It’s already December and now it’s official: Christmas is coming! I don’t know about you, but I just love this time of year. And if you’re traveling to New York during this time, get ready: the city is magical! Christmas decoration is something taken seriously here. To help you in the Christmas itinerary, I highlight the following attractions that can not be left out of your script!
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – tree lighting ceremony was last week and this is an iconic symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree remains lit through January 7.
The Rockettes – The Rockettes high-kick their way into the festive season, as the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes returns November 10–January 1. The production dazzles audiences with extravagant costumes and fan favorites. Buy tickets.
Winter Garden at Brookfield Place – the annual Brookfield Luminaries experience in the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place is reimagined. From 8am–10pm daily, visitors can “send” a wish from one of three stations to the canopy of hundreds of lanterns above, transforming the wish into a mesmerizing display of colors. Through January 5.
16th Annual Holiday Train Show – The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store at Grand Central Terminal is back with its 16th Annual Holiday Train Show. Lionel trains travel through a two-level, 34-foot- long miniature New York City and countryside scene. Vintage trains from the museum’s collection travel to the diorama’s North Pole through February 4.
Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton presents Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton – through January 7 – at the former American Stock Exchange building in Lower Manhattan. Curated by Olivier Saillard and designed by Robert Carsen, the free exhibit retraces the adventure of the House of Louis Vuitton from 1854 to the present. One of the show’s 10 chapters is entirely devoted to the United States and New York City. Get your ticket here.
ELF The Musical – Holiday favorite ELF The Musical is in performance at the Theater at Madison Square Garden for a limited engagement. Back by popular demand, the production runs December 13–29. Tickets here.
The Exhibit of the Crèche – The Metropolitan Museum of Art once again lights a 20-foot blue spruce above an 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene, in the museum’s Medieval Sculpture Hall. The Exhibit of the Crèche is a long-standing holiday highlight for New Yorkers and global visitors and is available to view through January 7.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker – The New York City Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, one of the most beloved and anticipated holiday classics, thorugh December 31 Lincoln Center. Buy tickets..
Ice skating rinks and Christmas Markets – this time of year is perfect for … ice skating! New York has many skating rinks and the classic ones are located in Central Park, Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center. You can click here and check all the details. In addition, you should also explore the Christmas markets, which have options for gifts, souvenirs and, of course, many delicious foods! Click here to learn more.
Dyker Heights Christimas Lights – Dyker Heights, in Brooklyn, is famous for the super-decorated homes at Christmas season. There are thousands of colorful lights and dolls in various homes, lighting the streets and attracting various tourists to the region. The tradition began in 1986 and now the place attracts about 100,000 tourists each year who visit the neighborhood to check out this decoration extravaganza. Click here to learn more.
The Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science is open from November 11 to January 14. Hopeful for the fifth straight title of Largest Gingerbread Village from Guinness World Records, over 1,000 handmade gingerbread houses and structures are on display (nysci.org).
Did you like these tips? If you are looking for restaurants, check out Open Table list!
Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.
