Why spend the Christmas holidays in New York?
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During the holiday season, New York is a magical city! There is no other place where the magic of Christmas is so present: houses and shops are dressed in lights, traditional songs resound everywhere. Between winter markets, shows, Central Park ice skating and hot chocolate, New York promises you an exceptional Christmas vacation!
Spend your Christmas holidays in New York for the illuminations
As Christmas approaches, New York lights on!
- The Rockefeller Center tree. The tradition of the illuminated tree has existed since 1933. The tree is at least 20m high and is decorated with luminous decorations with a sublime crystal star on top.
The tree remains in place throughout December and early January. It is lit from 6pm to midnight and throughout Christmas day.
At the foot of the tree, the esplanade hosts an ephemeral skating rink where you can make arabesques on the ice between the buildings of Manhattan! - The decorated shop windows of the department stores. From mid-November to early January, stores compete for creativity to amaze you! Each store develops an original theme.
Among the brands not to be missed: Bloomingdale’s, Barneys, Saks Five Avenue, Tiffany, Bergdorf Goofman, etc. And at Macy’s, Santa Claus himself is waiting for you! - Brooklyn lights. The Dyker Heights neighborhood is the most decorated. Since the 1980s, residents have been using imaginative treasures to decorate facades and gardens.
To not miss any of this magic, join the guided tour, Brooklyn Christmas Light Tours. 
Spend your Christmas vacation in New York for shopping
For family shopping there are obviously the department stores but also the various Christmas markets in the city. You will find gifts for young and old and often treats: waffles, cider and hot chocolate, etc.
- The holiday shops in Bryant Park. The market is made up of a hundred small chalets (hence the other name The Winter Village) organized around an ice rink.
- Union Square Party Market. Located in the heart of Manhattan, it is animated by singers.
- Columbus Circle Holiday Fair. A gigantic market located on the southwest corner of Central Park.
- Holiday Fair à Grand Central Terminal. It has the advantage of being inside the station, so you will stay warm!
If most Christmas markets end on December 24th, sales start on December 26th!
Spend your Christmas vacation in New York to attend a show
New York is famous for its shows and musicals.
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular des Rockettes. This is the unmissable Christmas show. A typically American grandiose show that has been playing since 1933! A show for the whole family with music, dancing, play of light and a pinch of humor. The Rockettes are one of the most prestigious dance companies in America.
- The Nutcracker Ballet. This magical performance, which is supposed to take place on Christmas Eve, has become a New York City Ballet holiday tradition. Tchaikovsky’s music and Balanchine’s staging are a hymn to fantasy. To see with the family.
- Broadway musical. In one of the theaters lining the famous boulevard, you can choose from The Lion King, Aladdin, The Phantom of the Opera, Weckel (a prequel to The Wizard of Oz), etc.
- NBA games. Watching a basketball league game is an unforgettable experience. Even if sport isn’t your favorite, every game at Madison Square Garden (where the New York Knicks play) or Barclays Center (where the Brooklyn Nets play) is a party with music and entertainment.
Keep in mind that these shows are often sold out. Remember to book your seats in advance.
Spend your Christmas holidays in New York discovering its museums and exhibitions
In winter, the cold can be bitter in New York. Spending time in one of the city’s many museums or attending an exhibition is a pleasant and cultural alternative!
Museums for adults and children. The choice is excellent between the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) which is the largest, the Guggenheim Museum which is the most original, the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), the Museum of American Art (Whitney Museum of American Art).
Not to mention the Natural History Museum or the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum installed on an aircraft carrier.
For children. Opt for a visit to the zoo. The two New York zoos (Bronx and Queens) are getting in tune with Christmas with activities such as ice sculptures, Christmas choirs or handing out a special Christmas menu to local residents!
Unless they prefer the miniature trains that run around the city’s iconic landmarks (Holiday train show at the Bronx Botanical Gardens) or transit to the North Pole (Grand Central Terminal Holiday Train Show in the New York Transit Museum Annex in Brooklyn).
Spend an unforgettable Christmas and New Year in New York
- December 25th or Christmas Day in New York. It is the only day of the year when the city calms down and lives in slow motion. Most of the shops are closed and it is even difficult to find a place to eat! A great opportunity to visit the city and especially Central Park where you can have fun on the skating rink. And with a little luck there could be snow to magnify the Big Apple …
- New Year’s Eve in New York. Going from one year to the next in Times Square is an unforgettable experience if you’re not afraid of crowds! To be sure to enjoy the countdown, the descent of the crystal ball and the flight of confetti at midnight, you must arrive in the early afternoon. But between the shows and the fireworks, the atmosphere is delusional. Remember to cover yourself well …
