How to Spend Christmas in New York City
Wondering how to spend Christmas in New York City? It's easy to dream about while watching snow blanket city blocks in the weeks leading up to the big day—and seeking out festive lights, fun, and food is a worthwhile exercise for anyone and everyone spending the holidays (tourists and residents alike) in the Big Apple. Below, our hardened New York editors convene to share the holiday activities that grow their hearts ten sizes too big.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Bloomberg/GettyWindow shop along Fifth Avenue
I usually head home to Florida for Christmas, which is about as polar opposite of an environment as you can get from Christmas in New York. Before I leave, though, I always squeeze in a Fifth Avenue walk. I’ll usually start at the bottom of Central Park and head down Fifth Avenue toward Rockefeller Center to see the massive Christmas tree. In between, you pass by tons of over-the-top, sparkly displays outside Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and more. Then I’ll cut over to Sixth Ave to walk past Radio City Music Hall and the giant Christmas ornaments display. Yes, the streets are packed with tourists (going on a weekday morning helps alleviate this a bit), but the energy really is lovely, so practice your patience and lean into the slow pace of those around you—or just put a playlist of Christmas tunes in your ears and fully zone out. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
Artur Dancs/Getty ImagesExperience Gramercy Park glee
The holiday season is the best time of the year for a night-time stroll down historic Irving Place. While Washington Irving, the street’s namesake, is typically associated with Halloween thanks to “Sleepy Hollow,” the 19th century author is also credited with first introducing Christmas to the American public (move over Charles Dickens). Fittingly, the historic street full of shops, restaurants, and bars is the perfect place to bask in that old-time Christmas charm.
Start by Gramercy Park and admire the Christmas tree (for the keyless, from afar) and pop in the merrily-decorated Pete’s Tavern for a pint under tinsel. If, like me, your favorite part of wintertime celebrations are the abundance of cheese boards, Bedford Cheese Shop is a must-visit for all your holiday charcuterie needs. End the night with dinner or drinks at Friend of a Farmer, the coziest restaurant whose fireplaces and woodsy cottage-core vibes will transport you to the Vermont countryside. —Hannah Towey, associate news editor
Veni/GettyAmble around Central Park
For an ice queen such as myself, winter in New York is something to be adored, not feared. One of my favorite NYC activities is visiting Central Park on chilly December evenings, where I can (mostly) avoid the Fifth Avenue crowds while still feeling a part of the merriment. Ice skating at the Wollman rink and carriage riding are spectator sports for me, since I'd rather laugh at children falling down than actually don the skates myself. I can stroll around the park for a couple hours and be fully content, hands in my pockets and Christmas music on my headphones. —Caitlin Morton, contributor
Courtesy Moot BarThrow a cocktail party at your neighborhood dive
Reading and watching bits and pieces of Nora Ephron’s oeuvre (shoutout to the spectacularly underrated Heartburn in particular) has left me indignant at this current batch of young people (or, at least, the young people with whom I hang out) being loath to host social gatherings. What ever happened to the cocktail party, to putting on something at once festive and formal, and making conversation with your friends and their friends’ friends? Feeling the lack of such events on the social calendar (and the absence of any occasions at which everyone would look at all put together) but knowing we’d be unable to host anything in our own tiny apartment, my dear roommate and friend Lily looked into the logistics of renting a dive bar in our neighborhood. What she found, and what convinced the rest of us, was a low fee to have the place to ourselves for four hours (9 p.m. to 1 a.m.); a reasonable minimum rate, and the promise of an itemized bill. And so, in the coming weeks, we will get all of our people together in an excuse to pull out one of myriad cocktail dresses and suits they’ve impulsively purchased without an occasion to do them justice. These 'fits being worn to the neighborhood dive (Moot, in our case), with all of its Christmas kitsch, will make a delicious contrast. —Charlie Hobbs, editorial assistant
Courtesy of STARR RestaurantsHave Christmas dinner at Pastis
For Thanksgiving this year, a friend and I decided to have brunch at Pastis, a beloved New York starlet of a restaurant that burned bright in the aughts, closed in 2014 when the building was demolished, and came back better-than-ever in the same neighborhood in 2019. All that to say, the very good Parisian fare (e.g. cauliflower gratin, veal escalope, a killer onion soup) rank at a close second to the vibe: convivial and celeb-scented chic, Manhattany in the warmest way, especially under the interior’s tinsel and twinkle lights hung for the season. My friend and I had a fantastic time before we joined others at someone’s West Village apartment to cook the usual Thanksgiving dinner, but I almost wish we stayed at Pastis all day, slamming St. Germain spritzes and sharing what we were thankful for. The place was open from ten to ten and offered a holiday prix fixe, and they’ll do the same again for Christmas Day this year. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation, and please say hello if and when you spot me there, tucking into my mussels and frites.— Matt Ortile, associate editor
Jinnifer DouglassChristmas shop in Little Italy
The first time I stumbled into Little Italy’s iconic Christmas in New York shop it was the middle of July. Despite the city heat, and glaring lack of snow outside, I was quickly transported to a candy cane-filled winter wonderland. Ever since then, I’ve made sure to stop by around Christmas time—when Mulberry Street’s very own workshop becomes even more magical. You’ll find glass ornaments from around the world, life-size Santa decorations, and sparkling Christmas trees at every turn. I simply can’t resist picking up a new holiday knick knack every time I visit. And while you’re there, be sure to grab a fresh cannoli from Ferrara’s (Tony Soprano’s favorite bakery.) —Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Enrique Shore/AlamyBuy a ticket to the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
Seeing the Radio City Rockettes during the holiday season feels so nostalgic and so New York to me. The first time I went to see the Christmas Spectacular as a kid felt so special—the dancing, the lights, the energy in the room all felt straight out of a holiday movie. Now as an adult, it’s a holiday event that I still enjoy. The Rockettes perform with such synchronism and spirit that you can’t help but be in awe watching the performance. It’s especially exciting to go with someone who has never seen it before, or even has never been to the iconic venue. —M.K.
GettyStroll by the lights in Dyker Heights
For the past four years, I've taken the long subway ride out to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to be awestruck by the dedicated neighborhood of houses that go all out with holiday cheer. It's like Christmas exploded in everyone's yard, but in the best way. Giant inflatable lawn animals, motorized Santas, a mob of nutcrackers, and so many Christmas lights that you can barely tell what time of day it is. Insider tip: The specific blocks you’ll find the most light displays are 11th to 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th Streets. For a pick-me-up in the neighborhood, grab a hot chocolate and a pastry at Panino Rustico. —Lara Kramer, global associate director of audience development
Adrian GautSpa out
There’s nothing more decadent than buying Christmas gifts for yourself—and few gifts are a treat like entry to a spa or bathhouse, especially amid the chaos of the holidays. I’ve been wanting to try the trendy Bathhouse in Williamsburg for years, where wet and dry saunas, three thermal pools, and heated marble hammams with mood lighting await; the serene Roman-inspired Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca are also high on my list. But I also might keep it old-school: I recently had a fabulous wintry Friday at the old-school Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village over Thanksgiving weekend—and between the platza treatment in the nearly 200-degree Russian Room and the 40-degree cold plunge, I completely lost track of the world beyond. Someone in the aroma steam room told me about Wall Street Bath, another Russian banya experience, so maybe that’ll be my next stop. —Megan Spurrell, senior editor
Breads Bakery/FacebookFeast on Breads Bakery's Linzer tarts
Breads Bakery makes incredible baked goods all year round—their chocolate babka is my go-to housewarming or party gift. But their holiday offerings are especially spectacular, from festive challah (made with things like sesame, nigella, sunflower) and cranberry gouda rolls over Thanksgiving to Linzer tarts and potato latkes for Christmas and Hanukkah. I was especially impressed by the Harvest Babka this year—a savory version of their popular pastry. It has roasted sweet potatoes, red onion, and gruyere cheese: ideal for those lazy mornings when you want something easy, but with all the flavors of the holidays. —Stephanie Wu, former digital director
Julie Larsen Maher © WCSEnjoy the Bronx Zoo's Winter Wonderland
Stepping into the Bronx Zoo around Christmastime is like entering a winter wonderland. Everywhere you look, there's another brightly lit Christmas tree, group of carolers harmonizing classic tunes, or man inexplicably walking by on stilts. The main attraction, of course, is the lantern safaris, where you can see illuminated animals from every corner of the world (giraffes, polar bears, sea turtles). Other highlights: the s'mores set-up, hot chocolate, and hard-at-work ice carvers. —M.F.
Andrew F Kazmierski/GettyIce skate in Bryant Park
My favorite holiday activity is waking up at the crack of dawn on a weekday and hoofing it from my Brooklyn apartment to Bryant Park to be there when the winter ice rink opens at 8 a.m. Midtown is filled with in-office workers, and you'll find fully dressed corporate folks in their hockey and ice skates, headphones in, getting in a few morning turns before heading to work. In the shadow of the New York Public Library, it's an urban winter wonderland. On weekday mornings, the rink—which is free if you have your own skates, or $21-$36 for rentals—is quiet, without the crowds (or kids) that usually show up on the weekends. —Meredith Carey, former travel bookings editor
Neue GalerieArt and some schnitzel
Nothing gets me quite in the holiday mood like a visit to the Neue Galerie, which sits about a block south of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue—a perfectly intimate addition to a day of large-scale museum strolling. The property, a beautiful old Beaux-Arts building known as the William Starr Miller House, displays a magnificent collection of early 20th-century German and Austrian art, plus the occasional rotating exhibit—on the art of the Weimar Republic, for example, or the artist’s self-portrait. But the real draw is its spectacular array of works by Gustav Klimt, including the gilded Adele Block-Bauer I, perhaps one of the finest examples of his so-called “golden style.” I love taking an hour or two to amble around the galleries before heading down to Café Sabarsky, its jewel box Viennese cafe, where New Yorkers in the know catch up over late-afternoon plates of schnitzel and sachertorte. —Betsy Blumenthal, former editor, features and franchises
Brooklyn Flea/FacebookHoliday shop at Brooklyn Flea
It is still possible to shop local this season. And you should—whether you phone in an order, buy a gift card for later, or wander yonder. I got started early at Brooklyn Flea in Dumbo this year. I perused hand-made leather bags, vintage tweed jackets, gorgeous spindly air plants, and cherry red antique kitchen chairs under the Manhattan Bridge archway. Even now, the city’s holiday markets are treasure troves, and every single vendor will tempt you. —Alex Erdekian, former travel bookings editor
AlamyWalk through a deserted West Village
There's a mad rush of visitors leading up to the holidays, but if you're actually in town on Christmas or New Year's Day, there's a dreamlike quiet that falls on the city. That's when I love walking around one of the usually buzzy neighborhoods, like the West Village, and taking my time looking into windows of stores (even if they're closed), admiring brownstones, and walking in the middle of streets that are never going to be that empty again. Plus, because it's New York City, undoubtedly some little bar will be open, so when your hands and feet start to numb you can duck in and defrost. Days like that remind me of why I love this city so much. —M.S.
GettyWander the Union Square holiday market
I’m a sucker for a good holiday market, and I’ve been going to the one in Union Square for years now. There’s just something so festive about winding your way around the booths—it would take a real Grinch not to get into the spirit. And while it’s great for cute last-minute holiday purchases, what I really go for is the food. My husband loves the German Bratwurst stand, but for me nothing beats the Taste of Persia booth, and the ash reshteh in particular. Chef Saeed Pourkay has been dishing out this traditional Persian soup—packed with lentils, noodles, and onions and topped with fried garlic, mint, and whey—to hungry shoppers for a decade now. Fingers crossed he’s back this year! —Arati Menon, global digital director
