PL Picks: NYC Holiday Guide
Here’s a guide to the best of what New York city has to offer throughout the holiday season and beyond!
#1: Visit Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Christmas Spectacular is known as New York's most famous holiday production, but there is also a vast calendar of festive productions unfolding in each year, including special concerts and theatrical performances. From the New York City Rockettes to the this years special guets, you're sure to find some merrymint at the Music Hall!
#2. Find a Christmas Tree lighting
The Rockefeller Center tree-lighting ceremony is the most well-known in the city, however, it's not the only one! There are a number of other tree-lighting ceremonies around the city for you to enjoy. Bryant Park and the 'Winter Village' return this year, as well as Lincoln Square and the South Street Seaport. The trees will be on nightly throughout the season once they've been lit, so you can stop by whenever you like to take in their beautiful glow.
#3 Go Ice Skating
New Yorkers are thrilled to have ice skating returning this Holiday Season! Not only is skating on these rinks fun all winter long, but several of them offer a terrific holiday atmosphere. Have a whirl under the towering tree at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, or follow up your skating with some holiday shopping at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (free, though you'll have to rent skates). Other Rinks to reopen are The Sky Rink and Chelsea Piers, the City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City, and of course, Central Parks famous Wollman Rink — Closest Park Entrance: Enter at 59th Street and 5th or 6th Avenue
Wollman Rink hosts events all year, from yoga classes and pickleball to ice & figure skating.
Location: MAP | Hours: See below Contact: (833) 615-3500
2023 - 2024 Ice Skating Season
Open daily from Oct 28, 2023 to March 15, 2024.
Monday & Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
#4 Grab Some Hot Cocoa
New York City offers a lot in the way of Holiday Dining. Finding delicious hot chocolate is easy. Whether you're looking for a sugar rush to help fuel your holiday shopping spree, or are wanting to warm up after a whirl on the ice skating rink, hot cocoa abounds. If you're looking for a truly artisan NYC Cup, I suggest L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates! With seasonal releases for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, you're sure to find something to enjoy!
#5 Take your time at Grand Central Terminal
Voted one of the 15 Best Instagram Spots in NYC, Grand Central is a magical place around the Holiday Season. Each year visitors will find new and exciting things to see! If you’re planning on visiting this year,The Grand Central Holiday Fair returns to Vanderbilt Hall in November! You’ll find updates and info here.
#6 Go Shopping
Make your way to Fifth Avenue if you're looking for iconic holiday displays. From Cartier to Saks Fifth Avenue, the lights and Windows are a yearly sight to behold. Looking for local vendors? Be sure to check out the outdoor locales like Bryant Park, Union Square, and Columbus Circle, where some of the city's best markets unfold and purchasing wares can be paired with hot cocoa and seasonal nosh. If you prefer to stay toasty, Grand Central Terminal is the best with the indoor market (#5) in its atmospheric Vanderbilt Hall.
#7 Get cozy by a Fire
Winter nights during the holidays are made cozier by a crackling fireplace and your favorite beverage. Seats are available in bars such as Employees Only in the West Village, Brandy Library in Tribeca, and the Churchill Tavern in NoMad. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy festive holiday decor at most of these bars.
#8 Visit Central Park
Central Park is like no other park, especially in the later part of the year. It is a lovely place to visit whether you come during the fall foliage or during the snow-capped season. Taking up over 800 acres, you can easily miss some of the attractions. Here are some of the most iconic spots for you to visit in the Park.
Bow Bridge, Bethesda Terrace (and the adjacent fountain), Gapstow Bridge
Belvedere Castle , Wollman Rink (skating) , The Carousel, Mall and Literary Walk (this is the ideal spot for fall foliage), Strawberry Fields, Conservatory Garden , Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir , Shakespeare’s Garden , Ladies Pavilion , and last but not least ... Trefoil Arch.
#9 Visit the New York Botanical Garden Glow
The New York Botanical Garden will host the annual NYBG Glow experience on the grounds this year. The outdoor light show will feature thousands of energy-efficient LED lights and fun installations.
Guests can enjoy this 1.5-mile colorful extension with more colourful illuminations than last year, including plant stories, and whimsical, picture-perfect installations that reflect the gardens surrounding them.
#10 Visit the Winter Village at Bryant Park
Winter Village at Bryant Park is Manhattan’s winter wonderland. Enjoy New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink, the Holiday Shops, and rinkside eats and drinks at The Lodge.
Winter Village opens for the 2022 season Friday, October 28, at noon. Click on the "Reserve Tickets" button above to purchase skate rental tickets. More ticket types, including own skater sessions, will be released in October.
#11 Go find Santa Claus
The season wouldn't be complete without a visit with Old St. Nick. Happily, he manages to get around town quite a bit each year, with go-to stations for pictures with Santa at stores like Macy's. In 2022 Celebrate the holiday season with a visit from Santa Claus. Bring the kids to take photos with Santa at our tree lightings and holiday celebrations.
Thanks for stopping by!
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The Rockefeller Center Ice Rink in NYC opens on October 12, offering an iconic experience. Enjoy skating with the Midtown skyline backdrop, whether you’re in the autumn spirit or ready for the holidays.