The Perfect New York Christmas – What You Need to Know
Whether you're visiting New York for a few days or a full week of festive fun, you’ll need to approach your trip differently than you would a summer jaunt to the Big Apple. And I don’t just mean packing a few extra layers in your suitcase.
To help you anticipate the crowds and steer clear of the tourist traps, here are my must-know tips for visiting New York in December!
Tip #1: Patience, Patience, Patience!
The most important thing to remember about the holidays in New York is that you're going to need a lot of patience. Over 7 million people travel to the city between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Bryant Park Winter Village was already buzzing in early November, so if you're not a fan of large crowds, maybe skip December and visit earlier in the year. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later! But if you do want to tick New York at Christmas off your bucket list, expect the major hotspots to be busy, and you'll have a much better overall experience.
Tip #2: Book Early, Book Smart, Book in Advance
Because it's so popular to travel to New York City at this time of year, hotel prices are the highest you’ll find them between Thanksgiving and just after the New Year, and although there are lots of airlines to choose from for your flight you may also find they are not the best value for money unless you book early. So, if you’re planning on visiting New York for Christmas next year, get ahead of the game—book as soon as the New Year rolls around (or even better, when the post-Christmas sales drop). You might not save a fortune on flights, but you'll avoid the price hikes later, lock in the best rates, and have the flexibility to pay for your holiday in instalments. Now, that’s a win!
Tip #3: Plan Your Christmas Meals
Another thing you need to plan ahead of time are your Christmas meals if you’re going to be in the city on Christmas Day. Although many places will be closed, if you do want to eat at the famous spots like Tavern on the Green or Rolf’s German Restaurant, you need to make your reservations well in advance. Here’s a juicy insider tip: Chinatown is always open on Christmas Day. It’s actually become a Jewish New Yorker tradition to eat Chinese Food on Christmas Day (if you want to try something a little different). Who needs turkey when you’ve got dumplings, right?
Tip #4: Free Fun Galore
New York is loaded with amazing free things to do at Christmastime. Of course, you’ve got to see the famous Rockefeller Center tree, that’ll be lighting up on 4th December this year and it actually stays illuminated well into January. From that whole area, you can do just about every major free activity, such as seeing the holiday window displays. Stroll down 5th Avenue to check out the dazzling holiday window displays at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Just FYI, for the first time in over 20 years the famous Saks Fifth Avenue light show is on hold (boo), but their windows are still well worth a peek! Make sure to allow at least one day for just checking out the awesome window and interior displays. You can’t go wrong walking 5th Avenue heading towards Central Park.
Tip: #5 Ice Skating – A Holiday Must
You can’t visit NYC at Christmas without including an ice rink! Rockefeller Center is iconic—skating beneath the famous tree is magical, and it’s also the prime proposal spot of New York for the holidays. Do be warned though—it’s pricey! Skating here will set you back anywhere from $41 to $114 an hour (plus skate rental). If you're heart’s set on skating here, make sure you budget for the whole family. If you're looking for something a little more budget-friendly, head to Bryant Park’s rink—there’s no entry fee, but skate rental ranges from $15 to $55 depending on when you go. My other favourite? The Wollman Rink in Central Park, where you get stunning views of the Midtown skyline. It’s bigger than the Bryant Park and Rockefeller rinks plus, it’s the spot where Harry and Marv had their infamous spill in Home Alone 2. You’ve got the set-jetter factor here and the Midtown skyline – for me it’s just the perfect combination.
Tip #6 Christmas Markets – Shop ‘Til You Drop
One of the best things to do at this time of year in New York City is checking out the festive markets! Yes, you will be paying a premium to eat and shop at them, but they’re totally worth it for their European Christmas vibe. Bryant Park’s Winter Market takes the crown, with ice-skating, unique vendors and an unbelievable amount of food options (many of which have gone viral on social media) so expect the largest crowds. The Truffleist Cheesesteaks and The Laksa Shop for Malaysian food are definite favourites to try. Other markets worth a visit as you’ll likely be nearby them at some point are Union Square and Columbus Circle—smaller but still super fun and helps to support some local businesses.
Tip #7: The Rockettes, Broadway Shows & Ballet
When in New York at Christmas, you must see the Rockettes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a must, and tickets start at $70 (but they go up closer to Christmas, so book ahead!). Broadway shows are also on the agenda—check the official sites for the best deals and to avoid unreasonable reseller price hikes. Trust me, it's worth it for some serious holiday magic. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is also a beloved, must-see holiday tradition, brought to life by the New York City Ballet. The enchanting performance combines Tchaikovsky’s iconic score with breathtaking choreography, plus jaw-dropping sets and costumes that whisk you away to a magical winter wonderland. In my opinion it’s another show that truly captures the magic of the season.
Want to discover some of NYC’s best-kept Christmas secrets? From my top packing tips for the chilly weather to the hottest spots for the best festive cocktails, I’ve got you covered! Check out my other blog posts for all the insider info, or feel free to get in touch—I’d love to help make your NYC holiday unforgettable!
