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Can’t-Miss NYC Holiday Things to Do in 2023

NYCTourism.com Staff 11/17/2023

Christmas Tree at Seaport. Photo: Matthew Penrod

Once Santa makes his way down Fifth Avenue during the Thanksgiving Day Parade, the holiday season is alive in NYC. The City puts on its party clothes, with choreographed light shows, pop-up winter wonderlands, incredible window displays and, of course, moving celebrations of the season through music and performance.

Read on for our comprehensive guide to the holidays in the City—and discover old favorites and new traditions.

Festivals and Parades

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Herald Square, Midtown, Manhattan

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo: Julienne Schaer

1. Wave to the floats and marchers at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Watch Snoopy and SpongeBob make their way down to 34th Street as the holiday season kicks off at the

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

.
November 23

Courtesy, Jewish Children’s Museum

2. Bring the kids to the Hanukkah Family Festival at the Jewish Children’s Museum
Take the whole family to celebrate the festival of lights at the

Jewish Children’s Museum

. Join Hanukkah-themed workshops, decorate a doughnut and learn how olive oil is made.
Dates to be announced (Hanukkah is December 7–15)

New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. Photo:Michael Hull

3. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Have a rockin’ time

ringing in the new year

in Times Square while waiting for the ball drop at one of the most famous parties in the world.
December 31

Three Kings Day Parade, East Harlem, Manhattan

Three Kings Day Parade. Photo: Tagger Yancey IV

4. Join El Museo del Barrio’s Three Kings Day Parade
Wind up the holiday season at

El Museo del Barrio’s Three Kings Day Parade

with puppets, camels, music and other festive features.
January 6

Performances

5. Join the fun with the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center
Head to the big top, or in this case Lincoln Center, for a night of acrobatics, aerial feats and juggling by the

Big Apple Circus

.
November 8–January 1

6. Soothe yourself with the Candlelight Series’ holiday performances
This

popular concert program

presents performances for the holidays like Holiday Soul and Jazz and the Holiday Special Featuring The Nutcracker, held at the Opera House, various churches and other venues across the City.
November 10–January 26

Radio City Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall, Midtown, Manhattan

Radio City Rockettes. Courtesy, MSG

7. Get into the spirit by seeing the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Catch the iconic

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

with the high-kicking Rockettes.
November 17–January 1

George Balanchine, The Nutcracker dancers at Lincoln Center, NYC

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Photo: Paul Kolnik

8. Embrace a classic at George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Make it a night to remember at Lincoln Center by catching the New York City Ballet’s holiday staple,

The Nutcracker

.
November 24–December 31

9. Continue a tradition with a showing of A Christmas Carol, The Musical
This

Off-Broadway family-friendly production

returns for its 15th year, setting Charles Dickens’ famous story about one miserly man named Ebenezer Scrooge to music.
November 26–December 30

Dancers performing at Alvin Ailey's Revelations

Solomon Dumas, Khalia Campbell and Samantha Figgins in Alvin Ailey's Revelations. Photo: Paul Kolnik

10. Get Inspired by Holidays at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Dive into the beloved

dance theater’s winter programming

for its 65th season, which features world premieres and an updated take on Ailey classics.
November 29–December 31

Courtesy, New York Philarmonic

11. Celebrate the Holidays with the New York Philharmonic

Holidays at the NY Phil

returns with classic programming like Handel’s Messiah, featuring the instantly recognizable “Hallelujah” chorus, as well as the festive Holiday Brass concert and a production of Marvel’s Black Panther in concert.
December 6–23

12. Don't miss The Christmas Show at St. George Theatre
Catch the 20th anniversary of

the annual Christmas Show

; watch as Grandma reads a storybook that transports you on a journey from the North Pole to Times Square, with holiday sounds peppered throughout.
December 8–10

Courtesy, The Met Opera

13. Welcome back The Magic Flute to the The Met Opera
Bring the family to the abridged version of Mozart’s

The Magic Flute

, a fairytale that comes to life every holiday season at

The Met Opera

.
December 8–30

14. Cheer for the biggest names in mainstream pop at iHeart Radio’s Jingle Ball
Music stars come together for this

holiday celebration at Madison Square Garden

, featuring artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, SZA and OneRepublic.
December 8

15. Root for your favorites at the Amateur Night Holiday Special at the Apollo
Watch up-and-comers pay homage to

Apollo Theater

legends in

this holiday installment

of the theater’s longtime series.
December 9

Courtesy, The Apollo

16. Experience the Apollo’s Winter Wonderland
Take a picture with Santa under the famous Apollo Theater marquee during the

Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland

; festivities include a toy and book drive and live performances.
December 9

Performance of the nutcracker with children on stage

The Brooklyn Nutcracker. Photo: Kyle Froman

17. Find a twist on tradition with The Brooklyn Nutcracker at Kings Theatre
It's in with the new at

The Brooklyn Nutcracker

by the Brooklyn Ballet, which offers a reimagined take on the classic with hip-hop, ballet and world dance.
December 16

Courtesy, Queens Farm

18. Bundle up for O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi at Queens County Farm Cozy up to a holiday favorite with this reading of

The Gift of the Magi

presented right on the farm’s pasture (dress warmly!).
December 16

Jasmine La Beija. Photo: Diego Quintanar

19. Enjoy a holiday concert at the Guggenheim Museum
This

annual event

rings through the rotunda of the

Guggenheim

with musical acts Charles Turner & Uptown Swing as well as singer Jasmine Rice LaBeija.
December 17

20. Witness Mariah Carey belt her most famous holiday tunes
At Madison Square Garden, the legend behind “All I Want for Christmas” performs in all her seasonal glory as part of her

Merry Christmas One and All! tour.

December 17

21. Have the Best Christmas of All with Norm Lewis at Carnegie Hall
Tony Award–winner Norm Lewis joins the New York Pops for

this annual musical tradition

full of holiday favorites.
December 22–23

Kwanzaa at the Apollo. Courtesy, Apollo Theater

22. Enjoy Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration at the Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater’s

family-friendly Kwanzaa festivities return,

with performances by the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, in celebration of the guiding tenets of Kwanzaa.
December 30

Exhibits

23. Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at The Met Fifth Avenue
Marvel at

The Met’s

20-foot blue spruce Christmas tree and 18th-century nativity scene in the Medieval Sculpture Hall.
Dates to be announced

24. Head to the Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden

Discover your favorite NYC landmarks

—made from natural materials like bark, twigs and leaves—while watching model trains zip through almost half a mile of track right inside the garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
November 17–January 15

Courtesy, AMNH

25. The Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History
A beloved tradition at the museum,

this year’s Origami Holiday Tree

is dedicated to elephants, with over 1,000 handmade folded paper models on this 13-foot-tall display.
November 21–TBA

A Christmas Carol: The Manuscript. Photo: Janny Chiu

26. A Christmas Carol: The Manuscript at The Morgan Library & Museum
In an annual tradition, the Morgan Library will turn to page 7 of Charles Dickens’ original manuscript of

A Christmas Carol

for this year’s exhibition of the work.
November 21–January 7

Courtesy, New York Historical Society

27. The Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection at the New-York Historical Society
Seek inspiration from the past for your own holiday train display at

this seasonal exhibit showcasing vintage toy trains

from the 1850s to 1940s, as well as elaborate American and European train station models, all handcrafted and hand painted.
November 24–February 4

Courtesy, Historic Richmond Town

28. Spend Christmas in Historic Richmond Town
Experience a 19th-century

Christmas at Staten Island’s preserved village,

where you can walk around to see shops like the general store or watch an artisan at work. Holiday programming includes horse-drawn carriages and candlelit tours.
Dates to be announced

29. Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Learn the seven principles of Kwanzaa through art, workshops, dance and musical performances at the

City’s largest annual celebration of this cultural holiday

, produced by the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation.
December 26–December 30
Link to event TBA

30. Inspire your sweet tooth at Gingerbread Lane
Visit the world’s largest gingerbread village at

Gingerbread Lane in Essex Market

.
Dates to be announced.

Lightings and Light Displays

Courtesy, Brookfield Place

31. Immerse yourself in Brookfield Place’s holiday programming
Situated right on the water is Brookfield Place and its famous winter garden, which brings the City its annual Luminaries light installation featuring

choreographed shows along with winter favorites

like waterfront ice-skating and holiday performances.
Dates to be announced

32. Hop on the ferry to Governors Island Winter Village
Head from Lower Manhattan or waterfront Brooklyn to

Governors Island

, where historic Colonels Row houses serve as the backdrop to the island’s Winter Village, complete with sledding, skating, lawn games, fire pits and seasonal bites.
Dates to be announced

33. Marvel at the lights of “Shine Bright” at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards welcomes the winter with

Shine Bright,

a holiday display illuminated by 2 million white lights and a hot air balloon suspended from the ceiling. Check their website for other upcoming holiday events.
November 13

Photo: Will Steacy

34. Head to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Whether it’s your first stop or the grand finale of your holiday visit to the City,

the tree at Rockefeller Center

is a

must visit

.
November 29—January 13

Christmas tree, The Seaport. Photo: Matthew Penrod

35. Watch the Seaport transform for the holidays
See the

Seaport’s

Rooftop at Pier 17 become

Santa’s headquarters

at the North Pole, with ice-skating, seasonal treats and a photo op in Santa’s own comfy chair.
November 22–January 7

Courtesy, Queens County Farm Museum

36. Walk through Illuminate the Farm at Queens County Farm Museum
Visit the

Queens County Farm for a lantern festival

with handcrafted pieces that tell the stories of various Chinese myths and legends.
November 17–January 7

Courtesy, Brooklyn Botanical Garden

37. Head to Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Walk through the

mile-long pathway at Lightscape

, which has 1 million glittering lights, art installations and even an illuminated tunnel with a cathedral-style top.
November 17–January 1

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Photo: Julie Larsen

38. Watch as the Bronx Zoo transforms with holiday lights
The

zoo's holiday light display

features glowing animal lanterns and light shows.
November 17–January 7

Glow. Courtesy, NYBG

39. Marvel at the New York Botanical Garden’s Glow
Have an evening of live entertainment, hot cocoa and festive holiday light displays at

NYBG Glow

, an installation that spans the historic buildings and landscapes of the New York Botanical Garden.
November 17–January 13

Astra Lumina. Photo: Moment Factory

40. Go on a journey with the Astra Lumina walk at Queens Botanical Garden
The stars fall down to earth in this

mile-long celestial light display

within the Queens Botanical Garden.
November 24–December 31

Grand Army Plaza. Photo: Billy Hickey

41. Gather for the lighting of the largest menorah(s)
You've got eight nights (and days) of Hanukkah for a Grand Army Plaza menorah

lighting in Brooklyn or Manhattan

.
December 7–15

Activities

42. Sample Arthur Avenue’s holiday treats
Visit

Arthur Avenue in the Bronx

for some authentic and old-school Italian holiday cookies and pastries from shops like

Artuso’s

Egidio’s

.
Ongoing, though some items seasonal

43. Browse the City’s holiday markets
By November, the City’s holiday markets are in full swing. For fun decor, stocking stuffers, warm ciders and a classic holiday market experience, there’s the

Union Square Holiday Market

, the Holiday Shops at

Bryant Park’s Winter Village

and the

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

. For a more eclectic shopping experience, hit

Chelsea Flea

Brooklyn Flea

or the

Grand Holiday Bazaar

.
Dates vary, though generally early November through December 24

44. Marvel at the window displays on Fifth Avenue
Have yourself a merry little NYC day walking from Rockefeller Center to The Plaza Hotel, right across from Central Park. Take Fifth Avenue to see the holiday window displays at beloved stores like

Saks Fifth Avenue,

Tiffany’s

and

Cartier

.
Dates vary, usually mid-November to end of the year

Courtesy, The Plaza - A Fairmont Managed Hotel

45. Sit down for Holiday Tea at The Plaza Hotel
If you’re looking to re-create that movie magic of the holidays in New York City,

The Plaza Hotel

should be on your list, featuring holiday activities like a festive afternoon tea in

The Palm Court

.
Afternoon Tea Menu available November 1 to December 31.

46. Take a Holiday Cruise on New York Harbor
A tour around the

harbor on a themed cruise

(Holiday Jazz, Cocoa and Carols) shows you the city sights while you sit or stand aboard a beautiful wood-paneled, 1920s-inspired yacht—decorated for the season.
Starting November 15

Courtesy, On Location Tours

47. Witness the silver screen come to life at the Holiday Lights & Movie Sites tour
Take in the sights from beloved holiday movies set in New York City on

this themed tour.

Head to locations like Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park’s Winter Village to celebrate films like Elf, Eloise at Christmastime or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
November 25–January 2

Courtesy, Wave Hill

48. Take the Holiday Wreath Workshop at Wave Hill
Welcome the holidays to your door with a wreath you made yourself at

Wave Hill

. Learn techniques and designs from the pros during

this crafty weekend

or simply buy one at the Artisan Market on December 1 and 2 .
December 1–3

People ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park

Wollman Rink. Photo: Billy Hickey

49. Hit the ice…
Explore the many rinks across the City, including ones in Cenral Park, Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center. Find all your options in handy

guide to skating around the City

.
Dates vary (most run from November

50. …And the Beach!
Dive into 2024 with the

Coney Island Polar Plunge

—or just watch from a safe distance.
January 1