Christmas in New York runs from early November to early January. The best NYC Christmas things to do are close together in Midtown: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, the Fifth Avenue windows, the Rockettes at Radio City and the holiday shops in Bryant Park.
The best time for a New York Christmas trip is the first 2 weeks of December. Everything is open and lit, and Christmas in New York City is less crowded and cheaper than in Christmas week.
Christmas in New York 2026: key dates
| Event | 2026 dates |
|---|---|
| Bryant Park Winter Village holiday shops | October 28 – January 3, 2027 |
| Radio City Christmas Spectacular | November 4 – January 4, 2027 |
| Rockefeller Center tree arrives | Around November 7 |
| Saks Fifth Avenue windows and light show | From November 23 |
| Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | November 26 |
| Dyker Heights lights | From the weekend after Thanksgiving |
| Rockefeller Center tree lighting | Wednesday, December 2 (tree stays up through January 9) |
| Times Square ball drop | December 31, 11:59 PM |
Most Christmas decorations in New York go up in November. Bryant Park opens in late October, the big store windows are unveiled in the second half of November, and the city looks fully decorated by the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Where is the Christmas tree in New York?
The big Christmas tree in New York is at Rockefeller Center, on Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, above the ice rink. The nearest subway stop is 47–50 Streets–Rockefeller Center.
The tree usually arrives in early November, around November 7 this year, and spends a few weeks covered in scaffolding while crews add the lights. It’s lit on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, in a televised ceremony, and stays up through January 9, 2027. Seeing it is free.
Go early in the morning or after 10 PM for the shortest lines. On the night of the lighting, the area is closed off and packed, so most visitors come on another evening.
Best things to do for Christmas in NYC
1. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
Stand by the Channel Gardens on Fifth Avenue for the classic view of the tree above the skaters. Pair it with the lit-up angels in the gardens and the window displays across the street.
2. Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue light show and the holiday windows
Saks, across Fifth Avenue from the tree, unveils its windows and light show on November 23, 2026. Last season the light show ran every 10 minutes in the evening. Walk Fifth Avenue between 49th and 59th Streets to see several stores’ windows in 1 trip.
3. Go to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall from November 4, 2026, to January 4, 2027, with 230 shows, the most ever. The show is 90 minutes with no intermission, and tickets are required for anyone 2 and older.
4. Skate and shop at Bryant Park Winter Village
Bryant Park has about 180 holiday shop kiosks, open daily through January 3, 2027, and the only free-admission ice rink in Manhattan. Skate rental costs extra, and you can book a skating time online. It’s also 1 of the best Christmas markets in the US.
5. Drive or walk the Dyker Heights lights in Brooklyn
Homeowners in Dyker Heights cover their houses with huge light displays, from the weekend after Thanksgiving into early January. The best streets are between 11th and 13th Avenues and 83rd and 86th Streets. It’s free, but it’s about an hour from Midtown by subway and a walk, so many visitors book a bus tour.
Free things to do for Christmas in New York City
- The Rockefeller Center tree
- The Fifth Avenue holiday windows and the Saks light show
- Bryant Park’s holiday shops and rink admission (bring your own skates to skate for free)
- The Dyker Heights lights
- Watching the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving morning
- The Times Square ball drop on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve in New York
The Christmas season ends with the Times Square ball drop at 11:59 PM on December 31. Watching from the street is free, but viewing pens fill by mid-afternoon, there are no public restrooms, and once you leave your spot you can’t get back in. A dinner party with a view of the ball is the easier option.
For other cities with big countdowns, see the best places for New Year’s Eve in the US.
Christmas in NYC for families, teens, couples and solo travelers
- Families with young kids: the Rockettes, the Rockefeller tree in the morning and skating at Bryant Park
- Teens: the Dyker Heights lights, the Saks light show and holiday shopping on Fifth Avenue
- Couples: an evening walk from the tree to Bryant Park, a holiday drink at a hotel bar and a carriage ride in Central Park
- Solo travelers: the markets, the windows and a Broadway show; Midtown stays busy and well lit until late
Where to stay for Christmas in New York
Stay in Midtown to walk to the tree, the windows, Radio City and Bryant Park. Lower Manhattan is usually a little cheaper and a short subway ride away. December is the most expensive month for New York hotels, so book early; our guide to where to stay in NYC compares every area.
What a New York holiday trip costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Daily budget | $150 or more a day, before flights |
| Subway ride | $3.00, with a weekly cap of $35 after 12 rides |
| Rockettes tickets | Varies by date and seat; highest close to Christmas |
| Tree, windows, markets, ball drop | Free |
Getting around in winter
The subway is the fastest way around. Tap a contactless card or phone at the turnstile: each ride is $3.00, and after 12 rides in 7 days the rest are free. Wear warm, waterproof shoes, because you’ll walk a lot between sights.
FAQ
At Rockefeller Center, on Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, above the ice rink.
The tree arrives in early November, around November 7 in 2026. It’s lit on Wednesday, December 2, and stays up through January 9, 2027.
Through November. Bryant Park’s holiday shops open in late October, the Saks windows are unveiled on November 23, and the city is fully decorated by the weekend after Thanksgiving.
The first 2 weeks of December. The tree is lit from December 2, every window and market is open, and it’s less crowded than Christmas week.
The Rockefeller tree, the Fifth Avenue windows, the Saks light show, Bryant Park’s holiday shops and the Dyker Heights lights.
Final takeaway
For Christmas in New York, plan 3 days in early December: the tree and windows on day 1, the Rockettes and Bryant Park on day 2, and Dyker Heights on day 3. For more holiday trip ideas, see the best places to travel in December.
Sources: Rockefeller Center · Playbill: Christmas Spectacular 2026 · Time Out: Saks light show 2026 · 6sqft: Bryant Park Winter Village
