Things to do in NYC in December 2026

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Wed, Dec 2

Rockefeller Plaza · Midtown, Manhattan

Tree arrives Nov 7, 2026; lighting is usually broadcast on NBC. Viewing hours after the lighting not yet announced; streets near the plaza close for the ceremony.

Madison Square Park Holiday Tree Lighting

Thu, Dec 3

4:30pm–5:30pm

Madison Square Park · Flatiron, Manhattan

Run by Madison Square Park Conservancy; a tradition dating to 1912, billed as the first public Christmas tree lighting in the US.

Astoria Market Holiday Market

Sun, Dec 6 · Sun, Dec 13

12pm–6pm

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden · Astoria, Queens

Two-Sunday makers market run by Astoria Market at the historic beer garden. Admission price not listed.

NYRR Midnight Run

Thu, Dec 31

Race starts at midnight; RUNCENTER party 6pm–10pm

Central Park · Central Park, Manhattan

4-mile race that starts at midnight with a fireworks display over Central Park. You must register to run.

Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop

Thu, Dec 31

Viewing areas open 3pm; ball raised ~6pm; drop begins 11:59pm

Times Square (One Times Square) · Times Square, Manhattan

Free and first-come, first-served, entered only from 6th or 8th Ave. No backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, chairs or alcohol, and no portable toilets. If you leave your pen, you can't get back in.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Oct 10 – Mar 27, 2027

Daily 9am–midnight

Rockefeller Center · Midtown, Manhattan

Skate rental costs extra. The new Skate House and VIP Skate open Nov 14. The rink closes Dec 1–2 for the tree lighting.

Holiday Shops at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Oct 28 – Jan 3, 2027

Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–8pm; Christmas Day noon–5pm

Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan

180+ glass-kiosk shops run by Urbanspace; opens at noon on Oct 28. The Lodge food hall and bar stays open to Feb 28, 2027.

The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park

Oct 28 – Feb 28, 2027

Daily 8am–10pm; 8am–midnight Nov 19–Jan 3 (opens noon Oct 28)

Bryant Park · Midtown, Manhattan

NYC's only free-admission rink. Bringing your own skates still requires a free timed ticket reserved in advance. Bank of America cardholders get 10% off rentals.

Wollman Rink

Oct 28 – Mar 16, 2027

Mon–Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu, Sun 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm

Wollman Rink, Central Park · Central Park, Manhattan

Each date's price tier is set on the rink's calendar, and prices include tax. Children 3 and under skate free.

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

Nov 4 – Jan 4, 2027

Radio City Music Hall · Midtown, Manhattan

230 performances, the most since the show debuted in 1933. Shows run up to several times a day, including Christmas morning. Prices vary by date, so check the Rockettes 'Times & Prices' calendar.

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Nov 9 – Dec 24

Nov 9–Dec 16: Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm; Dec 17–23: 10am–8pm; Dec 24: 10am–6pm; closed Thanksgiving

Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal · Midtown East, Manhattan

Indoor, climate-controlled fair with about 40 local artisan vendors. Direct access from Grand Central subway and Metro-North.

NYBG Holiday Train Show

Nov 14 – Jan 10, 2027

Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden · Bedford Park, Bronx

Nearly 200 plant-made landmark replicas, new One Vanderbilt model this year. Select evenings open to 8pm; timed tickets; Metro-North to Botanical Garden.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards

Nov 16 – Jan 7, 2027

Hudson Yards (Vessel, Public Square, The Shops) · Hudson Yards, Manhattan

Lighting ceremony at Vessel Nov 16 (doors 5pm, starts 6pm). 2M+ lights, 725 trees; free Santa photos weekday evenings Nov 27–Dec 23.

Macy's Herald Square Holiday Windows

Nov 19 – Jan 4, 2027

Macy's Herald Square · Herald Square, Manhattan

The 2026 windows tell the Blue Hippopotamus story, tied to the parade's 100th year. A countdown clock to the parade is also at Herald Square.

Winter Lantern Festival: Illuminate the Farm (Queens)

Nov 19 – Jan 3, 2027

5pm–10pm, last entry 9pm

Queens County Farm Museum · Glen Oaks, Queens

Thu–Sun until Dec 17, then nightly through Jan 3. Hundreds of handmade silk lanterns; timed tickets via Fever, under-3s free.

A Christmas Carol (PAC NYC)

Nov 20 – Jan 3, 2027

Perelman Performing Arts Center · World Trade Center / Lower Manhattan

Andy Karl plays Scrooge. Runs 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission.

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Nov 20 – Jan 3, 2027

Brooklyn Botanic Garden · Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Running again in 2026. Timed evening entry via Leap; garden closes to daytime visitors at 3:30pm during the run; under-3s free.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

7 date ranges, Nov 21 – Jan 3

Lights on 4:30pm; last entry 8pm (park access from 1pm)

Bronx Zoo · Bronx Park, Bronx

Advance tickets required, rain or shine. New this year: evening access to Children's Zoo, World of Darkness and World of Reptiles.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker (New York City Ballet)

Nov 27 – Jan 2, 2027

David H. Koch Theater · Lincoln Center, Manhattan

About 2 hours and recommended for ages 5+. Every person needs a ticket, including lap children. Latecomers aren't seated. A sensory-friendly performance follows on Jan 3, 2027 at 1pm.

Hanukkah 2026

Dec 4–12

Citywide

First candle lit the evening of Dec 4. Public menorah lightings happen nightly across the city during these eight nights.

New York Philharmonic: Handel's Messiah

Dec 9–13

David Geffen Hall · Lincoln Center, Manhattan

An annual NY Phil holiday tradition. Performance times and prices are on nyphil.org.

Bryant Park Tree Lighting

2026 dates not posted yet

Bryant Park (Winter Village rink) · Midtown, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Dec 2 (5:30pm). Free, first-come entry from 3:30pm with limited space; skating resumes after the show.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

2026 dates not posted yet

Columbus Circle / Central Park southwest corner · Columbus Circle, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Dec 2 – Dec 31, closed Christmas Day. Urbanspace describes a Thanksgiving-to-New-Year's window.

Diocese of Brooklyn Christmas Tree Lighting at Grand Army Plaza

2026 dates not posted yet

Grand Army Plaza (Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch) · Prospect Heights/Park Slope, Brooklyn

In 2025 the tree and Nativity scene were blessed Dec 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception). 25-ft balsam fir with 18,000 LEDs under the arch.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

2026 dates not posted yet

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Private homes, no organiser. Typically lit from the weekend after Thanksgiving to early January; D train to 79 St then ~20-min walk, or a bus tour.

Grand Army Plaza Menorah Lighting (Brooklyn)

2026 dates not posted yet

Grand Army Plaza · Prospect Heights/Park Slope, Brooklyn

Chabad of Park Slope (Rabbi Shimon Hecht) lights it nightly with a first-night concert. 2025 schedule not found; 2024 run was Dec 25–Jan 1.

Herald Holiday Market

2026 dates not posted yet

Herald Square plazas (Broadway, W 32nd–36th St) · Herald Square, Manhattan

Outdoor Urbanspace market on the plazas beside Macy's. In 2024 it ran Dec 6 – Jan 3.

Holiday Hop at Snug Harbor

2026 dates not posted yet

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden · Livingston, Staten Island

In 2025 it ran Dec 6–7, 11am–4pm, with 150+ vendors across four campus fairs (Art Lab, Staten Island Museum, Noble Maritime, Cottage Row).

Holiday Nostalgia Rides (vintage subway train)

2026 dates not posted yet

2 Av–Houston St to 96 St–2 Av subway stations · Manhattan (F/Q lines, Lower East Side to Upper East Side)

In 2025 it ran every Sunday in December plus Jan 4, 2026, 10am–5pm, on vintage cars between 2 Av–Houston St (F) and 96 St–2 Av (Q). Rides depend on weather.

Macy's Santaland

2026 dates not posted yet

Macy's Herald Square · Herald Square, Manhattan

Free reservations open Fri Nov 20 and are released on a rolling basis 7 days ahead. Sensory-friendly hours are offered. A paid premium visit for up to 8 guests includes a photo package.

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park

2026 dates not posted yet

Grand Army Plaza · Prospect Park, Brooklyn

In 2025 it ran Dec 31 with live music from 10pm and fireworks at midnight. It was free with an Eventbrite RSVP.

Seaport Holiday Tree Lighting

2026 dates not posted yet

South Street Seaport Museum (Fulton & Water Sts) · South Street Seaport, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Dec 2, 3:30–7pm with lighting at 7pm, by the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse. Free.

Union Square Holiday Market

2026 dates not posted yet

Union Square Park · Union Square, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Nov 13 – Dec 24. Run by Urbanspace with nearly 200 vendors at the southwest corner of the park.

Washington Square Park Holiday Tree Lighting

2026 dates not posted yet

6pm

Washington Square Arch · Greenwich Village, Manhattan

In 2025 it ran Dec 11 at 6pm. Carols with a brass quartet; the Association also holds Christmas Eve caroling at the Arch at 5pm.

Williamsburg Winter Village

2026 dates not posted yet

Bk Backyard · Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Brooklyn

In 2025 it ran Fri–Sun, Dec 5–28, with GA tickets about $11.50. Holiday market, food vendors and live music; L to Bedford Ave or G to Metropolitan Ave.

World's Largest Menorah Lighting (Manhattan)

2026 dates not posted yet

Grand Army Plaza (Fifth Ave & 59th St) · Upper East Side/Midtown, Manhattan

Lubavitch Youth Organization lights it nightly during Hanukkah (2026: Dec 4–12). In 2025: Dec 14–21, 5:30pm Sun–Thu, earlier Fri, later Sat.