December in New York: weather, what to wear, attractions, and much more!

First of all, if this is your first time in New York, I highly recommend checking out the post 15 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to New York!

New York is a top winter destination, especially in December. This might be thanks to the many Christmas movies and shows set in the city. And it’s no wonder—despite the cold, the lights, decorations, and overall atmosphere give the city a magical feel. I’ll admit that, after fall, December is my favorite time of year here, so I’ve put together some tips to make your experience even better!

Before I forget, you can follow more about New York on my Instagram, @marthasachser, and my YouTube channel. And if you have a trip planned to New York, be sure to join the blog’s NYC tips group on Facebook HERE! We also have NYC tips groups on Telegram and WhatsApp (this is our fifth group). And to purchase my New York guide with a ready-made itinerary to save even more time and money, click HERE!

What You Need to Know Before Going to New York in December:

Three important things to consider about December: it’s cold, it’s more expensive, and the city is busier (hello, lines!). In other words, it requires more planning, especially financially, since both hotels and airfare tend to be more costly. Another thing to consider is shows and performances, which are more in demand if you don’t plan ahead, you might be left with only pricier tickets or seats that aren’t the best. Learn how to buy Broadway tickets at a discount HERE!

In terms of the cold, this also means more space in your suitcase for warm clothing or even buying winter clothes here, so make sure to leave space or budget for that. To see stores for buying winter clothes in NY, click HERE! Another thing to remember is that in December, it gets dark around 4:30 p.m., so plan to do activities that require daylight (such as parks, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, etc.) before nightfall. If you’re coming to New York, be sure to download my complete guide and ready-made itinerary for up to 16 days in the city to make the most of your time here! Click HERE to download!

Since everything is busier in December, here’s a list with some suggestions on how to prepare:

Check out all the discounts for blog readers in NY HERE!
Book restaurants for holiday dates in advance. See some suggestions HERE!
Reserve your photo shoot with a $10 discount using the code NYANDABOUT10 HERE!
Download the blog’s guide with a ready-made itinerary to save time, money, and truly experience NY HERE!
Purchase Broadway tickets in advance with a discount HERE!
Book your transfer with a Brazilian driver HERE and get a special discount.
Book all NY attractions (including observatories) with a 5% discount, in Portuguese, and free cancellation using the code NYABOUT5OFF HERE!

What’s the weather like in New York in December?

Obviously, it’s cold, but I generally find it quite manageable—things tend to get “worse” in January and February. December temperatures usually range from -3 to 9 degrees Celsius. Could it be warmer or colder than that? Yes. As usual, New York’s weather can be unpredictable. I always say it doesn’t typically snow often in December, but some years it does happen more, especially in the second half of the month. A white Christmas? In twelve years, I’ve only seen it once or twice. But who knows, you might be lucky enough to see a snowy Christmas day!

The biggest issue in winter is the wind, so dress warmly to avoid catching a cold.

How to dress for the cold in New York in December?

– I value comfort a lot, and my tip is to have a really good heavy coat, and underneath, wear regular winter clothes, or even thermal clothing, depending on the coat and the weather. It’s worth remembering that heating in most establishments is usually excellent, so you won’t feel cold indoors. That’s why I usually wear lighter clothes underneath, but typically long-sleeve tops.

– It’s important to remember that the cold in Brazil is very different from the cold in New York, and the wind here is brutal. If you’re not used to it, bring extra money to invest in something warmer. On really cold days, I either wear thermal leggings underneath or put on leg warmers over my pants that go up to my knees, and I prefer long coats. Don’t forget to check out the post about stores specializing in winter clothing HERE! In the photo below, an example of how I dress on colder winter days:

– For your extremities, I recommend the famous hand and foot warmers, which you can buy at any pharmacy or discount stores like Jack’s 99 or Lot Less. You place them inside your gloves, pockets, and shoes, and they’re a lifesaver for those days when you need to stay outside for a long time. They’re very affordable, costing between $1 and $3 each, but they’re worth the investment.

– Shoes: You can even wear regular shoes, preferably with thick soles to avoid getting cold easily. For snow days, I recommend opting for shoes with non-slip soles, waterproof ones (you can buy a spray to make some shoes waterproof, but I’ve never used it myself!), or actual snow boots. I’ve lived in the US for over 10 years, and I confess I don’t use snow boots as they take up too much space in my closet and have limited use for me since it doesn’t snow that often. So, I usually wear boots similar to UGGs, which are very warm, or even sneakers or high-heeled boots without a heel, which protect the leg well.

– Accessories like gloves, scarves, and hats are available everywhere. You can find them in fast-fashion stores (Forever 21, H&M, etc.), department stores and discount stores (Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Burlington, etc.), and even street vendors, especially around Times Square. They typically cost between $5-15. The photos below are from a day when the temperature was around 10°C (50°F). The photo above shows how I dress, with high waterproof boots (which I no longer have), foot warmers inside, and a heavy long coat.

Where to stay in New York in December?

New York doesn’t really have one “best” area to stay in; there are interesting points and attractions all over the city. However, staying in Midtown is an advantage due to the ease of getting around quickly by foot, subway, taxi, or bus. But don’t limit yourself—there are amazing areas to explore in New York. I always recommend staying near a subway station, as it can take you anywhere 24 hours a day and is a great way to escape the cold.

I recommend several hotels in New York with good cost-benefit, click HERE to check out some! Another great tip is to consider hostels, which usually have standard prices regardless of the season. I’ve made a post listing some of the best hostels in New York, click HERE to check them out!

Airbnb is another option that can often be much more affordable than a hotel. The rule in New York is that the apartment owner must be “living” at the location during your stay. Be mindful of this to avoid any issues and talk a lot with your host to understand what to do, and read reviews from others who have stayed there.

PHOTOSHOOT IN NEW YORK WITH A DISCOUNT!

New York is a beautiful city, and a photoshoot is definitely the best investment of my trips! The best part is that you can book your photoshoot here directly through the Fotos na Mala website and use my code NYANDABOUT10 to get an extra $10 off your photoshoot! The prices on the website are already discounted, so always book through there to ensure the best prices! Visit and book: www.fotosnamala.com.

What to do in New York in December?

There’s no shortage of attractions in New York’s most exciting month! That’s why I’ve selected some must-see activities for you in this post HERE and HERE. It’s worth checking them out and planning ahead because some are in high demand and sell out quickly or have really long lines!

Christmas Shows and Experiences in December in New York

If you’re coming at the end of the year, the Christmas Spectacular is one of New York’s most traditional Christmas shows. You can get $20 off tickets over $50 with my code BLOGNY on SeatGeek, which is a leading platform for booking tickets to shows, sporting events, and Broadway performances. The Nutcracker is another popular one, and the discount code is also valid for it!

Another great experience is visiting the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, where you’ll find a true Christmas wonderland. It’s a really cool tour, and you can do it on your own or with a Brazilian driver or tour guide. I’ve talked more about it in this post HERE!

Christmas in New York

Christmas is the main character of the month as the city celebrates and prepares for it. There are incredible store windows, trees that create an event when they light up for the first time, attracting crowds… And of course, not to mention the restaurants that become more cozy and inviting during this time! If you’re spending Christmas here, it’s important to remember that not everything is open on the 25th. Most stores close, and the same happens with restaurants. It’s also common for restaurants to offer a fixed menu during the holiday season, with a set price per person and a few menu options. Check out a list of great restaurants to spend Christmas HERE! You can also consult OpenTable to make reservations and see which restaurants will be open on the 25th and 24th.

Christmas Decorations

New York doesn’t hold back on Christmas decorations, so check out this post HERE to find where the best ones are, including the most beautiful trees!

Where to spend New Year’s Eve in New York?

And for those coming for New Year’s Eve, don’t forget to check out this post HERE with some tips on where to go and what to do on that day! Planning ahead is super important because most parties, rooftops, and restaurants sell out quickly, and prices, of course, are not cheap. So be sure to plan or opt for some cost-free options, like celebrating in Central Park!

Want to save even more in New York? Download the guide with a ready-made itinerary broken down by region for New York!

If you want to explore New York in the best way, check out the NY & About Guide, packed with tips on restaurants, attractions, and off-the-beaten-path places to visit! The guide has a detailed itinerary separated by region and everything you need to make the most of the city. All the material was developed by me and is now in its third edition!

Liked the idea? Don’t wait to get your guide now! I’m sure it will be an excellent travel companion.

Click here to download the e-book version.

Click here to buy the printed version on Amazon.

Don’t forget that you can follow more about New York on my Instagram, which is @marthasachser, and my YouTube channel, which is here! If you have a trip planned to New York, be sure to join the blog’s NYC tips group on Facebook HERE! And if you prefer, we also have NYC tips groups on Telegram and WhatsApp! To buy my New York guide and save even more time and money, click HERE!