New York has so much going on at Christmas that planning can feel overwhelming. These itineraries group sights by neighborhood and time of day so you spend less time on the subway and more time enjoying the season.
One Perfect Day
- Morning: the Rockefeller Center tree before 9 a.m., then skate at Wollman Rink and walk through Central Park.
- Afternoon: browse Bryant Park Winter Village and the Grand Central Holiday Fair.
- Evening: the Rockettes, then walk the Fifth Avenue windows and catch the Saks light show.
Three Days
Day 1: Midtown classics
As above, plus the Lotte Palace courtyard and Bergdorf Goodman windows.
Day 2: Downtown and Brooklyn
Union Square market in the morning, lunch in the Village, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, explore DUMBO, then head to Dyker Heights after dark.
Day 3: Uptown and the Bronx
The NYBG Holiday Train Show in the morning, Arthur Avenue for lunch, and Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights at dusk. Or swap in the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center.
Five Days
Add:
- Day 4: Hudson Yards via the High Line, Macy’s windows and Santaland, and A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC.
- Day 5: the free Staten Island Ferry to the Winter Lantern Festival, or Lightscape in Brooklyn.
Timing Tips
- Visit in late November or the first two weeks of December for the best balance of decorations and crowds.
- Avoid Fifth Avenue on Saturday evenings in mid-December if you can.
- Book shows, Lightscape and the Bronx Zoo in advance.
Tips for Using These Itineraries
- Book timed tickets first: shows, Lightscape, the Bronx Zoo and skating sessions, then build days around them.
- Do the famous sights early: the Rockefeller tree is lit from 6 a.m. and is calmest before 9 a.m.
- Save the lights for evening: it’s dark by 4:30–5 p.m. in December.
- Group by neighborhood: Midtown, the West Side and Central Park, Downtown and Brooklyn, and the Bronx each fill a day.
- Build in breaks: cold and crowds are tiring; plan a warm lunch and some hotel downtime.
Itinerary for Families
Swap in kid favorites: the NYBG train show and Bronx Zoo lights on one day, Santaland and the windows on another, and a Rockettes matinee. See Christmas in NYC with kids.
Itinerary for Couples
Add a romantic evening at Lightscape, skating at Wollman at night, a Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall or Trinity Church and a holiday cocktail at a festive bar.
On a Budget
Fill your days with free trees, lights, markets and windows, and choose one ticketed highlight. See 40 free things to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in NYC at Christmas?
Three days covers the major Midtown sights, Brooklyn’s lights and one ticketed show or light festival. Five days lets you add the Bronx, Staten Island and more shows.
What is the best week to visit NYC at Christmas?
The first two weeks of December, when everything is open and crowds are lighter than the week before Christmas.
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