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Christmas in New York City (NYC) is an experience you should have at least once in your lifetime. With a fresh coat of snow, the city becomes a winter wonderland in cold temperatures. The crowds melt away during this season, and except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the city feels less busy and hectic. From ice skating experiences to lit-up gardens and Broadway shows, one can do plenty of things in “The Big Apple” from November to February.
Here’s what to do and how to get around New York City in the winter.
Ice skating on The Rink under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is one of New York’s quintessential winter activities. First made available to the public on Christmas Day in 1936, The Rink has played host to famous figures like Truman Capote, Ethel Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, Serena Williams and Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi. Mornings and late evenings are the best times to take a turn on the ice, with skaters guaranteed 40-60 minutes on The Rink from the entry time on their ticket.
If you want to skip the long queues here, consider the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. This 17,000-square-foot rink features free-admission ice skating, high-quality rental skates, free skating shows and events. The Wollman Rink of Central Park is another alternative, offering skate rentals, lessons and a festive atmosphere that embodies the spirit of the season.
Framed perfectly inside Washington Square Park’s famous arch, its Christmas tree is annually lit up in the first or second week of December. The tree-lighting ceremony includes musical acts and even a visit by Santa Claus himself. If you miss this showpiece event, you can still see the 45-foot tree throughout the holiday season, usually from 4PM to 1AM daily. Don’t miss the carolling on Christmas Eve at 5PM.
Every year, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden organises “Lightscape,” an after-dark, illuminated trail that takes visitors on an otherworldly nighttime journey through light-splashed landscapes and luminous installations. The event is a lot of fun as people explore the grounds under the moonlight while enjoying seasonal treats and festive music.
Enter a winter wonderland unlike any other at New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) “Holiday Train Show.” At this annual event, the timeless holiday magic of rail travel fills the place with nostalgia as model locomotives and trolleys trundle through picture-perfect outdoor lawn display and bring the Enid A Haupt Conservatory to life. At the NYBG glasshouse, you’ll find twinkling, plant-based replicas of famed local architecture, creating a cityscape in miniature. After dark, you will witness “Holiday Train Nights,” where colourful lighting brings the holiday spirit to life under glass. Bop along to holiday classics and Christmas pop favourites sung by performers in the Locomotive Lounge. There is plenty to eat too, from sweet and savoury bites to spiked cider cocktails and mocktails.
You don’t have to brave the cold outside when you can be warm and cosy inside in the company of amazing artworks and artefacts from all over the world. Head to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the International Center of Photography Museum, the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, the Hauser and Wirth art gallery, and the David Zwirner gallery, for a day of learning and awe.
America’s theatrical heart is undoubtedly Broadway in New York City. It is the oldest north-south thoroughfare in town and has relatively small theatres where the world's most talented actors, singers, musicians and dancers perform to the delight of audiences. In order to be considered a Broadway theatre, there must be 500 or more seats (a theatre in Manhattan with less than 500 seats is considered Off-Broadway). There are currently 41 theatres in New York City that qualify as Broadway theatres. The vast majority of shows play eight performances every week during their run. Get tickets to “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Hamilton,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Aladdin,” “Sunset Blvd,” “Moulin Rouge,” “The Book of Mormon,” and more from the Broadway or Playbill websites.
On a crowded day in New York City, there’s nothing better than finding a quiet bookstore to get lost in. A good book, along with some delicious hot chocolate, is really all you need to feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle. Visit Kinokuniya New York, the Argosy Book Store, The Strand, the Book Club Bar, the Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore, Albertine, Book Off New York, McNally Jackson in SoHo, the Mysterious Bookshop and the Rizzoli Bookstore, to name a few, for an afternoon of browsing and wonder.
The bus and subway are best for getting around the city during the holiday season, though cabs, cars and bikes are all good options too. For those who prefer travelling by car, consider using Uber and Lyft. Keep in mind that surge pricing and availability can be issues at peak travel times, especially on the weekends. Revel has a fleet of distinctive electric blue vehicles and electric mopeds. You can also cycle the city with Citi Bike.
Remember to dress warmly during your time in New York City. Bring light, easily packable layers that you can shed and stash in your purse or backpack as you need to, along with a hat, scarf and gloves to protect against the wind. Wear sturdy and warm shoes. Remember that many businesses will likely have limited hours or even be closed during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Avoid Times Square altogether on December 31 during the New Year Eve celebrations.
There are direct flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
