The Top 10 Things To Do In New York City During The Holidays in 2023
There’s something magical about New York City during the holiday season. Between the festive decorations at Macy’s and Rockefeller Center and the holiday pop-up activities such as the Columbus Circle Holiday Market or the Bryant Park Winter Village, it is a spectacular place to visit in December.
#10 - Empire State Building
There might not be a better time to go up to the top of the Empire State Building than during the holidays. Surrounded by water and filled with countless skyscrapers, the city is already beautiful. But, add in the extra holiday colors illuminating the buildings and it’s hard to think of a more beautiful sight. Read MoreUnplanned, we happened to go up to the top just before the sun began setting over the city. We were treated to a glorious sunset that filled the sky with vibrant pinks and oranges. Once darkness swept over, the buildings lit up the Big Apple, many of which featured special, seasonal colors.
#9 - Shop for presents at Macys
The good thing about Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square is that it’s so big that no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be certain to find it there. With 1.25 million, yes we said million, square feet of retail space, the store is the biggest department store in the United States. If you need to get some holiday Read Moregifts, this is a great place to go. Even if you don’t, it’s worth a visit as their holiday decorations are mesmerizing. From the themed window displays to the giant illuminated letters along the building, it will definitely put a little more Christmas spirit in your heart. Also, it’s close to Madison Square Garden if you’re lucky enough to catch a game or show!
#8 - See a Holiday Show
Home to Broadway, one would expect to find many fantastic live performances in the city. Since you’ll certainly find yourself in Times Square or around Rockefeller Center at some point during your holiday trip, definitely carve some time out in your schedule to take in a play or musical. We’ve seen Beetlejuice, Read Morethe Lion King, Hamilton, Wicked, and more, and have always been blown away by the performances. Prices can be expensive, so be sure to take advantage of the TKTS booth to score some discounted tickets. Also, we were lucky enough to catch a special holiday performance by Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden. Be sure to check the calendars for the sports arenas in the area for special shows and events.
#7 - Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
After spending the day shopping for gifts on Fifth Avenue and checking out the countless Christmas window displays at the various shops, be sure to stick around until after dark to witness the amazing Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show! Located at the flagship store on Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Street, Read Morethe show features around 600,000 lights! The show is short and sweet, lasting 3-4 minutes, and it happens every 10 minutes between the hours of 5 PM and 11 PM. Each year the show is different and has a unique theme, which makes it a must-do each and every year. This area also gives you a great view of the Rockefeller tree and ice skating rink!
#6 - Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Every trip to New York City should include at least one or two visits to Central Park. With roughly 42 million visitors annually, it is the most visited urban park in the world. After taking a leisurely stroll, bike ride, or carriage ride, be sure to stop by the southwest corner to check out the Columbus Circle Holiday Read MoreMarket. Filled with pop-up stores, quick bites, and delicious treats, (hot chocolate anyone?) the market is a ton of fun! This is very close to the NY indoor mall and the gigantic Nordstrom’s is right across the street to add in some extra holiday shopping.
#5 - Bryant Park Winter Village
In its 20th year, the Bryant Park Winter Village has grown from a smallish affair into a NYC holiday must-do. With almost 200 boutique shops and a bunch of holiday-themed food and drinks, the New York Public Library adjacent park truly transforms into a winter wonderland. With curling and admission-free ice skating Read More(they only charge to rent the skates, reservations are required) there is something to do for everybody. Their Lodge Bar + Food Hall is a great spot for a festive drink or snack and the park has one of the cleanest public park bathrooms in the city. There’s definitely holiday magic in the air at Bryant Park!
#4 - Movie & Television Tour
Take a bus or walking tour around the Big Apple on a narrated excursion to check out where they film famous scenes from many top movies and shows. Snap a pic of The Plaza Hotel where they filmed Home Alone 2, visit the fire station from GhostBusters, and pose in front of the Friends apartment. We booked through a Read Morecompany called “On Location Tours. ” The tour was mostly on a bus, but we had 3 stops along the way to get out and take pictures, including Washington Square. We had a great time with the tour guide’s knowledge, trivia, and black and white cookies! Plus, this doubled as a tour to see all the hot spots, such as Times Square, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and the Empire State Building.
#3 - Shop in Times Square
Before the big party on New Year’s Eve where the ball drops and the new year numbers illuminate the area, Times Square is filled to the brim with Christmas spirit. Shop inside the large stores, most featuring holiday decorations and Christmas trees. Check out the Hershey’s or M&M’s stores for some goodies Read Moreand hot cocoa! Many restaurants, including Bacall’s Family Steakhouse, go all out with seasonal flare. Be sure to make reservations as they will be crowded. Fans of Broadway will want to catch a show while in the area or check out the festive, giant, Broadway Snow Globes.
#2 - Visit the Rockefeller Tree
This is it, the most famous Christmas tree in the world. The tree is put up each year around the middle of November and its lighting ceremony is broadcast live on NBC to hundreds of millions of people after Thanksgiving. The tree itself, most often a Norway Spruce, can range in height anywhere from 69 to 100 feet. Read MoreThe tree remains up through mid-January and is lit from 6 AM to midnight, save for being on for all 24 hours on Christmas and turning off early (at 9 PM) on New Year’s Eve. Conveniently located next to Radio City Music Hall and close to Times Square and 5th Avenue, the tree is so gorgeous in person that you’ll want to visit it each night you’re in town. Make sure to pop into FAO Schwarz while here!
#1 - See the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
If this show doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit, nothing will! This precision dance group has been performing at Radio City Music Hall for the past 90 years. They begin performing their Christmas Spectacular show around the middle of November and their last shows take place very soon after the New Year. Read MoreUnbelievably, they perform the show four to five times a day, giving visitors many options so it’s easy to find one to fit into the itinerary. The show involves live music, singing, a 3D adventure, Santa, and so much more. Fun for the entire family and an opportunity to see the incredibly beautiful Radio City Music Hall, this show is not to be missed.
Check out the top 10 things to do in New York year around!
New York During the Holidays Travel Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York worth visiting 2023? New York is the most visited city in the United States, getting over 13,000,000 every year. It is definitely worth visiting in 2023, especially during the holiday season! With a city so grand, our list is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to doing things in NYC. Shows, tours, and Read Moredelicious food await you year-round in the Big Apple.
How to plan a Christmas trip to New York City? Planning a holiday trip to NYC can feel overwhelming because there are so many iconic things to do and see. However, if you make a plan ahead of time and plan to bundle activities that are close to each other, then your trip will be efficient and you’ll make the most out of your trip. Also, don’t forget to pack your winter coat and umbrella!
Is it a good idea to go to New York for Christmas? We went to NY for Christmas last year and it was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. The vibe and atmosphere in the city during the holidays was so great and we loved seeing all the decorations spread throughout the city! Visiting NYC during the holidays is arguably the best time to visit!
What is the new attraction in New York City 2023? New York is a city that is full of history yet it’s still always growing and adapting. 2023 brought a lot of exciting changes to the island including:
Gansevoort Peninsula, Manhattan's first public beach, is expected to be fully opened by the end of 2023.
Rockefeller Center Revitalization welcomes new shops, restaurants, and experiences to one of New York most visited areas.
Many new hotels opened in 2023 including The FIDI, Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, and Tempo by Hilton Times Square.
Upgrades to both LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
New activities like museum openings and expansions and limited pop-up experiences.
What is the most visited place 2023? While New York remains atop the list of the most visited places in the United States, some international cities actually see more visitors each year. Some of those cities that saw more visitors in 2023 include Hong Kong, Bangkok, Paris, London, and Dubai.