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A city dressed in lights, suburban houses completely transformed, ice rinks, Christmas markets filled with crafts and mouth-watering smells… That’s what we were eagerly hoping for! And yet we never expected it on such a scale. The magic of Christmas in New York is all that and more!
In the streets, the shops, the monuments… There are lights, giant nutcrackers, candy canes, festive wreaths and Christmas trees on every street corner. We know Americans tend to go a bit over the top, and this may be further proof, but we absolutely loved being swept away by the festive atmosphere.
We arrived on 29 December for 8 days in New York, just in time to enjoy the decorations… but a little too late for some of the festivities! Here are our must-sees for Christmas in New York in December, along with the tips we wish we’d had before we left.
Christmas in New York at a glance
| 🎄 In brief | ✨ What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Best time to go | From early December to 24 December, when all the festivities are in full swing |
| Rockefeller Center tree | Lit on 2 December 2026, on display until around mid-January |
| Christmas markets | Bryant Park, Union Square and Grand Central, from November to late December (Bryant Park until 3 January) |
| Ice rinks | Bryant Park (free admission), Rockefeller Center and Wollman Rink in Central Park (paid) |
| Dyker Heights | Houses lit up from late November to 31 December, from dusk until around 10 pm |
| Weather | Around 6 °C during the day and close to 0 °C at night, with darkness falling around 4.30 pm |
| Our tip | Arrive before Christmas: after the 25th, many markets close and some decorations come down |
Must-sees for Christmas in New York
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
It’s THE symbol of Christmas in New York. The giant Rockefeller Center tree towers above the famous ice rink, watched over by the golden statue of Prometheus. In 2026, it will be lit on 2 December during a ceremony broadcast on American television, and will stay lit until around mid-January.
Don’t stop at the tree: the Channel Gardens walkway, on the Fifth Avenue side, is lined with illuminated angels, and nutcracker soldiers stand guard over the plaza. Right next door, the façade of Radio City Music Hall and its tree are also worth a look. This is where the Rockettes perform the Christmas Spectacular, New York’s big Christmas show, from mid-November to early January.
💡 Good to know
The Rockefeller Center gets packed in the evening, especially at weekends and between Christmas and New Year. To enjoy the tree without elbowing your way through, come early in the morning or on a weekday. On the night of the lighting, the crowds are so big that access is very restricted: you’re better off going in the following days.
The giant decorations on Sixth Avenue
A stone’s throw from the Rockefeller Center, Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) pulls out all the stops: giant red baubles set in a fountain, nutcrackers several metres tall at the foot of the skyscrapers, and even a little train. It’s a bit kitsch, very American, and we loved it!
The Christmas window displays
Window shopping in New York in December is a real show. The department stores on Fifth Avenue, led by Saks Fifth Avenue and its light show on the façade, and Macy’s in Herald Square compete with their displays. But the smaller shops aren’t outdone: we spent ages in front of the wreaths, the elves and the chocolatiers’ windows.
Bryant Park and the New York Public Library
Bryant Park turns into a winter village (the Bank of America Winter Village) with its tree, ice rink and Christmas market. Right next door, the lions of the New York Public Library wear their Christmas wreaths, and a huge tree lights up the library entrance. The two are easy to visit together.
Grand Central Terminal
Even New York’s most famous station gets into the Christmas spirit: giant wreaths adorn its great windows and, in Vanderbilt Hall, an indoor Christmas market is held every year, very handy when it’s cold outside.
Dyker Heights, the neighbourhood of illuminated houses
I’d found several blogs mentioning this Brooklyn neighbourhood, where the houses are decorated just like the ones you see in films. Arriving on 29 December, we were afraid the decorations would already be gone, so we headed straight there. Not at all! A few stops before ours, the subway runs above ground and you can already spot the houses in the distance. What a sight! Our trip was off to a great start!
Inflatable Santas, illuminated reindeer, life-size nativity scenes, façades entirely covered in fairy lights… Some residents even hire professionals to decorate their homes. Once again, pictures speak louder than words!
One small downside: we were a little disappointed, as we expected to see even more. Perhaps, as with the other Christmas festivities, some residents take their decorations down early, so we only saw part of it…
💡 How to get to Dyker Heights
Take the D train to 18 Av, or the R train to 86 St, then allow 15 to 20 minutes on foot. The best lights are between 11th and 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th Streets (84th Street is the most spectacular). The houses light up at dusk, around 4.30-5 pm, until around 10 pm, from late November to 31 December. Guided bus tours leave from Manhattan, but they don’t usually run on 24, 25 and 31 December.
Ice skating in New York
Skating in New York in December is the ultimate cliché… and there are several options. The Rockefeller Center rink is tiny and very crowded. It’s also the most expensive, with time slots to book. The queue at Wollman Rink in Central Park didn’t make us want to hang around either! Can you see it? Go on a weekday, and probably not between Christmas and New Year…
Our top tip: the Bryant Park Winter Village rink, which is free if you bring your own skates (skate hire is extra). It’s open until the end of February.
The Christmas markets
There are several: Bryant Park, Union Square and Grand Central are the main ones. Most of them had already closed by the time we arrived. Luckily, not the one in Bryant Park! The stalls are varied: you’ll mostly find crafts, decorations and food. Christmas decorations are absurdly expensive ($20 each!), but it’s a lovely stroll, and it smells wonderful!
Our one regret: no eggnog sellers, and we really wanted to try it. Maybe because of the strong alcohol? If anyone knows, do enlighten us 🙂 Instead, hot cider and hot chocolate reigned supreme.
💡 Christmas market dates
The Union Square market usually runs from mid-November to 24 December, as does the Grand Central Holiday Fair. The Bryant Park market opens as early as late October and stays open until 3 January 2027. Check the exact dates on the official websites before you go.
Christmas in every neighbourhood
What struck us most is that Christmas really is everywhere. The Wall Street tree in front of the Stock Exchange lit up in blue, the decorations at Chelsea Market, a fire station decked out in fairy lights, illuminated trees at the foot of the skyscrapers, Christmas trees near Brooklyn Bridge… A new surprise around every corner!
When to go to New York for Christmas?
If you want to see it all, go between early and mid-December, or at least before the 25th. That’s when everything is running: markets, trees, window displays, the Dyker Heights houses and the Radio City show. It’s also the busiest and most expensive period, so book your flights and hotel early.
Between Christmas and New Year, like us, the atmosphere is still there: the trees and most of the decorations stay up. However, many markets close on 24 December, or even earlier, and some houses start taking their decorations down. And if you’re staying until the 31st, don’t miss our article on New Year’s Eve in New York!
New York in December: weather and practical tips
It’s cold in New York in December: around 6 °C during the day and close to 0 °C at night, with a wind that can be icy between the skyscrapers. Snow is possible, especially later in the month. Pack a warm coat, a hat, gloves and good shoes: you’ll walk a lot!
Darkness falls around 4.30 pm, which is actually good news for enjoying the lights from late afternoon. Don’t forget to warm up in our favourite places to eat in New York, and if you have a little time, get off the beaten track with our offbeat New York guide.
Our thoughts on Christmas in New York
Even though Dyker Heights left us wanting more, the decorations all over the city truly delighted us and swept us away into the magic of Christmas 🙂 I’ve spent Christmas in Brazil, Portugal and Germany, but New York is in a league of its own!
Would you like to spend Christmas in New York? Have you already done it? Tell us all about it in the comments!
FAQ: Christmas in New York
The frequently asked questions are here!
What to do in New York in December?
See the Rockefeller Center tree, stroll past the Fifth Avenue window displays, go skating in Bryant Park or Central Park, browse the Christmas markets in Bryant Park, Union Square and Grand Central, and discover the illuminated houses of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn.
When is the Rockefeller Center tree lit?
In 2026, the Rockefeller Center tree will be lit on Wednesday 2 December. It then stays lit until around mid-January.
When is the best time to see Christmas in New York?
Between early December and 24 December, when all the festivities are on. After Christmas, the trees and most decorations stay up, but many markets have closed.
Where to see the best Christmas lights in New York?
At the Rockefeller Center, on Fifth and Sixth Avenues, in Bryant Park and above all in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, where the houses are decorated like in Christmas films.
How to get to Dyker Heights?
Take the D train to 18 Av or the R train to 86 St, then walk for 15 to 20 minutes. The best houses are between 11th and 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th Streets.
Where to go ice skating in New York at Christmas?
At the Rockefeller Center (a small, expensive and very busy rink), at Wollman Rink in Central Park, or in Bryant Park, where admission is free if you bring your own skates.
What is the weather like in New York in December?
It’s cold: around 6 °C during the day and close to 0 °C at night, sometimes with snow. Pack warm clothes and good shoes.
