Christmas in New York City 2019 - Holiday Things to Do & Fun Seasonal Activities

By Katie Sagal

There are few places as magical in the wintertime as Christmas in New York City. And when it comes to celebrating the Christmas holidays, you better believe that NYC has got plenty going on. If you’re traveling to New York this holiday season, check out our list of the top things to do for Christmas in New York City 2019.

Save on attraction admission for the Holidays

Regular admission to a number of these attractions is available on the Go New York Pass®. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available New York passes, attractions & prices. Please note, some of these special Christmas & holiday events may be separately ticketed and not included in the Go New York Pass.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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We're sure the first thing that comes to mind when you think New York City Christmas celebration is the iconic Rockefeller Plaza Christmas Tree. For over eight decades, the Tree Lighting Ceremony has been a classic New York tradition. If you're going to be in the city during the holiday season, you have to visit the gorgeous display. Pose in front of the gigantic tree, watch from above as holiday visitors skate the rink, shop around the Rockefeller Plaza shops, and more. The tree will be lit for the first time for the Christmas 2019 season on Wednesday, December 4, and will remain lit through early 2020. On Christmas Day, the tree will remain lit for the full 24 hours, so be sure to check it out! Since you'll already be at 30 Rock, you may as well take a trip up to the Top of the Rock Observatory. You can see the tree from the highest vantage point while taking in the views of the entire city below. This is a great opportunity to see New York's Christmas lights from a unique perspective. Getting in: Top of the Rock tickets are included in Go New York Pass.

Bryant Park Winter Village presented by Bank of America

Bryant Park's Winter Village has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in recent years. The popular greenspace has transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the past 17 years, and this year is no exception. Complete with 170 stalls, a 17,000-sq ft ice rink, and a delicious food hall made up of 12 vendors serving delicious holiday meals, it’s no surprise as to why it’s the best and biggest holiday market in the city. Shop local at the boutiques, offering everything from fashionable sunglasses to hand-made sculptures of your favorite movie characters. It's the perfect place to find a niche gift for that tricky loved one in your life. While you shop, make sure to try a few of the holiday treats too. Delicious craft cocoa and sugar cookies are not to be skipped. Of course, the crown jewel of the Winter Village is the ice rink which serves as a centerpiece. The ice rink is always packed with visitors twirling about and is a fun experience no matter your skating skill level. You can rent skates and a locker on-site and get right onto the ice. There are skating lessons and skate assistants available for kids as well. Anyone visiting New York during the holidays has to visit Bryan Park's Winter Village. It's such a special space and worth spending a few hours! *Please note, the Rink and the Lodge will be open from October 31, 2019, through March 2020. The Holiday Shops will only be open until January 5, 2019. Getting in: Bryant Park Winter Village is free and open to the public. Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Ice Rink tickets are included with Go New York Pass.

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

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Participate in another one of NYC’s most beloved holiday traditions with the visit to the New York Botanical Garden. Their Holiday Train Show is a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll see trains wind through replicas of over 150 different New York landmarks – all made of organic, botanical materials. Think tiny depots made of bark and acorns, bridges made of sticks and stones, and décor made of dried mosses and flowers. It’s a truly inspiring work of artistic labor and a super fun thing for the whole family to see. Kids and adults alike will be amazed at the artistic and technical skill that has gone into making the magical Holiday Train Show. Getting in: New York Botanical Garden tickets included with Go New York Pass.

Union Square Holiday Markets

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Another great place to do some Christmas shopping is the Union Square Holiday Markets at Union Square Park. Local crafters and artists come together to set up booths of home-made items, from jewelry to scarves, to artwork. The Union Square Market has sections like Little Brooklyn and Urbanspace Provisions in addition to a Warming Station and Lounge. There will be over 50 stalls to shop around and plenty of delicious food and drink available. You're sure to find some perfect gifts for family and friends back home... or for yourself! Getting in: the Union Square Holiday Markets are free and open to the public.

THE RIDE Holiday Edition

Take NYC’s most enjoyable bus tour with a special holiday twist! Now in its seventh year, it’s more fun and festive than ever, with a focus on holiday sights and sounds. You'll tour New York on a unique bus with side-facing seats, as your entertaining guides tell you what you need to know. But that's not all – keep your eye out for street performers bringing NYC to life all along the route. It's an unforgettable attraction at any time of year – but extra special during the holidays. The RIDE is a great way to get to know NYC and soak up the Christmas spirit, all at the same time! Getting in: THE RIDE tickets are available on the Go New York Pass.

View the Holiday Lights from the Empire State Building

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A good way to see the city’s best and brightest Christmas lights is with a trip to the top of this towering skyscraper – one of the city’s most famous buildings, too. The Empire State Building is an amazing experience any time of year, but when you build in the festive atmosphere and twinkling lights of the holiday season, it simply can’t be beaten. Explore the exhibition halls, enjoy the full Empire State Building Experience, and snap photos of the Winter Wonderland that is New York City. Getting in: Empire State Building tickets are available on the Go New York Pass.

Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History

If you’re in search of a unique spin on a Christmas tradition, pay a visit to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Their 30-year tradition of putting up an origami tree has inspired kids and adults alike for quite a long time, and it’s well worth your time to visit. The origami itself is made by volunteers throughout the preceding year who were inspired by some aspect of the museum’s collections. The origami takes all forms - from dinosaurs to sea creatures to figments of the imagination. The tree will be on display from November 25, 2019 - January 12, 2020. Explore the museum while you're there! AMNH is one of the largest museums in the world, featuring a 94-foot model of a whale, a famed collection of dinosaur fossils, a 563-carat Star of Indian sapphire, and plenty more intricate artifacts. It has to be on your New York Bucket List. Getting In: American Museum of Natural History tickets are available on the Go New York Pass.

Holiday Window Displays on Fifth Avenue

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Embark on a self-guided tour down Fifth Avenue to take in all the intricately-designed holiday displays. Each year, the displays get more and more ornate, with flashing lights, golden decorations, and gorgeous artwork calling for attention. Its beautiful holiday ambiance almost offsets the craziness of holiday shopping at stores like Saks and Macy's. Almost. Fashion fans may want to take a Fashion Window Walking Tour of Fifth Avenue, to see the beautiful windows with an expert guide. Getting in: Fashion Window Walking Tour tickets are included with the Go New York pass.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche

 The Metropolitan Museum of Art will continue its longstanding holiday tradition of erecting the 25-foot blue spruce. It serves as the perfect backdrop for their Neapolitan Nativity scene, complete with silk-robed angels hovering above. The Met's take on a Christmas display always shows the creativity and artistic nature of New York City's art scene. After visiting the tree, make sure to explore as many of the exhibition halls as you can. The museum houses a variety of artworks in all mediums, covering art from each part of the globe. Getting In: Metropolitan Museum of Art tickets are available on the Go New York Pass.

Remember to save on attraction admission

So there’s our brief list of the top things to do in New York City during Christmastime and the holidays. Remember, many of these options are included on the Go New York Pass, which can save you up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. Please note, the Christmas events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go New York Pass. We hope you plan to add a few of these fun options to your winter vacation itinerary!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Win a private Manhattan photo shoot and dining experience this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. WIN a private photo shoot and dining experience for two Head downtown and get a dose of celebrity treatment, on a private photo shoot with acclaimed American fashion and celebrity photographer MACKY. Owner of the popular Masters of the Camera NYC Rooftop Photo Shoot, MACKY will take you to the absolute best vantage points in Lower Manhattan, capturing your NY adventure in high-definition with a selection of 52-megapixel images. After working up an appetite posing for the camera, you’ll head to One World Trade Center to begin your VIP dining experience. Admission to One World Observatory is included, so take in the panoramic views over 100 stories up before you find your window-front table at One Dine. Both you and your guest will receive a choice of two drinks, one appetizer, one entrée and side, one dessert, and one unforgettable view! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our New York passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
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Things to do in Greenwich Village

Bursting with living history and culture, Manhattan’s Greenwich Village is perhaps best known for birthing both 1960s counterculture and the LGBTQ movement. Today, the neighborhood’s innovative nature lives on through its world-class attractions, captivating architecture, and anecdotal landmarks. From highly acclaimed galleries and eye-catching structures to historic theaters and beloved comedy clubs, this vibrant area of the city should offer more than enough to keep you busy. So, if you’re looking to explore The Village, have a read through our list of the best things to check out in the area. With Go City, you can see more, for less. Explore the Area Anybody who’s interested in the history of The Village should make a stop at the Stonewall Inn. Standing as one of the most culturally significant attractions of the area, the inn is known as the site of the 1969 riots that set the gay liberation movement into motion. 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Sarah Harris
Statue of Liberty in front of the Manhattan skyline
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The Best Time to Visit The Statue of Liberty

Perhaps the definitive emblem of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty is a must-see attraction on any visit to New York City. Sure, it can be seen from dozens of vantage points around Manhattan: the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge, the One World Observatory... and the list goes on. But nothing beats getting right up close with a roundtrip on the ferry to Ellis Island, where you can visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and various parts of the Green Goddess herself. Yep, that even includes the 162-step climb up the internal spiral staircase and into the famous crown: one for those with a head for heights only! Read on for our guide to the best times to visit this American icon. Opening hours The park is comprised of Ellis Island, Liberty Island and their various attractions, and is open from 9AM until 5.45PM daily, including most holidays. The park is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Please check the Statue City Cruises website for the most up-to-date ferry schedule and seasonal variations on opening hours. Advance booking is required. Your Go City attraction pass includes the return ferry trip, plus entry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and ground level area of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Best time to visit the Statue of Liberty The first thing to know is that the Statue of Liberty is one of the most-visited attractions in NYC. The second is that, if you plan to visit both Ellis and Liberty islands in one day, you should aim to get as early a ferry as possible. Services start running from 8.30AM in summer, which should even leave early risers with enough time for a leisurely breakfast before boarding. Summer is Lady Liberty’s busiest season, with more frequent ferry services leading to denser crowds and, by extension, longer lines. Spring and fall see slight dips in tourism, meaning less time spent waiting around, while winter is the quietest season of all, with queues often non-existent. But it’s a hardy soul who braves the cold of Liberty island in New York’s famously freezing January. Inevitably weekends are busier than mid-week, but it really is all relative and there is truly no quiet time to visit the statue. Our recommendation is to catch the first ferry departures Tuesday–Thursday if you really want to beat the crowds and get inside the museums ahead of anybody else. Note that the popularity and limited capacity of the statue’s crown and pedestal areas (not included in the standard ferry ticket) mean advance booking is essential. Getting to the Statue of Liberty The only way to get to the Statue of Liberty is via ferry from departure points in Battery Park in Manhattan or the Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Aim to arrive approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time as there’s a required security screening of all passengers before boarding. Tickets You can check the latest schedule and book tickets on the Statue City Cruises website. All ferry tickets include access to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and Statue of Liberty Museum and grounds. If you want to visit the pedestal or climb the spiral staircase to the crown, you’ll need separate tickets. These must be booked in advance via the Statue City Cruises website. Save money with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass for New York attractions, which includes your ferry ticket plus entry to the museums. Passes also give you access to dozens more iconic attractions around the Big Apple, including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Guggenheim and the Empire State Building’s 86th-floor observation deck. Where to eat Fancy a picnic? You’re welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks to both islands, but all items must be sealed during the screening process and large coolers are not permitted. No food or drink can be taken inside the pedestal or crown of the Statue of Liberty; lockers are available for storing items. There are also snack bars on the ferries as well as cafes serving a variety of sandwiches, snacks, salads and ice creams on both islands. In brief... Visiting as early in the day as possible, ideally Tuesday to Thursday during spring or fall makes for the most comfortable weather conditions and the shortest lines. In truth, there is no time to visit the Statue of Liberty when it won’t be at least a little busy, but the tenet of booking the earliest ferry in the day holds true regardless of season or day of the week. It really is your best chance of dodging the lines and being first inside the museums before the tourist crowds descend. Finally, don’t forget to book your tickets in advance, especially if you plan to visit the pedestal or crown areas. Get the Go City attraction pass to make great savings when visiting this and other top New York City attractions! Useful links Book tickets online Get the Go City attraction pass for New York Visit the Statue of Liberty with Go City Further information for visiting the Statue of Liberty
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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