is real and though it can feel slightly overwrought at times, there’s a warmth in the air that you can’t help but get caught up in. So when friends and family visit this season, these classic places tap into the cheerful spirit of the season. New Yorkers take all of these things for granted as cliche, but each is worth revisiting with fresh eyes.
If you want the full New York traditional holiday experience, Radio City Music Hall Rockettes tickets should be at the top of your list. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is one of the city’s longest-running traditions and for good reason. The high-kicking Rockettes bring a sense of precision to the stage, their flawless routines lighting up the stage in a way that only a show in this iconic venue can. Watching the Rockettes is not just about the show; it’s the collective excitement in the room. There’s something almost primal about it, like everyone in the audience has been waiting all year for that moment when the curtain goes up and the holidays start.
Rockefeller Center’s Shining Tree
You can’t talk about the holidays in New York without mentioning Rockefeller Center. The Christmas tree, a big and beautiful sight, looms over the plaza every year, covered in thousands of lights and topped with a giant Swarovski star. Below, the ice rink is packed with skaters young and old, all taking a turn gliding—or trying to glide—under the iconic tree. It’s always crowded of course, but that’s part of the fun. Watching from afar, you get the sense the skaters are part of some grand holiday tableau, like living ornaments spinning in the cold.
If you don’t want to skate, you can always stand back and take it all in: the crowds, the lights, the music. It will feel as though you’re in a movie, and you can be part of the holiday fun even if you don’t want to join in the skating madness yourself. It’s all part of the show, and you’re as much a spectator as a participant.
Photo Credit: Chanan Greenblatt
Holiday Window Displays
Holiday window displays are the real MVPs of the season. Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman create windows that are not just displays – they’re tiny little worlds. As you stand in front of them you can easily forget the chaos behind you. They’re often over the top, more so than anywhere else, but in New York big, imaginative, and bold is part of the landscape.
Macy’s windows, for example, tell stories. Whimsical re-imaginings of classic fairy tales, fantastical landscapes filled with snowflakes and gingerbread made of glittering materials. They’re beautiful and they present the opportunity to stop and notice, and to slow down within the throes of the holiday rush, even if just for a moment.
The Great Outdoors: Central Park and Carriage Rides
The city isn’t merely a backdrop of lights and displays; it’s also the perfect setting for an outdoor holiday experience. Central Park, with its snow covered trees and winding paths, is especially lovely this time of year. If you can brave the cold, walking through the park is a must, as there’s something about it that feels timeless. Couples hold hands, families huddle together, and children build snowmen in the same way their grandparents did (when we ever have snow!).
If walking doesn’t appeal, there’s always the option of an electric carriage ride. The soft glow of the street lamps in the park are lovely as the carriage winds its way through the world’s most famous park. It’s romantic, a little cheesy, and the kind of thing you only see in movies. Render a date or family visit special and memorable by doing the thing that tourists do.
Ice Skating at Wollman Rink
While Rockefeller Center gets all the glory, Wollman Rink in Central Park is amazing in its own right. Smaller and more intimate because it’s less crowded, the rink is surrounded by towering trees. The distant skyline is enchanting. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, it’s fun to glide around the rink, surrounded by the park’s winter wonderland.
Watching the skaters can be fun – after all, everything in New york City is a show.
Shopping: Artisans and Markets
What are the holidays without shopping or baking or even just making crafts for everyone you love? The city’s holiday markets are more than just places to buy stuff; they’re an experience in themselves and filled with remarkable artisans. Union Square’s Holiday Market is a great place to find unique gifts, from handmade jewelery to seasonal treats. Bryant Park’s Winter Village has an open air market, a rink and a carousel too, so it’s like a fairytale. And Grand Grand Central Station has a Holiday Market as well.
The smell of roasting chestnuts, the hum of conversation, the street music playing… there’s something so cheerful about these markets. It’s not only about finding the perfect gift (though that’s part of the fun), but about being part of the holiday magic that New York does so well. Even if you don’t buy a thing, there’s an energy to the markets that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
