How to Spend a Perfect Christmas Day in New York City
Spending Christmas in New York is a unique experience! With the city beautifully decorated, iconic attractions, and special events, you can create an itinerary filled with unforgettable moments. From the famous tree at Rockefeller Center to strolls through Christmas markets and entertainment options for the whole family, New York offers countless ways to enjoy this special day! In this post, I’ll share my suggestions for how to spend a perfect Christmas Day in New York, making the most of what the city has to offer!
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Stroll in Central Park
Start your day with a walk through Central Park. Even in winter, the park is beautiful! The contrast of the trees against the skyscrapers in the background is a must-see, and it’s a great way to begin the day in touch with nature, escaping a bit from the city’s frenetic pace. If you like, bring a hot chocolate to warm up or have breakfast at one of the few cafes along the way – I suggest the Le Pain Quotidien by Sheep Meadow.
Some of the places I highly recommend visiting if you’re short on time include: Bethesda Terrace, Bethesda Fountain, Gapstow Bridge, The Mall & Literary Walk, Strawberry Fields (John Lennon memorial), and Bow Bridge.
Ice Skating
Next, I suggest taking advantage of one of the famous ice skating rinks. Since you’re already in Central Park, you can go to Wollman Rink (book in advance HERE). I think it’s the perfect size and surrounded by nature and buildings, creating a lovely atmosphere. However, there are several other ice skating rinks throughout New York! Central Park is my favorite, but my second favorite is Bryant Park (book HERE), though it tends to be more crowded—despite being a great option for those wanting to grab a bite there and enjoy a more festive village experience. The rink at Rockefeller Center (book HERE) is also a classic. There are many other rinks, but I think these are the most iconic for the occasion. Check out this post HERE for other rinks around the city.
Lunch at a Christmas-themed Restaurant – or at the Bryant Park Winter Market
On Christmas Day, many restaurants close, but some still operate. Often, they have a fixed menu and price per person, while others follow a regular menu.
In this post HERE, I listed some of the most popular options for spending Christmas Day in New York, including one in Central Park, Tavern on The Green, but you need to book in advance!
The more accessible “themed” option that doesn’t require a reservation would be the Christmas market at Bryant Park, but depending on the time, it can get quite crowded, making it harder to find a table and leading to long lines at some stalls. But if comfort isn’t a priority, I recommend it.
If none of the options mentioned above or at the end of the post interest you for ending your Christmas Day, I highly recommend a nighttime dinner cruise on New York’s rivers! It’s always a beautiful and comfortable experience; I’ve done it several times. Book the best dinner, brunch, or Christmas lunch tours HERE on the official company website in English.
Bonus: Visit an Observatory
December 25 is one of the few days when New York City slows down a bit, and many attractions and museums close. A great option for Christmas Day is visiting observatories. I recommend buying tickets in advance since this date is highly sought after. To ensure the best prices and free cancellation, I suggest purchasing through Tiqets by clicking HERE and using the coupon NYABOUT10OFF. My favorite observatories, in order, are: Summit, Edge, Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, and One World. The discount coupon (NYABOUT10OFF) works for all; just click the name of each one above to purchase your ticket.
Oh! They might be quite crowded since it’s one of the few attractions open but to be honest, what is not crowded during that time of the year in NY? Maybe Central Park lol.
Bonus: Have a Christmas Photo Shoot
If you want to capture memories of this special day in New York, scheduling a photo shoot is a great option. I’ve done Christmas photos at various points in the city, and having someone capture those moments allows you to enjoy the experience without worrying about the photos. Below, I’ll share some images from shoots I’ve done in previous Christmas seasons for inspiration.
You can book your session with me (yes, I’m a photographer here in New York!) or with other photographers from my team here in New York! Just DM me your dates at @fotografaemnovayork.
I recommend booking for early in the day to ensure all the locations are less crowded—or save it for another day.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 6th and 5th Avenues, and the Rockefeller Center Tree
You can’t miss this! The area around 5th Avenue leading to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center are the most sought-after and crowded places on this day.
The cathedral is beautiful, and depending on the schedule, there may be a Christmas mass. It’s worth checking the official website (HERE) and reserving a time if necessary. And of course, don’t forget to try to take photos next to the iconic tree! After the lighting ceremony (which will take place on December 4, 2024), the tree is lit from 6 AM to midnight, but especially on Christmas, it remains lit 24 hours.
You can also check out the light and music show on the Saks facade across the street!
From there, it’s worth walking down 6th Avenue towards Bryant Park, where the most famous Christmas market in New York is located. Or if you prefer, catch the Christmas Spectacular musical- I’ll talk more about that below and how to buy with a discount- it takes place in this area and has several showtimes.
PS: My tip for those wanting a more peaceful photo with the tree is to arrive very early, as this area gets even more crowded later in the day or go as late as possible since the tree will be lit 24 hours straight.
Christmas Market at Bryant Park (and Ice Skating Rink)
After all those activities, it’s time to visit the Christmas market at Bryant Park to relax a bit. Besides being an excellent place to find unique and handmade gifts, the market has various food stalls, hot drinks, and even more Christmas activities. I always recommend taking some time to explore the shops and, of course, trying something. The hot chocolates and apple ciders there are quite tasty—check out the place of the moment for the year you visit!
To wrap up Christmas Day in style, I recommend attending one of the great shows or events happening in the city this time of year, such as some I’ll list below, and of course, dining at a restaurant if you prefer.
Bonus: Watch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
To make your Christmas in the city even more magical, the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes is a must-see.
The shows have been running since 1933 and are held at Radio City Music Hall, one of New York’s most famous venues. The show season starts in November and runs through early January, so it’s brief and highly sought after!
Where to Buy Tickets for the Christmas Spectacular:
- To purchase with $20 off your first ticket, buy HERE and enter the coupon BLOGNY.
- To buy with $20 off your first purchase over $200, click HERE and enter the coupon VS20.
- Or click HERE or HERE to reserve without discount (but always compare because sometimes most sites have fees that only appear at the end or have some great promotion going on). You can also try to get tickets at a better rate in person at the Box Office. But I wouldn’t risk it doing that on Christmas Day, I would recommend buying in advance.
What’s the best place to watch the show? Since the stage is wide, I recommend sitting in the center— not too close but also not too far—so you can get an overall view while still seeing the details. I’ve sat far back and it was beautiful too.
Bonus: Watch a Broadway Musical
There’s nothing like seeing a Broadway musical at Christmas. Many shows have special performances during this time, and it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the New York vibe. Classic shows like Wicked, Chicago, and MJ The Musical will be running during Christmas 2024, and it’s worth checking the schedule to choose your favorite. Below, I’ll list some options to buy tickets, remembering that Christmas is always quite competitive, so the sooner you can secure your tickets, the better!
How to Buy Broadway Tickets at a Discount:
Today Tix and other platforms for purchasing discounted tickets: If you want convenience, you can buy discounted tickets online from various sites. The most famous is Today Tix (click HERE to buy through the blog link), but there are several others like Vivid Seats, Goldstar, Broadway Box, Broadway Direct, Theater Mania, Playbill, among others. I recommend simulating the purchase until the end, as there may be fees that only appear at the final stage of the purchase.
Tiqets – 10% off: By using the code NYABOUT10OFF, you can secure a 10% discount through the blog link (HERE!), but you cannot choose a specific seat, only the section.
SeatGeek – $20 off: With my code on SeatGeek, you receive $20 off your first purchase of $50 or more! Just enter my code BLOGNY at checkout and you’re all set! Click HERE.
Vivid Seats – $20 off: With my link and code on VividSeats, you get $20 off your first purchase of $200 or more! Just enter my code VS20 at checkout! Click HERE!
Bonus: Watch a Basketball Game in New York
One of the coolest experiences you can have in New York, whether you’re a basketball fan or not! Tickets aren’t always cheap, but I recommend keeping an eye out because you can sometimes find last-minute deals at reasonable prices.
How to buy tickets for basketball games in New York?
There are several sites that sell and resell tickets. One of the most famous is SeatGeek – and with the code BLOGNY, you can buy your first ticket over $50 with $20 off!
You can also get $20 off your first purchase over $200 by clicking HERE and entering the code VS20.
Buy tickets for basketball games on other sites as well, like Ticket Network HERE and/or search sites like Ticketmaster, Stubhub, Hello Tickets, and others. Always compare, as some sites have fees that only appear at the end or have great promotions going on.
Dinner at a Special Restaurant
On Christmas Day, many restaurants close, but some remain open. Sometimes it’s just a regular menu and sometimes with a fixed price per person.
I recommend using Open Table or Resy to make reservations.
Check the list of some restaurants open on Christmas Day in New York (make sure they’ll be open in 2024 and book in advance) HERE!
Bonus: Visit the Decorated Houses in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
This is becoming our NYC tradition, and on the 25th, many people venture out there too. From my experience, I’ve never gone on the 25th, but I imagine it’s a bit more of a hassle to get there by public transport – subways and buses run less frequently on holidays – and Uber/Lyft/Revel may be pricier due to demand. But if you don’t have another date to go, keep this in mind.
I talked about how to get there and where to go in Dyker Heights HERE!
I hope this guide helps you plan your perfect day and make the most of Christmas in New York. Don’t forget to book tickets in advance and capture all those special moments to keep in your memory. Enjoy every second and Merry Christmas!
Attractions and Discounts in New York
How to Save in New York:
I’ve gathered several posts with tips on how to save:
Accommodation:
Hotels: Click HERE to check the post with the best cost-benefit hotels in Queens and HERE for general hotels.
Airbnb: Check out apartments with Brazilian hosts who offer discounts for blog readers in New York and surrounding areas! Click HERE!
Transfers:
Brazilian Driver – special discount for readers: Alex is the group’s official driver and offers discounts on services for you! Contact him via WhatsApp: (917) 656-7299 or on Instagram HERE!
SIM Card:
America Chip: Use the code: america10 for a 10% discount! Click HERE.
My Chip: Use the code: MARTHASACHSER to get a 15% discount. Click HERE.
Airalo (digital SIM): Use the code: NYANDABOUT10 for a 10% discount! Click HERE.
For more tips on saving in New York, check the full blog post HERE.
Coming to New York? Get an Organized Itinerary by Region! Download the Official Blog Guide!
One of the most challenging parts of traveling is deciding when, where, and how to visit the main attractions and sights in your destination. That’s why I highly recommend the blog’s New York guide which includes ready-made itineraries organized by region or by days.
The guide is organized by region with step-by-step instructions on where to go, eat, shop, attractions, filming locations, and MUCH more, all laid out for you to explore every corner of NY and return home feeling like a true New Yorker! There are 16 itineraries that you can follow strictly, combine regions, or use as a base for your own itinerary. There are also options for itineraries by days.
You can download the official guide HERE as an eBook and receive a 10% discount with the code GUIANOVO10 or purchase it on Amazon with delivery to Brazil HERE!
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