The Magic of Christmas in NYC: A Festive City Guide
There’s nowhere quite like New York City at Christmas. As the streets sparkle with festive lights, shop windows transform into winter wonderlands and the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air, the Big Apple becomes a real-life Christmas movie. From admiring the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and gliding across the ice at Bryant Park to wandering through the magical holiday markets and marvelling at the extravagant decorations along Fifth Avenue, there’s festive magic around every corner. And, of course, no Christmas trip to New York would be complete without trying to secure a table at Rolf’s German Restaurant, the legendary festive hotspot famous for its over-the-top Christmas decorations. With twinkling lights, ceiling-to-floor ornaments and a wonderfully chaotic holiday atmosphere, it’s the ultimate addition to a New York Christmas bucket list.
What to Do
See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – Marvel at one of New York’s most iconic Christmas traditions, with its towering tree, sparkling lights and festive atmosphere.
Go ice skating at Bryant Park – Glide around the beautiful outdoor rink surrounded by twinkling lights, festive market stalls and the magical Midtown skyline.
Explore the Fifth Avenue Christmas window displays – Wander past the elaborate festive window displays at iconic department stores, where Christmas magic fills the streets. Saks Christmas windows are unveilled on November 23rd.
Take a Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour – Head to Brooklyn to see the neighbourhood’s extravagant Christmas displays, where entire houses are transformed with thousands of twinkling lights, giant decorations and over-the-top festive displays.
Where to Stay
1 Hotel Central Park steps from Central Park and within easy reach of Fifth Avenue’s festive window displays (£££)
The Langham prime location for exploring Midtown (£££)
Arlo NoMad views of the Empire State Building (££)
POD Brooklyn for budget-conscious travellers, stylish, compact rooms in Williamsburg (£)
