A Magical Christmas in New York: 10 Activities for the Ultimate Holiday Experience
New York City during the holiday season is truly magical. I had seen it in movies and heard people talk about it, but nothing can compare to being there and experiencing it for yourself.
In 2022, I wanted to take one last trip, and every year since my mom passed away, I had been saying that I wanted Christmas to feel like Christmas again. You know when it’s cold outside but you feel warm on the inside?
There were also several Broadway shows with Black leads that I really wanted to see. A very small amount of research, three broadway tickets, one plane ticket, and a booked stay in a cozy Brooklyn neighborhood and I was on my way.
For tips on planning, visit here.
By no means did I do all there is to do in New York at Christmas time, but I built an itinerary before I went so that I’ll know what to do the next time I go.
And there will be a next time.
Some of what’s in the itinerary are things to do and some are things to see. Because it is so very cold in New York at Christmastime, I also built the itinerary in a way that would allow time to dip into buildings here and there between sightseeing to warm up a bit. I was in New York for just three days, and those were three of the most enchanting days of my life. Here are ten great holiday experiences in the Big Apple.
1. Holiday Windows Walking Tour
New York is known for it’s department stores, and for years, these stores have continued the tradition of going all out with themed window decorations. Each competes to create the most captivating and festive window decorations. As I strolled (or was shoved along by the crowd), I noticed how awed adults were, but even more how intrigued children were; with that said, this and several other activities and sights I mention are definitely appropriate for any age.
Once you get to Fifth Avenue, you can simply walk and you’ll get to several of the iconic windows, but this is the order I went in: Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York, and Bloomingdale's.
2. The Holiday Shops at Winter Village at Bryant Park
One of the things I was most excited about doing was making my rounds to the holiday shops. It’s something I’ve started to see in my hometown, but certainly not on a scale as large as New York. The Bryant Park Winter Village has about over 170 shops with treats, handmade trinkets, clothes, bags, jewelry and all of the things you can and can’t think of. If you’re up to it, you also can test your agility in the cold and go ice skating at the rink right in the park.
3. Grand Central Terminal Indoor Holiday Market
We all know Grand Central Terminal as one of the largest transportation hubs in the world, but during Christmastime, it comes alive as an indoor holiday market. Because I had jam packed my itinerary with Broadway shows, this was one of the places I was unable to get to. Whenever I have the opportunity to experience the Big Apple Christmas magic again, I would love for this to be my first stop. I imagine it to be much the same as the other markets around the city- a wonderful opportunity to find unique gifts for loved ones and even a few items for yourself.
4. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is an iconic New York City tradition. The actual lighting of the tree occurs just after Thanksgiving and the tree remains up until sometime in January.
Though i’m sure a sight to behold, if the lighting day is anything like trying to see the tree on any other day, be prepared to be jostled by a most excited crowd. It’s also important to know that the likelihood of getting close to the tree is slim during certain times of day and on certain days. I want to be clear- there will always be a crowd, but to be in a smaller crowd, try visiting really early in the morning or on a weekday.
Having a chance to see the tree, but also looking around at the joyous families and friends and smiling faces with cameras raised, gave me that Christmas feeling I was hoping for.
Seeing thousands of colorful lights blinking and sparkling together gives all the feels and is truly a marvelous experience during the holidays.
5. Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square Holiday Market is quite similar to the other markets I’ve mentioned. You'll find a mix of handmade crafts, art, food, and more. If you’re staying near Times Square or happen to be spending time there, take the one mile walk to this market in Union Square to browse rows and rows of stalls and handpick thoughtful and charming gifts for your loved ones.
6. Columbus Circle Holiday Market at Central Park
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is located at the southwest entrance of Central Park, so naturally it’s known for it’s spectacular views of the park. You can shop here, enjoy hot cocoa from a nearby vendor, and just like the shops at Bryant Park, you can also ice skate here at your choice of two rinks.
7. Museums
Guggenheim or MOMA Museums are not necessarily a Christmas activity, but they are a very New York activity, as the city has no shortage of them. While there are many museums, the Guggenheim and the MOMA are between several of the other activities I’ve mentioned so it’s not such a bad idea to dip into a museum if you need to warm up or perhaps use the restroom between all of the walking. If you love art, take a moment to explore their impressive art collections for an admission fee of about $25 per museum.
8. Radio City Music Hall (Rockettes)
Radio City Music Hall annually hosts the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. The show has been selling out and dazzling audiences for years with shifty dance routines, elaborate costumes, and beloved Christmas scenes. As cool as the show inside, the outside of the music hall has a stunning Christmas display that lights up the night with explosive color changes. When you head to Fifth Avenue, you’ll likely see it, and you don’t want to miss an opportunity for a stunning photo.
9. Broadway Shows
New York City is renowned for its world-class Broadway productions and since my first experience as a child seeing Beauty and the Beast, I’ve loved theater. With actors and voices that command the stage and incomparable music numbers, there’s no way you won’t leave feeling inspired and awed by the immense talent on Broadway.
As I mentioned, I had been collecting the names of shows that had Black leads and truly had so many I wanted to see, but I narrowed it down to three: The Piano Lesson, Topdog Underdog, and Death of a Salesman. All of them are now Tony-winning productions and for good reason, because each was excellent in it’s own right.
While these productions are no longer running, take a look here to see what might interest you; there is something for every theater enthusiast, young and old or whether it’s your first or thirtieth time on Broadway.
10. Photo Walk
Naturally, you’ll be taking photos at all of the other stops i’ve mentioned, but if you can carve out time just to walk and photograph the many decorations, it’s worth it to preserve the memory of your Christmas experience in New York. As you may have noticed, none of my pictures were taken in the day time, because the lights felt more magnetizing at night, not to mention many of my activities were scheduled for the night time.
As you know, New York is the city that never sleeps, so any time you go out into the city is a good time to grab photos of everything that warms your heart and puts a twinkle in your eye.
Christmas in New York City is a dream come true for anyone who loves the holidays and all of the festivities, bells, whistles and lights that come with that special time of year. With its window displays, markets, iconic landmarks, and unmatched entertainment, the city is an adventure that calls to you to come from far and wide. You won’t regret booking the ticket, bundling up, and letting the city swallow you up in wonder.
