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Must do in New York City this season
Highlights
The holiday season in NYC is a special time: the City\'s streets, store windows and social calendar take on added vibrancy and conviviality. There is plenty to see and do, and many of the celebratory and seasonal events are free, including the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, the lighting of the world\'s largest Hanukkah menorahs and the Times Square Ball Drop.
The holiday season in NYC is a special time: the City's streets, store windows and social calendar take on added vibrancy and conviviality. There is plenty to see and do, and many of the celebratory and seasonal events are free, including the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, the lighting of the world's largest Hanukkah menorahs and the Times Square Ball Drop.
Families will love the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal as well as the amazing New York Botanical Garden version, which features more than 150 New York City landmarks re-created using bark, leaves and other plant pieces. Now in its 82nd year, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular features the world-famous Rockettes. And for some one-of-a-kind gifts, visit one of the City's many holiday markets, where mom-and-pop vendors sell clothing, jewelry, household items and specialty foods. Read on for further details about these and many other events.
Holiday Markets
November–December
There's no shortage of shopping in New York City at any time of the year; just visit our fashion calendar for proof. But holiday shopping is an exceptional experience here, with all the lights and window displays on view and the general merriment that abounds. While stores certainly carry some holiday gems, you're best off grabbing a hot drink and carrying it to one of NYC's many outdoor holiday markets—where you'll find an assortment of homemade wares from craftspeople and mom-and-pop shops that should cover everyone on your list. The biggest and best selections can be found at the Union Square Holiday Market, the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park, the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair or the Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
November 13–January 3, 2016
This iconic song-and-dance extravaganza, featuring the legendary Rockettes, is one of the holiday season's must-see attractions. This year's show combines such classic scenes as "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "New York at Christmas" with all-new numbers and cutting-edge digital projection and digital mapping technology, which transforms Radio City Music Hall's interior into a giant canvas. Certain dates throughout the season are designated as "Santa hat" days, when free hats are given out to theatergoers.
Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal
November 14–February 21, 2016
The New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store at Grand Central Terminal is back with its 14th annual Holiday Train Show, whose layout features Lionel trains traveling through a two-level, 34-foot-long miniature New York City and countryside scene. Vintage trains from the museum's collection, including New York Central models, travel all the way to the diorama's North Pole.
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
November 21–January 18, 2016
Model trains navigate painstakingly crafted miniatures of New York City's built environment, all made entirely out of plant parts. The Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium and more than 150 other landmarks form a fantastically rendered City landscape built from seeds, bark, leaves and twigs, serviced by a robust quarter mile of track, all nestled underneath the glass ceilings of the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. This year, 3,000 feet of additional space have been added to the exhibition, making room for more trains and a multisensory light and sound show.
Origami Holiday Tree
November 23–January 10, 2016
Holiday decor gets a historical makeover with the American Museum of Natural History's annual Origami Holiday Tree. The museum draws inspiration from its own items for the 1,000 folded-paper works, constructed by volunteers beginning in March; this year’s focus is on life forms both big and small, with exhibitions Life at the Limits: Stories of Amazing Species (up now), The Secret World Inside You andDinosaurs Among Us (both forthcoming) serving as touchstones. After exploring the permanent exhibition halls, current shows and expansive collections, see which pieces made their way onto the 13-foot tree.
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
November 27–January 3, 2016

It's likely you already know the fanciful, fantastical Christmas Eve story and Tchaikovsky's unforgettable melodies—but it's certain that no New York City holiday season is complete without seeing Balanchine's confection come to life. The glittering classic, performed annually by the New York City Ballet since 1954, has become one of the City's signature family-friendly traditions. Expect to warm your spirit with visions of the Sugarplum Fairy dancing in your head.
Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square
November 30
Once again, the neighborhood around Lincoln Square serves as the setting for the City's largest one-night holiday festival. Beginning with a tree lighting in Dante Park, Winter's Eve festivities also include many street performers, food from some of the 'hood's best restaurants and fun activities, inside and out, for kids and grown-ups alike.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
December 2–January 6, 2016

It doesn't get more picture-postcard NYC Christmas than the sight of the stately Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, towering above the ice rink below, all decked out in its finest holiday bling. Things get festive on the evening of December 2, when thousands of revelers fill the area for the lighting of this year's Norway spruce. A star-studded lineup, usually hosted by NBC Today show anchors, provides plenty of live entertainment. The crowning moment comes when the switch is flipped and the Swarovski star–topped tree's tens of thousands of (energy-efficient LED) lights come alive. Expect plenty of "oohs" and "ahs" from the crowd. If you can't make it to the big event, worry not—you can see the tree (and snap plenty of photos of it) through early January.
Lighting of the World's Largest Hanukkah Menorahs
December 6–13

Both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Grand Army Plazas serve as host to competitors in the race for World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah. Gather around the 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel holiday icon across the street from The Plaza hotel (Manhattan) to kick off the annual Jewish Festival of Lights; lightings for that one generally take place at 5:30pm, though Friday's is around 3:30pm and Saturday's at 8pm, bookending the Sabbath. Across the East River, go to the traffic circle at the top of Prospect Park to see its rival illuminated; lightings are at 6pm most evenings, with Wednesday's and Friday's at 3pm and Saturday's at 7pm.
New York Road Runners Midnight Run
December 31

The 4-mile New Year's run through Central Park starts at the stroke of midnight at the first sight of fireworks (what better way to kick off those resolutions?); the ramble through the park is preceded by dancing as well as a costume parade and contest.
Times Square Ball Drop
December 31

Celebrate the arrival of 2016 with the annual Times Square Ball Drop. Nothing compares with the exhilaration of watching the fete from the streets, plus you can catch music and other performances before and after midnight. Stay tuned for the official announcement about the headlining peformer (last year's was Taylor Swift). It's best to get to Times Square as early as possible in the day; street closures begin during the midafternoon and the choicest spots are usually filled by 3pm or earlier.
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