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    10 Things To Do in NYC in December

    Published: Oct 29, 2019 / 20 Comments

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    New York City is one of the most beautifully and skillfully decorated cities around Christmas and New Year's Eve.  Spending some time in December in New York is a great way to get into the holiday mood. Discover the Top Things To Do in NYC in December!

    Things to do in NYC in December

    Things to do in NYC in December

    New York City is one of the most fun cities in the world during the holiday season. The activities abound, the whole city gets decorated with holiday lights, Christmas decorations, and intricate window displays.

    Spending holidays in NYC can get expensive, but there are SO MANY fun free things to do (and to see!) in New York City in December.   And, that's what this post is all about.  Here is my list of Top 10 Things To Do in NYC during the winter holiday season:

    Rockefeller Center skating rink, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Rockefeller Center people skating

    10 Things To Do in NYC in December

    1.  Gigantic Christmas decorations and lights in midtown Manhattan

    Giant red ornaments at 1251 Sixth Avenue, near Rockefeller Plaza in NYC are a spectacular sight.   If you let your imagination run wild, these Christmas ornaments will remind you of huge caramelized apples or gigantic pomegranates, quite appropriately for the season!  Very shiny and deliciously looking, aren't they?

    gigantic ornaments in New York City, NYC at Christmas

    When visiting NYC in December, be sure not to miss the gigantic Christmas lights on 6th Avenue. They look like huge lipsticks of different colors or rockets ready to launch, don't they?

    gigantic Christmas tree lights in New York City, NYC Christmas

    There are beautiful lights everywhere in midtown Manhattan:

    Christmas lights in midtown Manhattan, NYC, New York City

    Christmas lights and flags in Rockefeller Plaza NYC, New York City

    2. Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza

    Rockefeller Center is one of the main attractions in NYC.  Especially in the winter.  It is home to the iconic Christmas Tree, that's over 70 feet tall this year.

    Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

    The tree is placed right in front of the Rockefeller building.

    Christmas Tree - Rockefeller Center

    Christmas Tree - Rockefeller Center

    This iconic NYC Christmas tree is topped with the Swarovski star topper composed of multiple precision-cut crystals.    A replica of the Swarovski star is also on display in the Rockefeller Center - and you can see all the intricate detail, crystals and facets up-close, which is pretty cool:

    a replica of the Swarovski star, star topper to NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas tree

    A little further, you can see a famous bronze statue of Atlas in front of Rockefeller Center. In Greek mythology, Atlas was forced by Zeus to hold up the heavens as a special punishment - as we can see on this photo:

    Atlas statue at Rockefeller Center NYC

    3. The Rink at Rockefeller Center

    One of the most world-famous ice rinks is located right at the Rockefeller Center.  Constructed in the 1930's, the ice rink is very popular with tourists and visitors.  If you are in NYC in December, be sure to walk by the Rockefeller Center and watch the people skate on this spectacular rink.

    skating rink at Rockefeller Center NYC, Prometheus bronze gilded statue New York City

    This skating rink is right underneath the Christmas tree and the bronze gilded statue of Prometheus.

    Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

    A little further from the Christmas tree, there is a cute alley decorated with the wire-sculpted angel figures.  Each herald angel holds six-foot-long brass trumpet:

    angels at Rockefeller Center

    Giant toy soldier at Rockefeller Center NYC:

    gigantic Christmas toy soldiers, Rockefeller Plaza NYC

    4. Radio City Music Hall

    Radio City Music Hall is home to the traditional NYC Christmas show - The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the women's dance team known as the Rockettes.

    Radio City Music Hall, Christmas

    The front of the music hall is decorated with a huge Christmas tree that constantly changes colors.

    Radio City Music Hall, Christmas

    5. The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows

    Every Christmas season, Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store in NYC unveils the store's iconic holiday windows. Besides the holiday windows, the entire facade of the iconic luxury retailer is also decorated with intricate light display:

    Saks fifth avenue Christmas

    6. Strolling along 5th avenue from the Rockefeller Center towards Central Park

    Take a stroll from the Rockefeller Center towards Central Park, along the 5th avenue and you'll see many beautifully decorated buildings and displays in December. This is how the world's premier jeweler Tiffany & Co. is decorated during the holiday season:

    Tiffany store on 5th avenue NYC decorated for Christmas

    And here is Harry Winston jewelry store decorated with elegant Christmas lights:

    Harry Winston store on fifth avenue decorated for Christmas

    7. Giant Snowflake in NYC

    As you continue walking along Fifth Avenue from the Rockefeller Center towards Central Park, you will see a giant snowflake above the intersection of 5th Avenue and 57th street. This snowflake is known as UNICEF snowflake, and it's a beautifully illuminated crystal ornament that lights up the Fifth Avenue at night.

    giant snowflake in NYC, snowflake above the intersection of 5th avenue and 57th street, UNICEF snowflake

    8. Hanukkah Menorah

    And here is the World's largest Hanukkah Menorah.  It's a 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel structure at Grand Army Plaza. It's located on Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street, across the street from The Plaza hotel.

    World's largest Hanukkah Menorah, Grand Army Plaza, Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street, across the street from The Plaza hotel

    9. The Empire State Building Tower Lights

    The Empire State Building tower lights are visible from many points in the city. The building has a computer-driven LED light system capable of displaying numerous colors. The Empire State Building looks especially spectacular in December during the holiday season.

    The Empire State Building tower lights

    The Empire State Building tower lights

    10. Plaza Hotel

    Right by where the Central Park starts at the 5th avenue, you can see The Plaza Hotel, an iconic century-old luxury hotel.

    Plaza hotel NYC

    Right next to the Plaza hotel, is the Pulitzer Fountain in Grand Army Plaza. During the winter holiday season, the basin of the fountain is decorated with lighted trees.

    Pulitzer Fountain Central Park NYC, near Plaza Hotel and Apple Store

    Extra Things To Do in NYC in December

    If you are not tired after walking along Fifth Avenue, visiting the Rockefeller Plaza, and watching stunning holiday windows displays, here are some more things to do in NYC in December!

    1.  Saint Patrick's Cathedral

    Saint Patrick's Cathedral is another popular attraction in NYC that attracts millions of people each year.

    Saint Patrick's Cathedral in NYC

    2. The Frick Collection Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    There are many amazing art museums in NYC. If you're cold or tired from walking, visit The Frick Collection Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

    3. Apple Fifth avenue

    Across from the Plaza Hotel, is an iconic Apple Store glass cube on Fifth Avenue. This Apple retail location is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

    Apple Store glass cube at the base of the General Motors building

    4. Walking in Manhattan

    New York City turns into a magical place in December. The buildings get decorated, the city is beautifully lit, and walking in Manhattan becomes an experience in itself. The city looks joyful and stunning both during the day and at night in December.

    10 Things To Do in NYC in December

    Manhattan at night in December

    Rockefeller Plaza, toy soldiers, Christmas in NYC, New York City Christmas

    Manhattan during the day in December

    5. Broadway Theaters & Times Square

    Finally, no December visit to NYC is complete without watching a holiday Broadway show. Get yourselves tickets to shows, such as the Phantom of the Opera, Big Apple Circus, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, among many others!

    This post was originally published in December 2014. It was updated and republished in October 2019.

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    Comments

    1. LC

      December 03, 2019 at 10:48 am

      This isn't a list of "things to DO". It's definitely a good list of 10 things to see/look at. Got any ideas of activities?

      Reply
      • Anonymous

        December 21, 2019 at 11:01 am

        Well yes these are things to look at but u could turn them into things to do. I think some activities that aren’t in this list are Ice skate in Rockefeller plaza.Watch one of Broadways musicals. There also are various museums that u should visit that are in various movies I am not sure exactly the name but search up popular museums and u could pick ur top 3. There are many wonderful restaurants in NY as well that are a quality experience. All these stores that you could see you could as well shop because not every store in every state is the same u will most likely see many different things based on weather or just the area. This is just suggestions and ideas so u could be inspired to plan ur own things .

        Reply
        • Julia

          February 20, 2020 at 5:24 pm

          You described so many wonderful ideas to do in NYC! I could not agree more that watching one of Broadway musicals, NYC restaurants, and shopping in the city are great activities! I could literally spend a month in NYC just doing fun activities - there are so many things to do!

          Reply
    2. Kim

      September 16, 2016 at 1:24 pm

      I am going to NYC from 12/12/16 to 12/16/2016. My son is going with me. He will turn 21 on 12/13. I am obsessed with this trip. It is something that I have wanted to do for a while. I hope it will be as magical as I am hoping. I have our tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show. Thank you Julia for all of the wonderful pictures.

      Reply
    3. Andre Beluchi

      January 29, 2016 at 6:01 pm

      The view of NYC sure is beautiful and one of my goals to with my wife. I've been to that city before and happened to stay in one of those luxurious hotels. Oh, it was a neat experience and one that I would like to be at with my wife.

      Reply
    4. Mae

      December 02, 2015 at 3:53 pm

      How exciting are all of these! Another event I think is perfect for all the ladies' is an event at Whiskey Blue next Tuesday! They have free manicures! I RSVP'd here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/naughty-or-nice-tickets-19732512476

      Reply
    5. Lindy

      November 06, 2015 at 9:06 am

      The Church of the Intercession on Broadway and 155th Street (part of the Trinity Wall Street family) hosts a Twas the Night Before Christmas service on the Sunday before Christmas. The story's author, Clement Clarke Moore, rests in the beautiful churchyard across the street overlooking the Hudson River. The family friendly service includes treats for children, a musical showcase by the church choral groups, and the reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas by a special guest. Afterward, the congregation is led in a candlelit processional to place a wreath on the author's grave. The parishioners are a warm and welcoming lot and the magical service is well worth attending.

      Reply
    6. John@Kitchen Riffs

      January 07, 2015 at 11:46 am

      Really good pictures! NYC is great any time, but you're right -- the holiday season is always special. You've brought back happy memories. Thanks -- and Happy New Year!

      Reply
    7. Juliana

      January 06, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      Happy New Year Julia! Yes, NYC is amazing during this time of the year...thanks for the pictures...I sure enjoy them all.
      Have a wonderful week 🙂

      Reply
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