The holiday season is arguably the most exciting time to visit New York City and definitely a time with popular family appeal. Beginning in late November, the Big Apple is transformed into a festive holiday destination, from the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center and the beautifully decorated storefronts along Fifth Avenue to the Chrlstmas light displays in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
Here's a lineup of don't-miss events and activities in NYC happening during the holiday season in 2015.
It's highly recommended to book your hotel and attraction tickets months in advance. For more information about visiting NYC during the holidays, visit nycgo.com.
Christmas in NYC 2015
Radio City Christmas Spectacular: (Nov. 13, 2015–Jan. 3, 2016) This New York City musical tradition takes place in the iconic Radio City Music Hall and features the high-kicking Rockettes. Advance booking is highly recommended.
New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show: (Nov. 21, 2015–Jan. 18, 2016) This ideal family outing features model trains that zip through replicas of New York City landmarks made of natural materials.
THE RIDE’s Holiday Edition: (Nov. 12, 2015–Jan. 3, 2016) Families can witness New York City’s holiday festivities and cheer through floor-to-ceiling windows from the comfort of a multi-million dollar motor coach. The experience is hosted by two on-board New York City experts and features live street performers.
Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History: (Nov. 23, 2014–Jan.
3, 2015) The museum's famous Origami Holiday Tree is a staple of the holiday season.
88th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: (Nov. 25-26, 2015) This televised tradition kicks off at 9am on Thanksgiving Day but families can also attend a fun event on the afternoon before, to watch the famously oversized helium balloons getting inflated on the Upper West Side. Then on Thanksgiving Day, grab a good viewing spot to see the procession of fantasy-filled floats, marching bands, performance groups and clowns.
The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet: (Nov. 27, 2015–Jan. 3, 2016) One of the season’s favorite annual productions, George Balanchine’s The Nutcrackeris a holiday feast complete with marching toy soldiers, a one-ton Christmas tree that grows before the audience’s eyes and crystalline snowflakes.
Iconic toy stores: Every holiday season, the biggest and best toy stores in the Big Apple become magnets for wide-eyed kids of all ages. Here are a few you won't want to miss:
Holiday markets: Each year, holiday markets pop up across the city, selling homemade goods, holiday treats, and many crafts and artisan goods that make great gifts. Annual favorites include:
- Union Square Holiday Market
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market
- Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
- Grand Central Holiday Fair
A Slice of Brooklyn’s Christmas Lights & Cannoli Tour: (Dec. 1–31, 2015) Now in its eighth year, this holiday bus tour offers families the opportunity to see the famed Dyker Heights Christmas lights, most recently seen on TLC’s Crazy Christmas Lights. Every year the neighborhood is ablaze with illuminating exhibitions complete with 30-foot toy soldiers and nativity scenes. The bus also offers festive holiday music and old-time Christmas television variety specials, topped off with a taste of Brooklyn’s best cannoli and hot chocolate.
Gingerbread Extravaganza at Le Parker Meridien (throughout December) The luxury hotel will host its annual chartiy gingerbread event this holiday season, where local bakeries and restaurants create gingerbread masterpieces and visitors can vote for their favorite by purchasing tickets at the hotel’s concierge. Proceeds benefit City Harvest.
Holiday Tours at the Louis Armstrong House Museum: (throughout December) The 40-minute guided tours of the house, a National Historic and New York City landmark, offer a look into the life of a jazz legend and feature Louis Armstrong’s voice recording of “Twas the Night Before Christmas and other seasonal favorites.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: (Dec. 2, 2015-Jan. 6, 2016) The iconic tree on Rockefeller Plaza will be lit for the first time on December 2, with live performances from 7–9 pm. Tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks and hundreds of millions will watch it live on TV. The tree will remain lit through the first week of January.
Elf! The Musical: (Dec. 9-27, 2015) The humorous holiday tale comes to life in this blockbuster musical production at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Candlelight Tours at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden: (Dec. 4–5, 2015; tours at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm) A hidden gem in Upper East Side, the museum will conduct candlelight tours that offer insight into 19th-century New York City.
29th annual Miracle on Madison Avenue: (Dec. 6, 2015) During this annual philanthropic shopping event, retailers and businesses located on Madison Avenue between 57th and 86th streets will donate 20 percent of sales that day to The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Candlelight Tours of Historic Richmond Town: (Dec. 12, 2015) This historic community on Staten Island will hold its annual holiday favorite candlelight tour. Candles, oil lamps and flickering fireplaces light up the town, and families can attend a “wassail bowl” reception in the Courthouse. Prepaid reservations are required.
Family Holiday Concert: A Charlie Brown Christmas: (Dec. 20, 2015) Carnegie Hall will come alive to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic television special created by Charles M. Schulz with music performed by the Boston Pops.
Holiday Open House at the Queens County Farm Museum: (Dec. 26–28, 2015) After families tour the decorated Adriance farmhouse in Floral Park, Queens, children can join in a crafts activity while everyone enjoys a cup of fresh mulled cider.
New Year's Eve in Times Square: (Dec. 31, 2015) Families brave enough to face the crowds can attend one of the world’s most spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square. The annual ball drop attracts an estimated million people each year, with over a billion additional viewers watching from around the globe.