2014 Holiday Guide: New York City

Rockefeller Center is a sparkling icon of Christmastime

There seems to never be a bad time to visit New York City, but nothing is quite like the Big Apple during the holiday season. Stores deck their windows in glitter and jingling bells can be heard on practically every corner. From mid-November to the beginning of January, the city is buzzing with festive energy thanks to the impending arrival of three holidays within a few weeks: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

New York knows how to pull out all the stops when it comes to celebrating, whether it’s by hosting a legendary parade, putting on magnificent Christmas shows, or counting down to 2015 in crazy style. Just remember that crowds are larger at this time of year, and stress can run high. Familiarize yourself with our guide to New York etiquette and you’ll be in perfect shape to navigate the city without a hitch. Let us be your guide to the best shopping and holiday experiences as you prepare to celebrate with loved ones and welcome the New Year!

Holiday markets

Union Square turns into a Christmas market for the holiday season

Why settle for shopping at department stores? Visit the plethora of holiday markets and you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your holiday list!

• From November 20 to December 24, the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Broadway becomes an artisanal hotspot. The Union Square Holiday Market offers a wide variety of gifts to suit everyone’s tastes: handmade jewelry, fashion, quirky tchotchkes, and funky art. Take advantage of the dozens of food vendors and sample German treats, organic teas, and handcrafted macarons.
• At the southwestern gate of Central Park sits the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, open from December 2 to December 24. You’ll find vintage pieces, hand-painted ornaments for your Christmas tree, artisanal soaps, and exotic spices here.
• The Upper West Side transforms into a vibrant party during the Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square Festival! On December 1, musicians, restaurants, and artists entertain the masses at this annual event. Live music will fill the air while restaurant vendors offer discounted food tastings. Activities such as live ice-sculpting will keep younger children entertained. Join the fun and welcome December with pizzazz!
• If you commute to the city via Grand Central Terminal, stay inside a little longer and make your way to Vanderbilt Hall before rushing out into the concrete jungle. From November 17 to Christmas Eve, the Holiday Fair hosts 76 vendors selling accessories, collectibles, and pet-friendly presents. As the only indoor New York holiday market, it has an added incentive: keeping you warm and sheltering you from the chilly weather for a little while!

Bryant Park is the perfect setting for ice skating

• More than 125 kiosks are posted in Midtown Manhattan’s Bryant Park as part of the Winter Village at Bryant Park. You’ll love the boutiques’ range of products, from décor to gourmet chocolates. Grab a hot chocolate and wander from storefront to storefront, admiring the festive atmosphere as you go.

Ice skating rinks

Admire Wollman Rink’s spectacular view of the city skyline while you perfect your figure eights

• Arguably the most iconic urban skating rink in the country, The Rink at Rockefeller Center invites skaters to take a spin on the ice. You can glide past the gilded bronze gaze of Prometheus with visitors from across New York and around the world in the sunken Lower Plaza. Only 150 skaters are allowed in the rink at one time, so be prepared to face a lengthy wait. Special cases, like those who have purchased a VIP package, can make a reservation in advance. Otherwise, you’ll have to settle for general admission, which runs on a first-come, first-serve basis. Adult admission costs $27 regularly and $30 during peak days, children under 11 and seniors’ admission costs $15, and skate rentals cost $12. Discounted rates are available for parties of 15 or more with advance notice. It’s worth a little extra planning to skate under the glittering lights of the plaza’s Christmas tree and the night sky.
• After you’re done perusing the park’s shops, lace up your skates and glide across The Rink at Winter Village in Bryant Park. Set among romantic trees and twinkling Christmas lights, the 170 foot by 100 foot rink is a popular winter hotspot. Skating lessons and unique performances are also offered at the rink. Better yet, general admission is free (though you’ll have to pay for skate rentals) and the rink stays open from mid-October until early March.
• Wollman Rink sits toward the southeastern edge of Central Park between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Skating on frozen ponds has been a tradition in Central Park since the 1850s, but it wasn’t until 1950 that Wollman became the de facto skating rink in the mid-Manhattan area. Arrive at nighttime to see the illuminated New York skyline for a magical experience. Admission prices are $11.25 for adults, $6 for children ages 11 and under, and $5 for seniors. Skate rentals, lockers, and lessons are available as well.
• Come to Lakeside in Prospect Park for double the skating! The LeFrak Center offers two ice skating rinks for guests to enjoy. Once you’ve perfected your toe loops and layback spins, visit the café for a warm beverage and admire the terraced grounds surrounding the rinks. Skate rentals are $6 apiece, and general admission prices range from $6 to $8.

Annual holiday events

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is rightly considered a New York institution

• In its 90th year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade maintains its status as a Thanksgiving tradition. Colossal balloons and intricate floats glide along the parade route, Broadway’s brightest stars perform live, dance troupes and marching bands play, and Santa Claus himself closes the cavalcade in a triumphant encore. The parade route generally starts along Central Park West in the middle of the Upper West Side, snakes through to 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas), and always concludes at 34th Street in front of the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store. Get there early (on November 27 this year) for a prime seat at this legendary event!

Crowds flood Macy’s flagship store for Black Friday deals

• When you’ve recovered from your turkey coma, it’s time to shop ‘til you drop! Stores open early nationwide to tempt shoppers with incredible discounts and deals. This unofficial beginning of the Christmas season–known as Black Friday–occurs the day after Thanksgiving. Get the full inventory of sale items early in the morning, or wait until the crowds have dispersed for an easier–though no less jam-packed–shopping experience in the afternoon. For some ideas of where to go, take a look at our guide to the top shopping spots in New York.
• Rockefeller Center debuts the most famous Christmas tree in the country on December 3 this year. Of course, premiering this green giant needs a fitting ceremony. Thousands of people gather to view the spectacle, while musical guests and special performances entertain until the big reveal. If you choose to join the spectators, remember to bundle up–it gets cold out there! If you can’t make it to the ceremony, never fear; the tree remains lit until New Year’s Day. Afterwards, you probably could use a hot beverage to warm your hands. Thankfully, New York is full of coffee shops, and our top favorites are here.

The ball drop welcoming 2015 will be witnessed by the thousands who arrive in Times Square and countless others around the world

• When it comes to welcoming the New Year with style, nobody does it better than New York. Crowds gather hours before the countdown at midnight to witness the Ball Drop in Times Square. Grab some friends, pop open some champagne, and get ready to sing a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne!” Times Square isn’t only memorable at the transition to the new year; our Times Square visitor’s guide will show you what it’s like year-round!

Celebrate Holiday Season in an apartment

With a period of five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, why not spend the entire season in a New York rental? You’ll be able to reap the full benefits of the holidays without cramming all your to-do list items into a few days. Don’t be stressed about finding temporary digs during the most wonderful time of the year; New York Habitat can help! Our New York vacation rentals give you the independence of your own space, while a bed and breakfast accommodation might suit those who would love a live-in host. Of course, if you find yourself wanting to stay in the city a bit longer (and why wouldn’t you?), our best advice is to consider a more permanent move. Luckily, our furnished apartments will perfectly fit the bill.

Things to do and see during the holiday season

Trains and model buildings combine in the magical and delightful displays of the NYBG Holiday Train Show

• From November 15 to January 19, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx welcomes the Holiday Train Show. This seasonal family favorite has been hosted since 1992. Over 100 fanciful models of New York’s greatest landmarks stand between a quarter-mile of miniature train tracks traversed by a dozen operating model locomotives. In celebration of the season, NYBG will also be sponsoring musical performances and special guests, including former Poet Laureate of the United States Billy Collins.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has drawn families and fans to its annual performances for over 80 years

• The most recognizable Christmastime icons in New York aren’t necessarily Santa Claus and his reindeer, but perhaps the high-spirited Rockettes! They are the stars of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a seasonal show with a limited run each November and December. The show features an abridged reinterpretation of The Nutcracker as well as the Living Nativity, a depiction of Christ’s birth featuring live animals! Tickets range in price, but you can always find a great deal to see this landmark production.
• From November 28 to January 3, New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center will inaugurate the 60th anniversary season of The Nutcracker, as choreographed by George Balanchine. The timeless classic follows young Clara from the ballroom at her family’s party into the magical land where delicious confections come to life. Tickets start at $35, but be prepared for increased prices and sold-out dates for this Christmastime staple.
• Hop on the subway and travel to Williamsburg’s Knitting Factory, where the Rock Your Stockings Off festival is now entering its fifth year. A night of pop choirs, rock-influenced carols, and endless singing awaits. Proceeds from the event go to charity, and tickets may be purchased on the Knitting Factory website or at the door. Don’t forget to sample some spiked eggnog for extra holiday cheer!
• Jazz aficionados won’t want to miss the 42nd Street Jazz Festival, a week-long celebration of the musical genre. This year’s fest will run from December 16 to December 23 at Theater Row on West 42nd Street, and features seven exciting acts from around the world. Tickets are just $21.25; take advantage of this great deal to see jazz masters at work!
• Christmas trees are not an uncommon sight in New York during the months of November and December, but the Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is anything but common. A Neapolitan Nativity scene made of collectible crèches creates a spruce that is decorated unlike any other. The exhibit runs from the end of November thru the first week of January. The Met is considered part of the Museum Mile, a stretch of the east side of Manhattan known for its tight density of cultural institutions. Take a look at our guide to the Museum Mile for ideas on where to go once you’ve conquered The Met!
• A number of homes in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights go all out every year to adorn their houses in the most spectacular and outlandish Christmas decorations possible. Nothing is too elaborate: thousands of lights, light-up figurines, and other unique trimmings splash the facades of these properties. You’ve never seen Christmas decorations like these before; it truly must be seen to be believed.

New York City has much to experience in every season. In fact, we’ve collected a list of our favorite annual events in the City That Never Sleeps. What are your favorite New York holiday traditions?