New York: the city of all possibilities and all excesses, especially during the holiday season! Spending Christmas in NYC means being dazzled by its gigantic decorations, sliding on its open-air skating rinks and window-shopping, as they are orchestrated as real live shows. A stay that will also be animated by numerous shows, fairy-tale Christmas markets and concerts in the streets adorned with their most beautiful finery. Take a step up and succumb to the magic of this city dressed in a coat of snow and adorned with a thousand and one sparkling pearls.
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Rockefeller Center illuminated
This is the focal point of all the Uggs who hurry to admire the gigantic tree at Rockefeller Center. It was first inaugurated in 1933 and every year the opening ceremony is attended by thousands of people. Rising between 20 and 27 meters high, the tree is dressed with 8 km of lamps that light up every day from 5:30 to 23:30. All around him, the decorations are given a lot of pleasure, it is a festival of lights that crackle before the dazzled eyes, until the beginning of January.
The Christmas markets
Strolling through the New York markets is like taking an open plane ticket to the world! Thousands of exhibitors from all over the world gather in various places, delighting the stalls with their handmade products. The most beautiful Christmas market is certainly the one in Bryant Park with its small illuminated glass chalets. The Columbus Circle market is the most imposing while the Union Square market would be the most gourmet. For those who are cold, the Grand Central Terminal market is ideal: warmly padded in the station, it comes alive every 30 minutes with a fabulous light show.
Ice rinks
It's the big attraction and all the New York folklore of the winter! As soon as it gets cold, you can put on your skates and hit the ice at the Rockefeller Center and Central Park rinks, the latter is said to be the most beautiful in the world! Less known but bigger and free, the Bryant Park rink offers the possibility to skate at night in a surprising vegetal decor. Most of the rinks offer introductory courses for children and novices, sometimes even figure skating workshops and field hockey courses.
The Christmas windows
Christmas windows are part of the festive show and each sign competes in creativity to attract your attention. New Yorkers love to stroll through the streets and let themselves be transported by this magical atmosphere. Fifth Avenue is home to the most beautiful department stores, including Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor and Tiffany. The windows of Macy's, the world's largest department store, are obviously dazzling and those of Bloomingdales, on the Upper East Side, are more surprising every year.
The decorations
It is with a lot of decorations, illuminations and animations that NYC is brightened up at Christmas! To immerse yourself in the enchantment of its decorations, go to Midtown, on 6th Avenue, where the famous red balls and many giant and colorful installations are displayed. Park Avenue is also worth the detour, it is lined with a huge string of fir trees that light up at nightfall. Fir trees are everywhere in the city and wherever you look, there will always be a big red bow, a glittering garland and golden stars to celebrate the nativity.
The Christmas Lights Tour in Dyker Heights
When it comes to decorations, Americans don't do things by halves, so when it comes to their homes, it's best to wear your sunglasses! Twinkling lights, Santa Clauses, and the odd figurine are what you'll see in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. This neighborhood has been voted the best decorated in the United States, which is why special guided tours (Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour) are organized today. During 3h30, you will travel by bus through the neighborhood, accompanied by a guide who will reveal amazing anecdotes..
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is an emblematic show of the end of the year and has been for nearly 75 years. It is an amazing show that brings together cabaret dancers - the famous Rockettes - a living nativity scene and Santa Claus. The theme of the festivities is revisited each year with key numbers such as the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers in which the Rockettes are transformed into little wooden soldiers. An unforgettable moment at Radio City Music Hall, one of the most beautiful theaters on Broadway.
Take the height
Take the height and see the city in its snow coat, illuminated on both sides by the Christmas decorations... instructions for use! During the day, we'll go to the Top of the Rock which offers a panoramic view of Central Park where the greenery is hiding under its white down. And at night, you'll prefer the One World Trade Center Observatory and the Empire State Building Observatory Deck: the city is at your feet, glittering with a thousand lights.
Want to get even higher? Discover our article The best helicopter tours in Manhattan!
The Winter Solstice Celebration
The Winter Solstice Celebration celebrates the winter solstice in the magnificent setting of Saint John The Divine Cathedral. The exceptional acoustics of the venue highlight the voices of the singers and the notes of the musicians while the 25 dancers have an extraordinary stage. Together, they revisit the ancient rituals around the solstice of December 21 through amazing performances. The show is only played on three dates and every year it is a sell-out, so book as soon as possible.
Holiday Train Show
Twenty-sixth edition for the Holiday Train Show which will take place at the New York Botanical Garden until January 15. This exhibition features small antique trains in more than 150 miniature settings of New York. The Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal... you will recognize the emblematic places of the city, with models made from natural materials. If the attraction delights the little ones, we saw more than one adult getting caught up in the game!
