NYC Holidays

1. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade during NYC holidays

The annual pageantry of balloons, floats, cheerleaders, bands, celebrities and performers is one of the best events of the NYC holidays. Come travel on a package with Bucket List Events.

2. Ice Skating and Christmas Trees

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is unveiled and lit in early December as a symbol of the NYC holidays season. Tourists and native New Yorkers love the tree, which is typically a Norway spruce.

Ice skating is one of the best NYC holidays traditions, particularly at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. Every year, The Rink at Rockefeller Center welcomes the holiday season with skating under a golden Prometheus. The Winter Village at Bryant Park features NYC holidays festivities, shopping and food. Its 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink is the highlight, while about 60 shopping and food kiosks are there also— all at one of the best NYC parks. There are other popular ice rinks, including Industry City in Brooklyn.

3. Take a holiday stroll

Just before Thanksgiving, the Herald Square store will unveil its annual window theme. Shoppers will be able to catch a glimpse of the six windows on the Broadway side of the Herald Square flagship until January 1. Other department store NYC holidays displays include Bloomingdale’s, Saks, Tiffany & Co., and Barneys. You could also hit Randall’s Island after dark for the Luminocity Festival, with light displays and a holiday market, or see Staten Island’s Winter Lantern Festival featuring over 1,000 lanterns sculpted into luminescent art. Or just take a walk in Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Long Island City waterfront, or a lesser known NYC park.

4. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display has earned its stripes as one of the best New York attractions. What’s not to love about all that Christmas spirit? The Kings County neighborhood in Brooklyn is home to the most over-the-top Christmas light decorations with life-size Santas, sleighs, snowmen and some houses blaring Christmas carols from loudspeakers. Crowds of all ages wander down the multiple blocks and avenues.

5. Get show tickets to celebrate NYC Holidays

The Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular are a holiday classic. Broadway shows don’t take off for the holidays, and plenty more play the following day.

6. Play tourist

One World Observatory, the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock are open and might not be as crowded as usual. You can also take a sail on the Circle Line, or visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.