[Editor’s note: For our 2015 guide to tree lightings across the city, click HERE.]
O, Tannenbaum! Enjoy some of New York’s biggest and most bedazzled holiday greenery.
American Museum of Natural History: This year’s Origami Holiday Tree will boast more than 1,000 volunteer-folded creations celebrating Mighty and Microscopic Life. On display through 1/10/2016
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park: Covered in tens of thousands of sparkling lights, this massive spruce tree looks out over the Village’s 170-ft by 100-ft skating rink. On display
Dante Park at Lincoln Square: This 27-ft Concolor Fir hails from Domes Tree Farm in Bliss, NY, and features ornaments that symbolize world peace created by local students, architects, and artisans. On display through January 2016
Madison Square Park: The Christmas tree in Madison Square Park is a tradition that dates back over a century! This year’s lighting ceremony will be held from 3:30-5:30pm, and feature a line-up of kid-friendly performers including Audra Rox and the Sing for Hope Youth Chorus. Lighting 12/8
Metropolitan Museum: Located in the Medieval Sculpture Hall, the boughs of this 20-ft tall blue spruce are hung with 18th-century Neapolitan angels and cherubs. Stop by the Museum’s Met Fridays: Revel in the Season event on 12/18 for musical performances and more. On display through 1/6/2016
Washington Square Park: Coming up on Wednesday, December 9 at 6pm, this tree lighting features a performance by the Rob Sussman Brass Quartet, an appearance by Santa Claus, and a holiday singalong under the arch. 12/9
Rockefeller Center: Weighing in at about 10 tons, this 78-ft Norway spruce from Ulster County, NY, is bedecked with more than five miles of lights and a Swarovski Crystal star. On display through 1/6/2016
Take in the extravagant holiday displays at some of the city’s most iconic department stores.
Barneys: You’ll love “Chillin’’ Out” in front of Barneys’ holiday windows, which celebrate all things icy! Two of the displays are actually walk-in freezers, which display the work of ice carvers making winter-themed ice sculptures, and the others include an Ice Castle display, an Arctic Chase filled with crystal covered penguins racing around a track, and a Winter Brilliance display filled with 700+ hand-blown glass elements.
Bergdorf Goodman: Bergdorf Goodman ensures your holiday will be filled with sparkles when you stop by this years “Brilliant” window display. Highlights of these glittering windows include a vibrant fortune teller booth, hidden gems, a royal queen accompanied by life-sized lions and crystallized suits of armor, deep sea treasures, and a sparkling birthday party, on a backdrop of millions of Swarovski crystals.
Bloomingdale’s: Reflect on every touching and memorable holiday moment that you have experienced through your senses! Through a partnership with renowned florist Jeff Leatham, the Bloomingdale’s windows have been filled with interactive action elements, ornate floral displays, and Leatham’s iconic mirror-faceted sculptures which are designed to engage all five senses.
Henri Bendel: Enjoy a “Very Henri Holiday” with a retrospective of Bendel’s longtime fashion illustrator Izak Zenou. His “Bendel girl” drawings will take over the store’s windows, with the main window drawing inspiration from a Parisian-style apartment.
Lord & Taylor: This year’s sweet “A Few of my Favorite Things” display includes a gingerbread kingdom, a sweets factory, a holiday countdown, and a cuckoo clock.
Macy’s: To mark the 50th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Macy’s Herald Square flagship is displaying “Peanuts”-themed windows, featuring animated scenes from the beloved television special.
Saks Fifth Avenue: See the Empress of China presiding over her “Great Wintery Wall” and an Icy Mermaid in the “Frozen Brrrier Reef” at Saks’ “Winter Palace on Fifth.” The building façade will sparkle with 225,000 lights, 225,000 crystals, and an elaborate theatrical light show.
Tiffany’s: This year’s “Heritage of Luxury” windows, inspired by miniature theaters of the 19th Century, include wintry scenes like a snow-covered palace and a white stag surrounded by fir trees and treasures.
Soak up some of the season’s sparkle at these glittering light displays.
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn: Tour company A Slice of Brooklyn offers bus tours of this South Brooklyn neighborhood’s crazy “Dyker Lights” displays every night in December (except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) that depart from Union Square. Through 12/31
Garabedian Family House: Each year, this Pelham Gardens, Bronx, family decorates their front lawn with more than 100 figures from pop culture—from Disney characters to Elvis—which groove to holiday music.
New York Botanical Garden: Explore the Garden’s wondrous Holiday Train Show—featuring more than 150 scaled iconic buildings and more model trains than ever before—under thousands of glittering holiday lights. Through 1/18/2016
Santa’s Corner: Each year, this Whitestone, Queens, home located at 166th Street and 23rd Avenue, is completely covered in lights and figures, and even boasts a display case with vintage miniature carousels and other animatronic toys.
The Shops at Columbus Circle: Colorful, illuminated 14-ft tall stars hang from the ceiling of the great room for “A Holiday Under the Stars!” Plus, don’t miss the Astolat Dollhouse Castle, valued at $8.5 million. Dollhouse on display through 12/8
World’s Largest Menorah at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza: At Chabad of Brooklyn’s 32-ft tall menorah—the maximum height allowed by Jewish law—each night’s lightings include live music, hot latkes, and gifts for children! 12/6-13
Browse the stalls at these seasonal pop-up shops to find unique gifts for kids, spouses, and pets!
Astoria Holiday Market: For three Sundays this month, the family-friendly Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens, will transform into a holiday market, showcasing the creative talents of local artists, bakers, and designers. 12/6, 12/13, and 12/20
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park: Inspired by European open-air markets, more than 125 boutique-style shops boast wares from artisans around the world, and a variety of unique gifts for the whole family (even pets). Through 1/3/2016
Columbus Circle: This year’s picturesque Columbus Circle holiday market will feature new vendors such as the New York Puzzle Company and Hill Country BBQ; plus, shoppers can enjoy a fully stocked food court on the Central Park side. Through 12/24
Grand Central Holiday Fair: Seventy-six vendors will take over Vanderbilt Hall for the 16th annual Holiday Fair! Shoppers can peruse holiday gifts like art, clothes, accessories, bath and body items, home goods, collectible toys, and more. Through 12/24
Union Square: In addition to offerings from 150 small businesses, this year’s market will feature an art-making station provided by the Children’s Museum of the Arts, and a new performance stage featuring family-friendly activities on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Through 12/24
Santa Claus is coming to town—take the kids to share their holiday wishes with the Big Man in Red!
ABC Carpet and Home: Take a photo with Santa amidst the store’s cozy yet ethereal décor. Saturdays 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 10am-3pm; Sundays 12/6, 12/13, 12/20: 11am-3pm
Brookfield Place: All month long, Santa will be hanging out at Brookfield Place! Stop by to shop, admire the lights at the Winter Garden, and snap a photo with Santa. Through 12/24
Macy’s Santaland: Kids will be wowed by meeting Santa and his live elves at this 13,000-square-ft North Pole Village, complete with animatronic toys and a train display. Through 12/24
The Plaza: Head to the Plaza for a rawther delightful holiday celebration with Santa Claus! Guests will enjoy a tea party in the Eloise shop, plus storytime and photo opps with Kris Kringle. Reservations required. 12/9, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18, and 12/23
Rockefeller Center Café: Treat the kids to a decadent breakfast with Santa at the Rockefeller Center Café, which includes gifts from Santa and his elves and the chance to get out on the rink with Santa himself. Through 12/24
Spirit Cruises’ Lunch With Santa Cruise: Cruise the Hudson with Old St. Nick! Passengers can take a picture with Santa, and then enjoy the holiday lunch buffet complete with lots of kid-friendly options like chicken tenders and cookies. 12/12
Pretend you’re at the center of an NYC-themed snow globe at one of these delightful local skating rinks.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park: This 17,000-
square-ft rink offers free-admission ice skating, as well as skate rentals, and special events and shows.
The Rink at Brookfield Place: This 7,503-square-ft rink offers Mommy/Daddy & Me skating in addition to a variety of programs for all abilities, and looks out on New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty.
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers: This indoor, twin-rink facility boasts stunning views of the Hudson River. The NHL-sized rinks welcome skaters of all ages and abilities, and even offer helmet rentals.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center: Just 150 people are allowed on the ice at a time at the city’s most iconic rink, but you can make reservation for the first skate of the day or even snag a spot for a special “Starlight Skate.”
The Standard, High Line: After strolling the High Line, stop by The Standard’s 3,000-square-ft rink, where in addition to skating you can snack on walnut doughnuts, Belgian waffles, and sip on spiced cider and hot chocolate.
Trump-Wollman Rink: There’s nothing quite like skating in the heart of Central Park! Head to Trump-Wollman Rink to skate at the very site where the famous scene in “Home Alone” was filmed.
Let these enchanting renditions of this holiday classic transport you to the Land of Sweets.
“The Hard Nut” (BAM): This retro reimagining of the original by Mark Morris Dance Group brings the show into the ‘70s with lyrical modern dance choreography. 12/12-20
“The Knickerbocker Suite” (Manhattan Movement & Arts Center): New York landmarks, such as Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, are woven into the classic tale performed by the Manhattan Youth Ballet. 12/11-20
New York City Ballet (Lincoln Center): With elaborate stage elements such as a one-ton Christmas tree that grows onstage, the family will have an unforgettable time at this performance of George Balanchine’s “Nutcracker.” Through 1/3/2016
New York Theatre Ballet (Florence Gould Hall): This Art Nouveau-style performance, set circa 1907, includes fun effects such as an owl that flies over the audience and mice dressed in polka dots—and its one-hour run time makes it the perfect show for ages 3 and up. 12/11-13
“The Yorkville Nutcracker” (The Kaye Playhouse): Don’t miss the 20th year of this performance by Dances Patrelle, which is set in 1895 and features notable New York landmarks like Gracie Mansion and the Crystal Palace. 12/10-13
Spread holiday cheer with a family caroling outing.
St. Bartholomew’s: Gather on the steps of this historic church at exactly 5:43pm for carol-singing, then warm up with hot chocolate, cider, and cookies inside. 12/14
Gramercy Park: For one hour on Christmas Eve, the gates of this private park open to the public for caroling at 6pm. 12/24
Cathedral of St. John the Divine: Join the Cathedral Choristers and the Cathedral Choir’s Trebles for a family-friendly service that features readings, puppets to help tell the Christmas Story, and carols for all to sing. 12/24
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: Sing along to traditional and contemporary carols performed by the Cathedral choir and other local groups at the Cathedral’s 36th annual “A City Singing at Christmas.” 12/17
Washington Square Park: Join the Rob Sussman Brass Quartet at the Washington Square Arch at 5pm to sing classic songs such as “Peace on Earth” and “Good Will to Men.” Songbooks will be distributed to everyone. 12/24
West Village: Starting at 4:30pm, wander the historic streets of the Village while singing holiday favorites like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Silent Night” with the West Village Chorale. 12/19
