Exciting Things To Do This Holiday Season in New York

By: Ashley Martin

The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lit up for the holidays. Credit: google.com

When it comes to spreading holiday cheer you can bet on New York to do it big! With the vast amount of activities going on all over the city, you’re sure to be broke by January. 

Traditionally, you should always visit Rockefeller Center to gaze at the 100 ft beautifully lit Christmas tree, where you can ice skate under the lights or marvel at the city, on an elevator going up 70 stories high to the “Top of The Rock.”

Another Christmas favorite includes going to the Radio City Music Hall to see the breathtaking Rockettes perform during their Christmas Spectacular Show. This wonderful show tells the story of Christmas with riveting light displays and special performances. 

If you’re already in the city, you should stop by Saks Fifth Avenue to their Frozen themed holiday window displays. The display features characters like Elsa, Anna, and Olaf and depicts Elsa guiding the elements earth, fire, water, and air.

You can also head over to Macy’s on 34th street to visit SantaLand, where a rainbow bridge takes you to Santa’s workshop. If you have kids, this is the best place to take them to see Santa. If you don’t have kids, the rainbow bridge makes for a Instagram-able photo.

If you’re in the mood for some festive delights, you should head over to the Bryant Park Winter Village, which includes hot chocolate, churros, handmade gifts, ice skating, and other activities that change weekly. 

If you don’t mind the huge crowds, you may want to visit the various light shows going on throughout the city such as the Bronx Zoo Holiday Light Show which features Chinese lanterns, animated lanterns, and LED displays of animals from all over the world. 

There’s also another amazing light show at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island. You’d see over 1,000 stunning sculptures in the shape of pandas and dragons, as well as Asian performances like hoop tumbling.

You could also take a trip to Randall’s Island to view the LuminoCity holiday light festival, where you’ll be immersed in a unique art show experience. You can also make custom lanterns, figurines, and weave bracelets. 

If you’re in the mood for food and hot cocktails you should try the restaurant Mr. Purple located on 180 Orchard Street on the 15th floor, where you can taste fondue inside a comfy chalet.

If you happen to be in Brooklyn you should travel to Dyker Heights to view all the spectacularly decorated houses, starting from 11th to 13th Avenue and then from 83rd to 86th street. 

If you’re looking for more insta- worthy pictures, stop by the Lotte Christmas Tree in front of the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, as well as the Louis Vuitton Holiday art installation that’s located on the front of the store on 1 East 57th street. The Brookfield Place located at 230 Vesey Street also has beautifully lit trees along the sidewalk. 

If you’re looking for a ride back in time, you can take a trip on the Holiday Nostalgia Train, a vintage train with padded seats and ceiling fans, departing from 2nd Avenue on the F line in lower Manhattan. The vintage trains only runs on Sundays for the month of December. 

If you just realized that you don’t have the funds for fun then you can always turn on the television and watch Freeform’s 25 days Christmas special, filled with our favorite classics like “Home Alone,” “The Santa Claus,” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

AMC and the Hallmark channel are also playing Christmas specials all month long, so you’ll be in the Christmas spirit way before Christmas arrives.