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

Image of Urban, Lighting, City, Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Festival, Christmas Tree, Person, 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

Image of City, 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

Image of Vegetation, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Child, Female, Girl, Railway, Train, Vehicle, Tree, 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

Image of Backpack, Bag, Handbag, City, Hat, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Urban, 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

Image of Performer, Person, Solo Performance, Adult, Male, Man, Hat, Bus, Vehicle, 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

Image of Tower, City, Empire State Building, Landmark, 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

Image of Christmas, Christmas Decorations, Festival, Christmas Tree, Speaker, 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

Image of Urban, Lighting, Handbag, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Male, Man, Shoe, Hat, 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!

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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 NYC For Chinese New Year

Spending time in NYC for Chinese New Year? This year it falls on January 25 and it’s the Year of the Rat. There are plenty of special events taking place in the Big Apple where you can celebrate. After ringing in the traditional New Year holiday on January 1, it’s round two with Chinese New Year. From firecracker celebrations and wild dance performances to martial arts demonstrations, there’s a whole host of ways to have fun during the many events in the city. The streets of New York turn outlandishly festive during the celebration of the Chinese New Year. What is the Year of the Rat? The rat is known to be the first of the cycle of 12 Zodiac signs. In Chinese culture, rats were viewed to be a sign of wealth and surplus, and those born in the year of the rat are deemed to be quick thinkers and successful... Here’s our list of 9 fun things to do in NYC for Chinese New Year including: Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival Chinatown Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony The New York Philharmonic Lunar Concert The Temple Bazaar The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) And more... 1. Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival 18th Annual New York City Lunar New Year Parade (Image credit: betterchinatown.com) This celebrated parade is vibrant and colorful with its dragon dancers, lion dancers, marching bands, and floats. This year, 2020, it’s the “Year of the Rat.” The parade route stretches from Mott to Chatham Square to East Broadway and towards Grand Street right next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park. This street party welcomes in the Year of the Rat with all sorts of themed food and drink vendors. The parade also features some amazing firework displays and entertainment. Admission to the Lunar New Year Parade is free and open to the public. 2. The Chinatown Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony The Better Chinatown Society organizes the Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony where hundreds of thousands of sparkling fireworks are launched into the sky. The pounding pyrotechnics are designed to ward off bad spirits for the new year. Afterward, there are a number of colorful dance performances. It’s a can’t-miss event. You can even book a Chinese dinner cruise on the Hudson River to see the fireworks. Circle Line Cruises offers a gourmet 12-course dinner. Admission to the Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony is free and open to the public. Tickets to the Lunar New Year Fireworks Cruise are separately ticketed. 3. The New York Philharmonic Lunar Concert The New York Philharmonic puts on an annual Lunar Concert to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This year sees the return of conductor Long Yu, the US premiere of the sensational Zhou Tian’s Gift, and the New York premiere of Texu Kim’s ping pong–inspired Spin-Flip. Tickets to The New York Philharmonic Lunar Concert are available for purchase online. 4. The Temple Bazaar The Temple Bazaar is truly a sight to behold. Here, Chinese New Year is celebrated with bright red lanterns floating through the streets. Enjoy Chinese music and awe-inspiring martial arts demonstrations; learn Chinese crafts like calligraphy and paper cutting. You can even munch on authentic, mouth-watering food from Taiwan and Shandong. Admission to The Temple Bazaar is free and open to the public, some events and activities may be separately ticketed. 5. Savor the Dim Sum You can’t experience Chinese New Year without indulging in some timeless and authentic delicacies. New York’s Chinatown is home to one of the largest communities of Chinese people outside of Asia, and settlers brought with them their much-beloved cuisine. To get a taste of the very best of it, you can embark on a walking tour of Chinatown (and surrounding neighborhoods) and learn through taste how this fascinating area grew and grew. Following your tour, you’ll be an expert on the area and well-deserving of a delectable dim sum lunch! We recommend visiting the Nom Wah Tea Parlor for some mooncakes. It’s the oldest dim sum parlor in NYC and dates back to 1920. The SoHo – Little Italy – Chinatown Neighborhood Walking Tour is included on the New York Explorer Pass. 6. Madison Street to Madison Avenue Parade This action-packed festival is all day long. There’s shopping, dance performances, and family entertainment. There’s also traditional Chinese face-changing, colorful lion dancers, and calligraphy demos. It’s just one more way to celebrate the Chinese New Year. This year, the colorful celebration will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Admission to Madison Avenue Parade is free and open to the public. 7. The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) One of the best ways to fully appreciate your trip to NYC for Chinese New Year is to take a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America. Here you can learn all about Chinese culture and the traditions you’ll be celebrating with the Lunar New Year, and discover what life in NYC and beyond is like for its large Chinese population. The MOCA is a former machine shop inspired by a Chinese house with rooms extending from a central courtyard. It has exhibits that trace the development of Chinese communities along with mixed-media displays of Chinese restaurants and Laundries in New York. Tickets to the Museum of Chinese in America are available for purchase at the door or in advance online. 8. The New Kam Hing Coffee Shop Get your sugar and caffeine fix at the New Kam Hing Coffee Shop. This 30-year-old coffee shop doesn’t look like much but serves up the best boat-shaped white-sugar cake, coffee, and green tea. It also has an angel-food-like interior that is light and airy. What’s more, take the time to shop for some great Asian cuisine at the Hong Kong Supermarket. It’s a Chinatown megastore that has everything for Asian food fanatics. Get fermented black beans, fresh noodles, and dumpling wrappers. Everything’s fresh, and the sushi stall offers tasty to-go fresh rolls. 9. Concerts at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall How better to end this list than with the prospect of world-renowned symphonies featuring film and harp projections. There’s even a pre-concert reception where you can dine with the artists. Previous performers include Jiaxin Tian and conductor Gregory Singer. Orchestral performances are some of the finest in the world at the hallowed house of high arts: the Lincoln Center. Tickets are available for purchase online. Guided Lincoln Center Tour tickets are available on the New York Explorer Pass. So, from dazzling fireworks shows and colorful parades to great museums and concerts, it’s clear that there’s no shortage of things to do in NYC for Chinese New Year. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, no place celebrates the Chinese New Year better than the Big Apple. Remember To Save on Attraction Admission If you’re looking for things to do in NYC for Chinese New Year, spend some time in Chinatown checking out all of the festive events, and be sure to add some New York City sightseeing to your itinerary, too. Remember, some of these great options are available on the New York Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 50% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the special events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the New York Explorer Pass.
Samuel Ford
Central Park Spring
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Things to Do in New York in Spring

New York City really comes alive in the springtime. The parks are in bloom, the snow has melted away, and there's a happy and warm air (literally and figuratively) that sweeps the entire island. It’s also a great time to visit, with cheaper airfare and lodging available, shorter attraction lines, and exciting new special events and shows offered daily. If you’re looking for things to do in New York in spring, check out our list of some of the best activities and attractions, including... Butterfly Conservatory Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History Top of the Rock Observatory Empire State Building Landmarks Cruise Central Park Bike Rental Cherry Blossom Season at Brooklyn Botanic Garden Baseball Games and Sports Stadiums New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show Macy’s Flower Show Tribeca Film Festival American Museum of Natural History Butterfly Conservatory In addition to being one of our favorite museums in the entire city, the American Museum of Natural History is also a great place to visit (over and over again) because of their spectacular line-up of special exhibits. Explore the grounds Night at the Museum style. Study dinosaur fossils, learn about biodiversity and environmentalism, travel from Earth to space, and much more. In spring, check out the annually-available Butterfly Conservatory Exhibit, which showcases these amazing delicate creatures in a riot of color and shapes. Top of the Rock Obersvatory While the city’s natural landscapes are slowly starting to come to life, it’s kind of hard to get the right perspective on nature from the ground. See spring in full bloom from the Top of the Rock. Zip all the way to the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza for spectacular views of Central Park and beyond. Enjoy a skyline dotted by skyscrapers and greenery. Empire State Building Another great place to see the entire city come to life is from atop the famous Empire State Building. The Empire State Building experience is more than just an observation deck, too. As you journey from the ground floor to the top, you'll be immersed in interactive exhibits that tell the story of this architectural masterpiece. Learn how the Art Deco building has become one of the most famous in the world. Landmarks Cruise The warmer weather calls for a ride through the harbor. Hop aboard a Circle Line Sightseeing cruise and see the iconic Manhattan skyline from the water. The Landmarks Cruise is a classic and will cover all things NYC. Float by the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and more. Central Park Bike Rentals and Tours The return of warm(ish) weather to NYC means that people are bringing their bikes out in force. Join in with an easy bike rental and pedal through the always lovely Central Park to enjoy the emerging flowers all around you. If you want to explore beyond the park, another popular route takes you across the Brooklyn Bridge. There are often guided tours you can join as well, which allows you to explore the city without the pressure of figuring out where to go on your own, and deciding whether or not there's really a bike lane ahead of you. Brooklyn Botanic Garden There are few things as lovely as these delicate, exotic blossoms. Fortunately for you, you don’t need to travel thousands of miles to Japan to see these amazing trees for yourself. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has an astonishing collection of cherry blossom trees that bloom in splendor each spring. Roam the gardens and marvel at their beauty – with camera in hand, of course! They even have a cherry blossom tracker you can use to see when the trees will be at the point of peak bloom, so you can plan your trip around a certain date. Root for the Home Team One of America’s favorite springtime traditions is the return of Major League Baseball. It's always a ton of fun to take in a game with the whole family, and NYC fans will be cheering right along with you. So whichever team you support, there’s some exciting early-season baseball to enjoy during your next NYC trip! Want to see more of Yankee Stadium? Take a tour! Sports fans may also enjoy a tour of Madison Square Garden. New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show The Annual Orchid Show NYC is a sight not to be missed for fans of gardening or all things botanical. Come to the New York Botanical Garden to see the gorgeous array of various orchid specimens, arranged in ways to evoke the wild beauty of these distinctive plants. Get excited to see some beautiful plants, and consider bringing one home, too! Macy’s Flower Show In celebration of the beauty of spring, the Macy’s Flower Show is back for another amazing year. Visit the iconic department store and see the displays come to life with thousands of gorgeous flowers covering mannequins and more. A must-see for plant lovers there will be several special events and talks, marvelous featured gardens, and even bouquets of the day. You'll even find floral-themed food and face-painting for the kids. Tribeca Film Festival The amazing Tribeca Film Festival is one of the city’s best-beloved events of its kind. In addition to dozens of film screenings at theaters across the neighborhood, the festival also offers special events, Tribeca Talks panels, interactive installations, live music, and much more. Save on springtime activities in New York City Here's just a few fun ideas to add to your spring vacation itinerary. Regular admission to a number of these attractions is available with Go City. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Be sure to check out what other attractions we have available on the New York Explorer Pass.
Katie Sagal

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