Month by month · 36 guides
New York in December
My guides for New York in December and this year’s dates as they land.
Start with these
What I’d read first in DecemberInside December
7 topicsThe Best of New York
Every list- The best things to do in New York City in December
- The best restaurants open on Christmas Day
- The best hot chocolate in New York City
- The best things to do for Christmas in New York City
- The best Christmas lights in New York City
- The best holiday markets in New York City
- The best Christmas shows in New York City
- The best Christmas decorations in New York City
- The best Christmas things to do in New York City with kids
- The best holiday window displays in New York City
- The best free things to do at Christmas in New York City
- The best ice skating rinks in New York City
Dates in December
Every date on the map- TueDec 1through Dec 31Columbus Circle Holiday Market openUpper West Side · free · announcedChristmas 2026
- WedDec 2Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremonyMidtown · free · announcedChristmas 2026
- FriDec 4through Dec 11Grand Army Plaza (5th Ave) World's Largest Menorah nightly lightingsMidtown · free · announcedChristmas 2026
- SatDec 5through Dec 13Peter and the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi (Works & Process at the Guggenheim)Upper East Side · announcedChristmas 2026
- SatDec 12SantaCon NYCRotates, announced annually · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 24through Dec 25St Patrick's Cathedral Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass scheduleMidtown · free · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 31through Jan 1Carbone New Year's Eve dinnerGreenwich Village · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 31through Jan 1Copacabana New Year's Eve partyHell's Kitchen · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 31through Jan 1HK Hall New Year's Eve partyHell's Kitchen · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 31through Jan 1House of Yes New Year's Eve partyBushwick, Brooklyn · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 31New York Road Runners Midnight RunManhattan · free · announcedChristmas 2026
- ThuDec 31Prospect Park New Year's Eve fireworks (Grand Army Plaza)Park Slope, Brooklyn · free · announcedChristmas 2026
From the trackers. Announced means the venue said so. Expected carries last year's timing until it lands.
What readers asked about December
Ask meClosed due to a fire.
Thank you so much for telling me, Linda! You’re right. Papillon had a kitchen fire in July and it’s still closed, with no reopening date yet. I’m so sad about it, because it’s my top pick at Christmas. If you want a…
Christmas-Decorated Restaurants in New YorkOh how fun! I hope you have the most wonderful trip -- this city really is magical. Enjoy every second!
Things to Do for Christmas in New YorkHi, thanks so much for the info! Just wanted to let you know that reservations are now opening up 6 days ahead of time (not 5!) I found this out too late unfortunately!
Oh thank you so much for the heads up! I'll get that updated right away -- really appreciate you letting me know!
Guide to Macy’s Santaland in New YorkEvery guide in December
36, by topicChristmas 20
- New York in DecemberSo you’ve decided to visit New York City in December, lucky you! This month just might be the best time in the Big Apple, especially for those who…19 places, 15 worth it
- Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in New York City13 places, 13 worth it
- Things to Do for Christmas in NYCNew for 2026. Every place in this guide is on my Christmas tracker, a map and a calendar of the whole season with the dates the morning they are…30 places, 23 worth it · Updated Mar 22
- New York City Christmas Light DisplaysAs a local, I’m always on the lookout for the best Christmas lights in New York City. Luckily, the city is full of dazzling displays that never cease…10 places, 9 worth it
- Iconic NYC Holiday Markets First Time Visitors Can’t Afford to MissCelebrating the holidays in New York City is something everyone should make an effort to experience firsthand. On par with the city’s soaring…10 places, 9 worth it
- Christmas Performances in New York CityAs someone who’s enjoyed more than two dozen holiday shows in NYC firsthand, I thought it might be helpful to share my personal list of favorites.8 places, 8 worth it
- Visiting NYC During Christmas with Kids: 2026 Family GuideNew York City during the holidays is just as magical as you can imagine. For families with kids, visiting NYC at Christmas can be a core memory in…14 places, 12 worth it
- Spots for Christmas Decorations In New York CityAs a local, there’s nothing I love more than Christmastime in New York City when the city transforms into a winter wonderland. The magical holiday…16 places, 13 worth it
- New York City Christmas Activities for KidsVisiting New York City during the holidays with kids will leave you with a lifetime of cherished memories. But let’s get real, adequate planning is…14 places, 12 worth it
- Holiday Window Displays in New York CityOn brand with the city’s reputation as a holiday destination, the famous Christmas window displays in New York City are known the world over. Every…10 places, 10 worth it
- Free Things to Do in New York City During ChristmasIt’s no secret that the Big Apple is expensive, so finding free Christmas activities in New York City Admiring the interior is a no-brainer, so swing…19 places, 16 worth it
- New York City Christmas TreesThe Big Apple’s holiday decor is hard to beat and nothing embodies the holiday spirit more than the striking Christmas trees in New York City. But…10 places, 10 worth it
- Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York CityThe winter months bring more than just the misery of cold weather and gray skies, they also usher in the joy of ice skating in New York City! If…10 places, 7 worth it
- Things to Do at Rockefeller Center During ChristmasLet’s play out a hypothetical. You land in New York the week of Christmas and have a few hours to seize as much holiday magic as possible, where do…11 places, 6 worth it
- Christmas-Decorated Restaurants in New York CityI love the way restaurants decorate for Christmas in New York City. On par with the city’s reputation for extravagant decor, restaurants don’t play…11 places, 10 worth it
- Bars Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in NYCThanks to shoe-box-sized apartments and insane room-service prices, celebrating Christmas day in New York City can prove to be difficult. Not to…10 places, 10 worth it
- Holiday Treats You Must Try During Christmas in New York CitySome would argue that having a food bucket list is just as important as having an experience bucket list. Finding great Christmas desserts in NYC can…10 places, 8 worth it
- Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York CityThe abundance of Christmas pop-up bars in New York City is proof that the holidays in the Big Apple are unmatched. The popular haunts use over the…12 places, 12 worth it
- Christmas Movies Filmed in New York CityAfter years of binging movies filmed in New York City during Christmas, I finally had the chance to experience the season firsthand after moving to…
- NYC Christmas Photo SpotsIf you’re spending the holidays in New York City, chances are you’ll want to share the magic with everyone. And who can blame you? The city is every…10 places, 9 worth it
Winter 2
- Essential Winter Coats New Yorkers Swear ByA lot of readers have reached out asking about the best winter coats for New York City. As a 10-year local, I figured why not give it a shot? After…4 places, 3 worth it
- Worthwhile Winter Activities in New York CityWinter in New York City is an ideal time to visit the Big Apple for those who like to explore new cities at a slower pace without mind-boggling…16 places, 12 worth it
Desserts 1
New Year’s 1
Shops 1
Thanksgiving 1
More 10
- What to Wear in NYC in December and the Rest of WinterWearing.Jacket | Jeans | Cashmere Scarf | Sweater | Shoes It's no secret that winters in New York City can be "a bit much," so in an effort to make…
- Is NYC Worth Visiting in Winter?Every winter I watch visitors from somewhere warm step off a subway grate onto a midtown sidewalk in February and question every decision they have…
- My NYC Christmas PlaybookThere's a moment every December when the city shifts. The lights go up on Fifth Avenue, the air smells like roasted chestnuts and cold pavement, and…
- How to Celebrate SantaCon in New York CityLove it or hate it, there's no denying that SantaCon draws an enthusiastic crowd come December. Festively clad New Yorkers take to the streets for…
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide 2026The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights have been captivating locals for four generations. As a seasoned explorer of this cherished tradition, I'm here to…
- Complete Guide to Macy’s Santaland in NYCOf all the cherished holiday traditions in New York City perhaps none is more magical for children than visiting Santa in real life at Macy's. Tucked…
- Guide to Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times SquareImage Courtesy Time Square Celebrating New Years Eve in Times Square is a bucket-list item for folks all around the globe, and for good reason.…
- Ice Skating in Central ParkIce skating in Central Park is a blissful, memorable experience regardless of The city skyline serves as a magnificent backdrop to a cherished…
- How to Dress an Infant for Winter in New York CityLet me be honest. Dress an Infant for Winter in New York City can feel overwhelming when you're trying to plan the perfect trip. I've done the…
- Question from a reader: How do I prep for the winter weather in NYC?Hi there! There’s a lot of new faces on here (welcome!) so please allow me to (re)introduce myself.
