Christmas in New York
Your cultural agenda for December 2026
Nothing conjures New York’s holiday season more than crisp, chilly days, the occasional snow flurry and the warm glow of garland-wrapped shopfronts. From skating at Rockefeller Center and shopping in SoHo to catching Balanchine's iconic The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center and the Rockettes' annual Christmas Spectacular, our round-up of the best the city has to offer promises to make this time of year truly memorable.
Winter Village at Bryant Park
until 3 january
For an alternative to the traditional options, head to this enormous free-admission ice-skating rink, located in the shadow of the New York Public Library. Skate rentals are reduced during off-peak hours and a plethora of festive cafés and restaurants are on hand to inject additional seasonal spirit. Visit early in the morning and you’ll share the rink with many a city dweller taking a spin here before heading to the office.
42nd Street and 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10018
The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet
27 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
No festive calendar in New York would be complete without a trip to Lincoln Center for George Balanchine's celebrated production of The Nutcracker. First staged in 1954, this version has become a seasonal institution, enchanting generations with its swirling snowflakes, towering Christmas tree and Tchaikovsky's much-loved score. Featuring more than 150 performers, from members of the New York City Ballet to students of the School of American Ballet, it captures the sense of wonder that defines the season. Even for those who know the story by heart, few experiences feel quite as quintessentially New York at Christmas. Book evening tickets and arrive early to admire Lincoln Center's illuminated fountain and festive decorations before the curtain rises.
20 Lincoln Center, New York, NY 10023
Carols & Christmas Markets at The Church of Sweden
20 November - 24 december (excluding Thanksgiving)
The city’s melting pot of cultures is one of its biggest draws at this time of year. For an unexpected take, try its bustling European winter market scene right in the heart of the city. Hidden inside a century-old church in Midtown, you’ll find a Nordic winter wonderland showcasing Swedish crafts, classic Dala horse decorations, homeware and linens. Stop at the café for classic cardamom and saffron buns, traditional open sandwiches and an array of seasonal bakes.
The church holds its traditional St. Luca concerts on 13 December at St. Mary the Virgin in Manhattan. The concerts take place at 2.30pm (with the children's choir) and 6pm (without the children's choir).
5 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
Christmas Shopping in SoHo
november - december
In the heart of downtown Manhattan, a stone’s throw from Crosby Street Hotel, Christmas takes on a different vibe. The area’s cast iron, nineteenth-century architecture and cobbled streets act as an ideal foil to stores whose displays are more Modernist and design-forward than their traditional Fifth Avenue counterparts.
Start at Prince Street, dipping in and out of its blend of high-end boutiques like Moncler and Miu Miu and beloved independents, including Thirteen Crosby, a treasure trove of vintage fashion and bags, and McNally Jackson with its gift ideas and a brilliant selection of books. Wander the surrounding blocks, taking in the MoMA Design Store, ideal for ultra-modern homeware, including accessories, barware, flatware and art prints. For a festive pit stop, make a beeline to MarieBelle Soho on Broome Street to sample the upscale brand’s velvety hot chocolate.
The Rockettes at Radio City Hall
4 November 2026 - 4 january 2027
With their 1925 St. Louis origins, the Rockettes (originally known as the Missouri Rockets) have become a festive city staple, a troupe inspired by the UK Tiller Girls and now featuring a precision line of 36 dancers. Radio City’s annual Christmas Spectacular, at which they headline, blends contemporary updates, including LED backdrops, with elements that have been unchanged since the original 1933 opening night. Look out for hundreds of high kicks, each aiming for absolute uniformity.
1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
Visit the 'Christmas and the City' Store
ALL YEAR ROUND
Some of the best-kept secrets in the city are hidden in plain sight. New Yorkers and visitors alike have been heading to this shop in Little Italy for decades. Bedecked year-round in red and white candy stripes, the Mulberry Street staple offers a festive more-is-more approach, complete with thousands of original tree decorations (including options for handwritten personalisation), snow globes and, downstairs, a life-size Santa’s workshop – perfect for family visits.
142 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
until MARCH 2027
A postcard-worthy emblem of New York, the rink at the Rockefeller Centre has been drawing crowds since its opening in 1936. However, a festive visit is about so much more than ice skating. Presided over by the gilded statue of Prometheus, Rockefeller’s enormous tree, and surrounded by the Midtown skyline, this is the place where the spirit of the season really comes into its own. Get involved in the action or simply book a rink-side private chalet to watch the skating over a drink.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
Watch 'A Christmas Carol' at PAC NYC
20 November 2026 - 2 January 2027
Just a short walk from Warren Street Hotel, Lower Manhattan’s Perelman Performing Arts Center, an impressive, dramatically contemporary new-build, is worth a visit in its own right, housing three theatre spaces and a lobby-level restaurant, bar and terrace. This season, The Old Vic’s much-praised musical production of A Christmas Carol returns to the stage, offering a magical interpretation of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. Immersive in spirit, it wraps the audience around the action, invoking the holiday spirit in all.
251 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10007
Union Square Holiday Market
12 November - 24 December
A relaxed twenty-minute stroll from Crosby Street Hotel, the city’s largest holiday market features nearly 200 stalls replete with gift ideas from craftspeople and artisans, including jewellery, clothing, artwork, ceramics, homeware, baked goods and chocolate. Nestled within this historic public park and surrounded by atmospheric high-rises, this is a creative intersection between new and old. Avoid the crowds by shopping here on a weekday.
Union Square Park, New York, NY 10003
Christmas Windows on Fifth Avenue
late November - December
Imaginative 3D scenes, handcrafted details and a sense of theatre have underscored the city’s lavish shopfronts for well over a century at this time of year, including the original ‘grand illumination’ advertised at Macy’s in 1874. Fifth Avenue’s stores, from Tiffany’s to Bergdorf Goodman, create a world of shopfront wonder and fantasy - seen as public art - for both shoppers and passers-by to enjoy. Visit from late November, or even better, book a tour of the city’s lights and festive shopfronts, taking in everything from Saks to lesser-known gems tucked down the city’s side streets.