With the holiday season really kicking it into gear in NYC, you’ll find no shortage of fun and festive activities come December. Making a trip to New York during this month is bound to yield you a bounty of events to go to and things to do. Let’s have a look at some of our favorite things and what to do in NYC in December.
Visit the Winter and Holiday Markets
Winter is when a plethora of holiday markets open for business in NYC. One of the most popular winter markets is the one held by Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, which primarily sells handmade accessories and goods. Another popular location is the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, located at Central Park South, and which offers a romantic ambience with more than a hundred holiday booths. Then there’s the European Union Square Holiday Market, for those of you who feel there’s just not enough Europe in NYC. Here, you’ll find local artists ready to show their skills off, along with 150 excellent food vendors. FYI, it’s a great place to shop for a Christmas present!
New Years Eve in Times Square
December is a popular time for people to fly to NYC, particularly on New Year’s Eve. There’s just something magical about the entire experience of standing in the freezing temperatures of Times Square, waiting for the live ball drop. And then of course there are the fantastic live performances courtesy of famous faces. It’s a party and no mistake, but we recommend you arrive for this particular ball a little early. And by early, we mean 3 pm! Otherwise you’re just going to get stuck in the foot traffic, especially as the roads around the celebration will be closed off. Don’t worry, though, you’ll find plenty to do and celebrate as you walk around.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a goal involves more than 140 breathtaking dancers perform a ton of Christmas songs in sparkling costumes on a uniquely designed set. It’s a show that causes much excitement among audiences every year. The all-women dance group “The Rockettes” steal the show as they perform next to Santa and the elves. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starts in November and continues all the way to January, but it’s just special watching it on the days surrounding Christmas. Getting a ticket should be pretty easy, since there at up to 3 performances daily.
Lighting Up the Largest Hanukkah Menorahs in the World
December in New York is near synonymous with Christmas trees (especially at the Rockefeller Centre) and all things Santa. However, you can also see the prevalence of Hanukkah everywhere too. The Jewish Festival of Lights begins on the 2nd of December, and kicks off in NYC with the largest Menorah in the world being lighted. It’s a 32 foot structure that weighs in at 400 pounds, making it a spectacular sight when viewed from either Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza or Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel.
