When the Christmas season finally comes around there are many places to enjoy the Christmas season but there is only one place that most of the people prefer: New York. During the Christmas festive period, this city never sleeps and you will get to see the transformation of a simple city into a winter wonderland. The city would be filled with lights, music, and many fun activities which will make you feel like a Santa Claus in some Christmas movie.
Who doesn’t want to explore? So, if you also want to witness the best of New York’s Christmas holiday season, then here we are! This guide is specially curated for you to ensure you witness the iconic spots that will bring your life to worth. We suggest you to enjoy at least once in your lifetime. From Christmas themed clubs, jazz clubs and holiday-themed bars to light displays, festive treats, and Christmas markets— here’s what you need to know.
1. Check out the Christmas lights
The first thing to do is to check out the Christmas lights. The Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center is one of the authentic christmas symbols in any pop culture. The tradition starts when a 20-foot tree was set up by the construction workers during the Christmas season. Now, the height of that tree is over 70 feet tall and it is decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. The tree now has become the one of the must-see in NYC holiday.
When you are visiting the Rockefeller Center then we suggest you to once visit the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday lights. The store’s front is decorated yearly with a festive light. The shows with music also create a magical scene by Rockefeller Center.
Another on the list of must-see sets of lights is the Dyker Heights Christmas lights in Brooklyn. This area is very famous for its displays. The homes in these areas are covered in thousands of sparkling lights, nutcrackers, and big inflatable Santas. Interesting right?
2. Visit holiday-themed bars and restaurants
If you are going to New York in the Christmas season then you should go to Victorian Christmas at Oscar Wilde NYC. It is a bar that is named after an iconic writer. Decorated with antique pieces and covered with Christmas decorations and over-the-top decor, the bar provides a vintage and cozy atmosphere which is perfect for the season.
If you want to visit some other bar, then one of the famous bars is at New York’s waterfront. You should surely check out Santa’s Winter Wonderland. This bar gives you proper festive vibes filled with Christmas decor. You will witness everything from life-sized Santas to sparkling trees. Sounds Magical right? The bar offers festive food, themed cocktails, and a mesmerizing view of the East River which makes it a perfect spot to soak in the season.
Do you want to explore the oldest bar in NYC? Then you should surely visit Pete’s Tavern. It is widely known as one of the oldest bars in NYC, Pete’s Tavern is a treasure during winter. Pete’s creates a warm atmosphere with its timeless ambiance and classic Christmas decor inviting vibe that feels like stepping back in time.
3. Catch a holiday-themed jazz show
The next thing to do is to visit a holiday show. Some of the special holiday shows also feature world-famous artists. One example of that is Birdland Jazz Club. It is an iconic spot for jazz lovers, especially during the Christmas season. Birdland creates a soulful vibe that brings the seasonal spirit alive.
If you want to enjoy a cozy vibe and legendary lineup, then you should not miss Blue Note, which is always held in Greenwich Village. This spot provides exciting jazz shows that combine holiday classics with smooth improvisation. It is the perfect place to escape the cold winter season and lose yourself in the music of this show.
Another event that you can’t miss throughout December is the Big Band Holidays jazz show. It will be held in Lincoln Center. For over many years, this exciting concert series has displayed holiday classics with some jazzy twists performed by some top musicians.
4. Shop the Christmas markets
The next thing you should do is to shop from the local Christmas market. Bryant Park’s Winter Village is one of the holiday favorites. It offers an open-air market that is filled mostly with unique gifts, cute decorations, and seasonal treats. It is also surrounded by a beautiful ice skating rink. So, this market brings a cozy and vintage charm to midtown.
Are you fond of art? If so then you should must visit the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. The artisanal crafts blend with festive cheer at Columbus Circle Holiday Market. It is located right at the entrance to the Central Park. It is filled with dozens of stalls that offer handmade goods, charming decor, and seasonal foods, which makes it a must-visit for holiday shopping.
The next on the list is Union Square Holiday Market. It is also a worth-visit place. It is considered as one of NYC’s most popular holiday markets. It is filled with rows of sparkling red-and-white stalls and packed with shopkeepers offering anything from handcrafted jewelry to delicious sweets.
5. Enjoy a festive treat
The first ever spot on your food list should be Balthazar. Balthazar is a place where you can get their famous Yule Log, which is a dessert available at the Soho bakery. This sweet treat is a blend of rich chocolate layers with festive decorations which makes it the perfect and the best centerpiece for Christmas. It is simply a well-earned treat for you after a hectic day of shopping.
Don’t freeze yourself in this snow, warm up with the delicious hot chocolate or cool down yourself with their famous frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3. A delicious advice to pair it with the café’s cozy atmosphere and now you have achieved a dreamy NYC festive experience.
Last but not the least, do not miss the famous Christmas cronut from the famous bakery, Dominique Ansel Bakery. Try their seasonal spin on their world-famous cronut. The cronut is a flaky and a sweet creation that often features unique holiday flavors. We bet you it would be a true delight for your taste buds.