Is Christmas in New York Worth It? An Honest Guide

Q: Is Christmas in New York expensive?

Christmas in New York can be expensive. It's is a popular time to visit New York, so hotels and flights can be more expensive than at other times of year. Luckily, you don't need to spend a lot on activities. Many of the best Christmas experiences, like seeing the Rockefeller Center tree, walking along Fifth Avenue, and exploring the holiday decorations, are free. Booking your trip early and mixing free activities with a few paid experiences can help keep the cost down.

Q: How many days do you need in NYC for Christmas?

I'd recommend at least 3 days in New York for Christmas , but 4–5 days would give you more time to see the Christmas sights without feeling rushed. With three days, you can see the major highlights like Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Times Square, and a Christmas market. With a few extra days, you can add experiences like Dyker Heights, ice skating, the Rockettes, or the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show.

There’s something special about New York at Christmas that makes the city feel completely different than the rest of the year.

I’ve visited New York twice between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’d happily go back again. The skyscrapers are covered in lights, the Christmas trees are enormous, store windows are decorated to the point of being ridiculous, and there always seems to be something festive happening around the city.

But Christmas in New York isn’t all magic. It’s crowded, cold, and it can get expensive. I also went both times hoping to see Central Park covered in snow and didn’t get my snowy Christmas moment either time.

Still, I think Christmas in New York is worth it.

From the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and Fifth Avenue’s holiday windows to Christmas markets, ice skating, and the Rockettes, there’s so much to see and do that it’s easy to see why people dream of spending Christmas in New York.

If you’re considering a Christmas trip to NYC, here’s what it’s actually like and what you should know before you go.

Table of Contents

Is Christmas in New York Worth It as a Tourist?

Yes, Christmas in New York is worth it as a tourist.

I’ve visited twice between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’d happily do it again.

What I love is that Christmas is happening all around you, even when you aren’t doing a specific Christmas activity. You can spend the morning exploring the city, stop at a Christmas market for a hot chocolate, wander through Central Park, and then head to Rockefeller Center once the lights come on.

The decorations are a huge part of it. The Rockefeller Center tree is massive, the Fifth Avenue window displays are fun to walk around, and Dyker Heights goes big with its Christmas lights and decorations.

Then there are the Christmas activities you can actually plan your trip around, like ice skating, seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, visiting the holiday markets, and watching the Saks Fifth Avenue light show.

There’s just a lot to enjoy.

The main things to keep in mind are the crowds, cold weather, and higher prices. Popular areas can get packed, especially in the evening when everyone is out seeing the lights. And if you’re hoping for snow, don’t count on it. I visited twice and didn’t get snow either time.

Even without snow, I still think the atmosphere makes it worth it. Just hopefully you’re luckier than me and get a little bit of snow for those magical white Christmas vibes.

10 Best Things to Do in New York at Christmas

There are so many Christmas things to do in NYC that you could easily fill an entire trip.

These are the ones I put at the top of my list.

1. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

If you’re visiting New York at Christmas, you have to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

It’s one of the most famous Christmas sights in the city, and seeing it in person is pretty impressive.

I couldn’t believe how big it was!

The tree is surrounded by the Rockefeller Center buildings and the famous ice skating rink, so there’s a lot to see in this area even if you’re not skating. I recommend visiting it by day and night so you can see how the tree lights up at night.

If you’re visiting during the tree lighting ceremony, you can attend that too, but expect crowds.

2. Watch the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show

The Saks Fifth Avenue holiday display is right across from Rockefeller Center, so it’s an easy one to add to your evening.

The building is covered in Christmas lights and the display is synchronized to music.

It’s only about 10 mins long, so not a huge time commitment, which is part of why I like it.

You’re already in the area, so stop and watch it before continuing your Christmas sightseeing. But know that it will be crowded.

The holiday display changes every year, so it’s one of those Christmas activities that’s different each time you visit.

3. Shop the Christmas Markets

I love a good Christmas market, and New York City has a variety to choose from.

Some popular ones include the Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and the Winter Village at Bryant Park.

You’ll find gifts, crafts, food, drinks, and plenty of things to browse.

Bryant Park was my favourite. I loved sampling all the different food vendors.

And the hot chocolate was so good. I bought some hot chocolate tins to bring back home to Canada to enjoy all winter long.

music hall radio city at christmas in nyc

4. See the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

I thought it might be a little cheesy. So I skipped it on my first Christmas trip to NYC.

But, I actually loved it.

The Rockettes are incredibly talented, and seeing the show inside Radio City Music Hall makes it feel like such a classic New York Christmas experience.

If you’re looking for one paid Christmas activity to splurge on, this is one I’d recommend.

5. Go Ice Skating

You can’t really talk about Christmas in New York without mentioning ice skating. At least I can’t, because I love skating in the winter.

You have several options, including Bryant Park, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center.

Skating at Rockefeller Center is probably the most iconic option, especially with the Christmas tree right beside you.

I also tried skating at The Edge because skating inside a skyscraper sounded so cool, and honestly, I didn’t like it.

The rink uses artificial ice and I found it really difficult to skate on, so I’d choose one of the traditional outdoor rinks instead.

Just make sure you book your skating reservation in advance! I tried to book too late and couldn’t get a spot at Bryant or Central Park.

6. Visit the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

The New York Botanical Garden is beautiful year-round, but during the holidays it puts on its Holiday Train Show.

It’s a nice option if you want to get away from the busiest parts of Manhattan for a while.

The show features model trains travelling through miniature versions of New York landmarks.

It’s definitely different from the usual Rockefeller Center/Fifth Avenue Christmas experience.

7. See the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

This was one of the most fun Christmas experiences I had in New York.

Dyker Heights is a neighbourhood in Brooklyn where residents go all out with their Christmas decorations.

We’re talking enormous displays, tons of lights, fake snow machines, and houses that look like they’re competing to be the most decorated.

I’d never seen anything quite like it.

I loved walking around and seeing how different each house was. I highly recommend walking around, as opposed to driving up and down the blocks for the best experience.

And yes, there are vendors selling hot chocolate too.

My favourite house was the one with fake snow! It made walking around more magical, because there wasn’t any actual snow on the ground.

8. Walk Through Central Park

Central Park is one of those places you should visit no matter what time of year you’re in New York.

But around Christmas, it’s especially pretty.

If you happen to get snow, even better.

Unfortunately, I didn’t. Twice. But I still loved walking through the park and getting away from the busier streets for a while.

Just don’t plan your entire trip around seeing snow. You can’t control the weather!

9. Visit Times Square

I know Times Square gets called a tourist trap, but I still think you should see it.

It’s one of those places that’s completely ridiculous and completely New York at the same time.

I like seeing it during both the day and at night because it feels different each time.

And if you’re already doing your Christmas sightseeing around Midtown, it’s an easy stop to add.

10. See the Empire State Building Lights

The Empire State Building is one of those landmarks you’ll probably end up looking at constantly while walking around New York.

During the holiday season, it gets lit up in festive colours for Christmas.

I saw it lit up in red and green during both of my trips, and while it’s a simple thing, it adds to the whole Christmas atmosphere.

You don’t necessarily need to go inside. Sometimes it’s just fun to look up and see it glowing above the city.

But if you love looking out over cities like I do, I recommend going up! On one of my visits, it was a foggy night, so the green glow of the lights hovered over the view and it was so cool!

girl standing in grand central station during christmas in nyc

When Is the Best Time to Visit New York at Christmas?

Early December is a good choice if you want the Christmas atmosphere with fewer crowds.

The week before Christmas gives you the full festive experience, but it’s also one of the busiest and most expensive times to visit.

Between Christmas and New Year’s is the time I’ve visited twice, and I loved it. The city is still decorated and festive, but you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere even though Christmas Day has passed.

If you don’t specifically need to be in NYC on Christmas Day, I’d seriously consider going between Christmas and New Year’s.

NYC Weather in December

December weather in New York can be unpredictable.

Temperatures range from 5 to 10 C in the daytime and 3 to -1 C at night (low-30s to mid-40s F). While the wind can make it feel even colder, it’s also not uncommon to have warmer days.

And while snow is definitely possible, you aren’t guaranteed a white Christmas. I visited twice between Christmas and New Year’s and didn’t get snow either time.

I was disappointed because I really wanted to see Central Park covered in snow, but luckily the lack of snow did make getting around the city much easier.

So pack for cold weather and hope for snow rather than the other way around.

girl looking out from the empire state building in new york in december

What to Pack for Christmas in New York

If you’re visiting NYC at Christmas, bring warm clothes.

You’ll probably walk a lot, and you’ll spend plenty of time outside looking at Christmas lights and decorations.

I’d recommend packing:

A warm, preferably waterproof winter coat
Sweaters and long-sleeve shirts
Thermal layers if you get cold easily
A scarf, hat, and gloves
Comfortable shoes for walking
Warm socks
An umbrella
A reusable water bottle

If you’re going to a Broadway show, the Rockettes, or another nicer event, I’d also bring one dressier outfit.

You don’t need to dress up everywhere in New York, but I always think it’s fun to have something a little nicer for an evening out.

Where to Stay in NYC During Christmas

Where you stay makes a big difference during a Christmas trip to NYC. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time around Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Bryant Park, and Central Park, staying in Manhattan can make getting around much easier.

I’ve stayed in both Brooklyn and Midtown, and staying in Midtown cut down transportation time so I could enjoy more Christmas activities and spend less time on the subway.

Here are a few hotels worth considering:

The Plaza Hotel – A classic 5-star New York hotel right by Central Park. It’s especially festive during Christmas and was famously featured in Home Alone 2.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – A luxury hotel in Brooklyn if you’d rather stay outside the busiest part of Manhattan.

The Ritz-Carlton Central Park – A luxury option in a great location beside Central Park.

My Tips for Spending Christmas in New York City

Book early. Hotels and popular Christmas activities can fill up, and prices tend to increase as your trip gets closer.
Visit popular attractions early. See places like Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue during the day, then save the lights for after dark.
Don’t over plan your NYC Christmas itinerary. Leave some time to wander around and enjoy the city without rushing from one attraction to the next.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll walk a lot, even if you’re using the subway between neighbourhoods.
Have an indoor backup plan. December weather can be unpredictable, so have a museum, Broadway show, shopping, or another indoor activity in mind.

New York City Christmas FAQs

Is It Nice to Spend Christmas in New York?

Yes, spending Christmas in New York is a really fun experience, especially if you love the holiday season. The city is decorated everywhere you go, and there are Christmas markets, festive shows, ice skating, holiday lights, and plenty of things to see and do.
I’ve visited twice between Christmas and New Year’s and loved the festive atmosphere both times. Just keep in mind that New York is busy and cold during this time of year.

Is Christmas in New York expensive?

Christmas in New York can be expensive. It’s is a popular time to visit New York, so hotels and flights can be more expensive than at other times of year.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend a lot on activities. Many of the best Christmas experiences, like seeing the Rockefeller Center tree, walking along Fifth Avenue, and exploring the holiday decorations, are free.
Booking your trip early and mixing free activities with a few paid experiences can help keep the cost down.

How many days do you need in NYC for Christmas?

I’d recommend at least 3 days in New York for Christmas, but 4–5 days would give you more time to see the Christmas sights without feeling rushed.
With three days, you can see the major highlights like Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Times Square, and a Christmas market. With a few extra days, you can add experiences like Dyker Heights, ice skating, the Rockettes, or the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show.

Ready to Plan Your Christmas Trip to New York?

If you’ve decided you’re going to spend Christmas in New York, it’s time to start putting the trip together.

Start by figuring out where to stay in NYC, book your flights and activities early, and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the city without rushing from one Christmas attraction to the next.

Now all that’s left is picking your dates, packing a warm coat, and getting excited for New York City at Christmas time.