Attending one of Mariah Carey’s Christmas concerts at the Beacon Theatre December 5 – 14 isn’t going to qualify as cheap entertainment in anyone’s book. But, if you do want to be in the audience for one of the pop diva’s holiday shows, there’s an offer available from Goldstar that can save you a little money.
The concerts are December 5, 7, 8, 13 and 14. Goldstar’s ticket prices are $60.50 to $156 ($73.25 to $182.74) for tickets regularly $77.35 to $187.70. Not a huge discount, but it’s something.
It’s time for our annual round-up of New York City holiday activities and entertainment. Each year we provide information on some of the best things to do in NYC during the Christmas season. And since this website is all about experiencing the best of NYC for less, we emphasize things to do that are free, inexpensive, or for which discounts are available.
We’ll keep this page updated as more information about the 2016 season becomes available.
Check additional online event resources such as TimeOut and the Official NYC Guide at nycgo.com to find more events.
Dates, hours of operation, and fees should be verified with the official websites.
For hotels, try TheRealPlaces.com. Their listings of hotels near NYC theaters and landmarks makes it easy to find a convenient place to stay.
Music, Entertainment, and Events
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Santa’s arrival at the end of this big Thanksgiving Day parade helps usher in the holiday season. Thousands and thousands of people line the parade route each year to see the bands, floats, and giant balloons go by. The 2016 parade date is November 24th and the start time is 9:00 a.m.. The parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, turns at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South, continues to 6th Avenue, then continues south along 6th Avenue until it gets to the end at 34th Street (Macy’s Herald Square).
You can see the Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons inflated outside the American Museum of Natural History on the night before the parade. It’s a great opportunity to see the balloons up close, but lots people show up to see the inflation, so be prepared for lines and crowds.
Handel’s Messiah – Enjoy the New York Philharmonic’s performance of this classical masterpiece. Performances are December 13 – 17, 2016 at Lincoln Center.
Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square – Annual street festival that stretches along Broadway from the Time Warner Center to 68th Street. There’s lots of free entertainment and performances, plus food tastings from neighborhood restaurants. November 28, 2016.
Caroling at Washington Square Park – Christmas Eve caroling under the Washington Square Arch is an annual tradition. The caroling usually starts at 5:00 p.m. but watch for an official announcement on the Washington Square Association website.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – This is the big one – and it really is a big tree. The tree, lights and decorations at Rockefeller Center are beautiful and a must-see for any holiday season visit to New York City. The tree lighting event will take place on November 30, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The tree stays lit until 11:30 each night until the lights go off at 9:00 p.m. on January 7th, 2017. Free.
The Origami Tree at the American Museum of Natural History – The holiday tree at the American Museum of Natural History is decorated with a collection of paper-folded origami ornaments. The theme for the ornaments changes each year. It’s a unique and beautiful display. Admission to the museum is free during the last hour of operation each day (4:45 – 5:45), so that’s a good time to visit if you just want to see the tree.
Metropolitan Museum Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche – This beautiful tree is decorated with cherubs and angels and a classic Nativity scene is arranged beneath. Lighting ceremonies are held each day, visit the museum website for details. The museum operates on a recommended admission policy, with a recommendation of $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, $12 for students, and free admission for children under 12.
Bryant Park Tree – There’s a big tree next to the skating rink at Bryant Park. The ice skating rink here is free (there’s a charge to rent skates if you don’t have your own). This park also features a very nice holiday market with little shops nestled in between the park’s trees. Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Free.
Park Avenue Memorial Trees – Fir trees along Park Avenue are lit each year in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives at war. This tradition began in 1946 when a group of Park Avenue families lit trees in honor of those lost in WWII. The Brick Church at the corner of Park Avenue and 91st Street holds a tree lighting ceremony and carol sing on the night of the first Sunday in December. The trees stretch along Park Avenue from 54th to 96th Streets. The 2016 tree lighting date has not yet been announced. Free.
Star Display at the Time Warner Center
The New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree – A tree has been decorated in front of the NYSE each year since 1923. The tree is located on Broad Street, between Wall Street and Exchange Place. Free.
Washington Square Park Christmas Tree – This tree has a spectacular location, right at the foot of the iconic Washington Square Arch. The park is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. The park also has a popular holiday market. Free.
Lincoln Center Tree – There’s always a nice holiday tree in the plaza in front of Lincoln Center. It’s a pretty setting with the fountain and Lincoln Center’s lighted architecture in the background. While you’re in the neighborhood, pay a visit to the Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium, located on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. This public space is open until 10:00 nightly, has free wifi, restrooms, a cafe, free music on Thursdays, and is the box office for discount tickets to same-week performances at Lincoln Center venues. Free.
Holiday Under the Stars at The Time Warner Center – Twelve large stars suspended from the ceiling of the Time Warner Center atrium shift colors in a display choreographed to holiday music. The Time Warner Center is located across from Columbus Circle, where you’ll find an outdoor holiday market. November 29 – December 24, 2016. Free.
South Street Seaport Tree and Ice Rink. There’s a Christmas tree and ice skating rink each year at Fulton Street, between Water and South Streets. The 2016 tree lighting ceremony is November 29.
Holiday Train Show
Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens – Think train shows aren’t your thing? You might want to re-think that. This train show is special. Trains run around a landscape of real plants and detailed replicas of New York City’s landmarks, created completely out of natural plant material. It all takes place in the nice warm conservatory building of the New York Botanical Gardens. November 19, 2016 – January 16, 2017.
Store Window Holiday Displays – Elaborate holiday window displays are a long-standing tradition in New York City. Macy’s, Saks, Lord & Taylor, Tiffany, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale’s are some of the best. If you’re traveling with children, see Mommy Poppins’ “NYC Holiday Windows Walk 2013: Seeing Department Store Christmas Displays with Kids” for good information and photos. And don’t just look in the windows at Macy’s, the interior of the store has great decorations, including the famous Santaland.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center – This is the most famous, and most crowded of the city’s skating rinks. If it’s always been your dream to skate at Rockefeller Center, you show go for it. And if you’re not much of a skater, the rink and surrounding decorations are still something worth seeing. The rink opens for the 2016 season October 8th.
Wollman Rink in Central Park– This is probably the second most famous ice rink in the city. It’s a large rink located near the southern entrance to Central Park, where the city’s skyline provides a picturesque background. Try to go during the week when the rink is less crowded and the fees are lower. 2016 dates have not been announced yet, but the rink usually opens in late October and stays open through early April.
Bryant Park Ice Skating – Skating at Bryant Park is free. The 170′ x 100′ rink here is smaller than the one a Central Park, but larger than the rink at Rockefeller Center. The park also has a nice holiday market. Bryant Park is located right behind the Main Branch of the New York Public Library, so you can stop by there to see the tree in Astor Hall and the wreaths decorating the lion statues at the entrance. October 29, 2016 – March 5, 2017.
South Street Seaport Ice Rink – There’s an open-air skating rink at the corner of Fulton and Front Streets. The 2016 dates have not been announced yet.
Holiday Markets
Holiday shops and tree at Bryant Park
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park– The glass-enclosed structures that house the shops at the Bryant Park holiday market allow shoppers an opportunity to get out of the cold. There are over a hundred little boutique-type shops set up along the park’s pathways. The glass shops nestled in among the park’s trees makes a very pretty setting. There’s also a skating rink and large Christmas tree here. October 29, 2016 – January 2, 2017.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market– This outdoor market has a great location, right at the southern end of Central Park. Combine shopping here with a trip to nearby Wollman Rink in Central Park or the lights display in the Time Warner Center. Open daily, November 29 – December 24, 2016.
Union Square Holiday Market– Vendors of gift and food items sell their wares from temporary outdoor stalls topped with red & white striped awnings. The scene at this popular market is reminiscent of European Christmas markets. Open daily, November 17 – December 24, 2016 in Union Square Park, Greenwich Village.
Grand Central Holiday Fair – Grand Central’s indoor holiday market is a good way to escape from the cold. About 40 vendors sell a variety of goods in Vanderbilt Hall. Open daily from November 4 – December 24, 2016.
There are several different performances of The Nutcracker Ballet to choose from this 2016 holiday season. Details on each are listed below. Additional performances and discount information will be added as it becomes available.
The New York City Ballet performs George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center November 25 – December 31, 2016.
Gelsey Kirkland Ballet The Nutcracker. A traditional version of the ballet put on by a former ballerina with the New York City Ballet. At the GK Arts Center in Brooklyn (DUMBO). December 8 – 11 & 15 – 18, 2016.
The Yorkville Nutcracker. Dances Patrelle’s version of The Nutcracker is set in 1895 New York City, with scenes in Gracie Mansion and Central Park. December 8 – 11, 2016 at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue (Park Avenue between E 68th and E 69th Streets).
Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker. A one hour version of The Nutcracker, in Art Nouveau style circa 1907 and performed the Tchaikovsky’s classic score. At Florence Gould Hall, 55 E 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues. December 10 & 11, 2016.
Mark Morris Dance Group presents The Hard Nut. A retro-modern re-imagining of The Nutcracker set in the 1970s and based on the original The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A Hoffmann and the comic book art of Charles Burns, using the original full score by Tchaikovsky. December 10, 11 & 14 – 18, 2016. At BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY).
Staten Island Ballet Nutcracker. This version takes place in 1915 New York. At the Center for the Arts, College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY. December 17 & 18, 2016.
Holiday Train show at The New York Botanical Gardens
The New York Botanical Garden’s holiday train show is a well-loved NYC holiday tradition. This isn’t your average model train show. All the little buildings are replicas of NYC landmarks, and they’re all made out of plant materials. The level of detail they achieve is wonderful. The 2015 – 2016 dates for the train show are November 21, 2015 – January 18, 2016.
The buildings are arranged in settings with real plants. Model trains make their way through the display. It’s all set up in the Conservatory building, where it’s nice and warm (tip: dress in layers – it may be cold outside, but the conservatory is always warm).
Weekend and Peak Day tickets are regularly $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $28 for students with an ID, and $18 for children ages 2 – 12. (Peak days are December 14 – January 1). It’s cheaper to go on a weekday when tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $18 for students with an ID, and $10 for children ages 2 – 12.
In addition to the train show, there are concerts, poetry readings and other events and activities scheduled. The popular Box Car Nights also return this season, with special entertainment, activities, and treats for adults 21 and over.
LivingSocial has discount weekday tickets to the train show ($16 for adults and $8 for children) as well as discount tickets for Bar Car Nights ($29). See the offer details.
Additional discount opportunities will be posted if they become available.
This is a very popular event and it sells out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.
It’s time for our annual round-up of New York City holiday activities and entertainment. Each year we provide information on some of the best things to do in NYC during the Christmas season. And since this website is all about experiencing the best of NYC for less, we emphasize things to do that are free, inexpensive, or for which discounts are available.
We’ll keep this page updated as more information about the 2015 season becomes available.
Check additional online event resources such as TimeOut and the Official NYC Guide at nycgo.com to find more events.
Dates, hours of operation, and fees should be verified with the official websites.
For hotels, try TheRealPlaces.com. Their listings of hotels near NYC theaters and landmarks helps with finding a convenient place to stay.
Music, Entertainment, and Events
Radio City Music Hall
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Santa’s arrival at the end of this big Thanksgiving Day parade helps usher in the holiday season. Thousands and thousands of people line the parade route each year to see the bands, floats, and giant balloons go by. The 2015 parade date is November 26th. The parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, turns at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South, continues to 6th Avenuen, then continues south along 6th Avenue until it gets to the end at 34th Street (Macy’s Herald Square).
You can see the Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons inflated outside the American Museum of Natural History on the night before the parade. It’s a great opportunity to see the balloons up close, but lots people show up to see the inflation, so be prepared for lines and crowds.
Winter Solstice Celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine – December 17 – 19, 2015. A non-denominational celebration. This event is a contemporary take on ancient solstice rituals, featuring the Paul Winter Consort, gospel singer Theresa Thomason, Brazilian guitarist/singer Renato Braz, and other special guests.
Handel’s Messiah – Enjoy the New York Philharmonic’s performance of this classical masterpiece. Performances are December 15 – 19, 2015 at Lincoln Center.
Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square – Annual street festival that stretches along Broadway from the Time Warner Center to 68th Street. There’s lots of free entertainment and performances, plus food tastings from neighborhood restaurants. November 30, 2015.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – This is the big one – and it really is a big tree. The tree, lights and decorations at Rockefeller Center are beautiful and a must-see for any holiday season visit to New York City. The tree lighting event will take place on December 2, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The tree stays lit until 11:30 each night until the lights go off at 8:00 p.m. on January 6th, 2016. Free.
The Origami Tree at the American Museum of Natural History – The holiday tree at the American Museum of Natural History is decorated with a collection of paper-folded origami ornaments. The theme for the ornaments changes each year. It’s a unique and beautiful display. Admission to the museum is free during the last hour of operation each day (4:45 – 5:45), so that’s a good time to visit if you just want to see the tree.
Metropolitan Museum Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche – This beautiful tree is decorated with cherubs and angels and a classic Nativity scene is arranged beneath. Lighting ceremonies are held each day, visit the museum website for details. The museum operates on a recommended admission policy, with a recommendation of $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, $12 for students, and free admission for children under 12.
Bryant Park Tree – There’s a big tree next to the skating rink at Bryant Park. The ice skating rink here is free (there’s a charge to rent skates if you don’t have your own). This park also features a very nice holiday market with little shops nestled in between the park’s trees. Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Free.
Park Avenue Memorial Trees – Fir trees along Park Avenue are lit each year in memory of those who have sacrificed their lives at war. This tradition began in 1946 when a group of Park Avenue families lit trees in honor of those lost in WWII. The Brick Church at the corner of Park Avenue and 91st Street holds a tree lighting ceremony and carol sing on the night of the first Sunday in December. The trees stretch along Park Avenue from 54th to 96th Streets. Tree lighting: December 6, 2015. Free.
Star Display at the Time Warner Center
The New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree – A tree has been decorated in front of the NYSE each year since 1923. The tree is located on Broad Street, between Wall Street and Exchange Place. Free.
Washington Square Park Christmas Tree – This tree has a spectacular location, right at the foot of the iconic Washington Square Arch. The park is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village neighborhood. The park also has a popular holiday market. 2014 Tree Lighting is December 10th. Free.
Lincoln Center Tree – There’s always a nice holiday tree in the plaza in front of Lincoln Center. It’s a pretty setting with the fountain and Lincoln Center’s lighted architecture in the background. While you’re in the neighborhood, pay a visit to the Lincoln Center’s David Rubenstein Atrium, located on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. This public space is open until 10:00 nightly, has free wifi, restrooms, a cafe, free music on Thursdays, and is the box office for discount tickets to same-week performances at Lincoln Center venues. Free.
Holiday Under the Stars at The Time Warner Center – Twelve large stars suspended from the ceiling of the Time Warner Center atrium shift colors in a display choreographed to holiday music. The Time Warner Center is located across from Columbus Circle, where you’ll find an outdoor holiday market. November 13, 2014 – January 3, 2015. Free.
Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens – Think train shows aren’t your thing? You might want to re-think that. This train show is special. Trains run around a landscape of real plants and detailed replicas of New York City’s landmarks, created completely out of natural plant material. It all takes place in the nice warm conservatory building of the New York Botanical Gardens. November 21, 2015 – January 18, 2016.
Store Window Holiday Displays – Elaborate holiday window displays are a long-standing tradition in New York City. Macy’s, Saks, Lord & Taylor, Tiffany, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale’s are some of the best. If you’re traveling with children, see Mommy Poppins’ “NYC Holiday Windows Walk 2013: Seeing Department Store Christmas Displays with Kids” for good information and photos. And don’t just look in the windows at Macy’s, the interior of the store has great decorations, including the famous Santaland.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center – This is the most famous, and most crowded of the city’s skating rinks. If it’s always been your dream to skate at Rockefeller Center, you show go for it. And if you’re not much of a skater, the rink and surrounding decorations are still something worth seeing. October 10, 2015 – April 2016.
Wollman Rink in Central Park– This is probably the second most famous ice rink in the city. It’s a large rink located near the southern entrance to Central Park, where the city’s skyline provides a picturesque background. Try to go during the week when the rink is less crowded and the fees are lower. 2015 dates have not been announced yet, but the rink usually opens in late October and stays open through early April.
Bryant Park Ice Skating – Skating at Bryant Park is free. The 170′ x 100′ rink here is smaller than the one a Central Park, but larger than the rink at Rockefeller Center. The park also has a nice holiday market. Bryant Park is located right behind the Main Branch of the New York Public Library, so you can stop by there to see the tree in Astor Hall and the wreaths decorating the lion statues at the entrance. October 30, 2015 – March 6, 2016.
South Street Seaport Ice Rink – There’s an open-air skating rink at the corner of Fulton and Front Streets. The 2015 dates have not been announced yet.
Holiday Markets
Holiday shops and tree at Bryant Park
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park– The glass-enclosed structures that house the shops at the Bryant Park holiday market allow shoppers an opportunity to get out of the cold. There are over a hundred little boutique-type shops set up along the park’s pathways. The glass shops nestled in among the park’s trees makes a very pretty setting. There’s also a skating rink and large Christmas tree here. October 30, 2015 – January 3, 2016.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market– This outdoor market has a great location, right at the southern end of Central Park. Combine shopping here with a trip to nearby Wollman Rink in Central Park or the lights display in the Time Warner Center. Open daily, December 1 – 24, 2015.
Union Square Holiday Market– Vendors of gift and food items sell their wares from temporary outdoor stalls topped with red & white striped awnings. The scene at this popular market is reminiscent of European Christmas markets. Open daily, November 19 – December 24, 2015 in Union Square Park, Greenwich Village.
Grand Central Holiday Fair – Grand Central’s indoor holiday market is a good way to escape from the cold. There are 76 vendors selling a variety of goods. Open daily from November 16 – December 24, 2015. If you’re there in the evening, be sure to check out the light show on the windows in main concourse.
The 2016 show runs from November 11, 2016 – January 2, 2017.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is one of the hottest tickets of the NYC holiday season. There are several discount options available, so you’ll need to do a little shopping around the find the best deal on the performance date you want. The offers listed above are the current deals that we know about. More offers usually appear as the holiday season approaches, so check back here for updates. (Or sign up for the NYC Cheap Travel Newsletter to stay up-to-date on all featured NYC travel deals).
If you’re going to be in NYC Christmas Eve, head over to the Washington Square Arch from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the traditional singing of Christmas carols.
The Rob Susman Brass Quartet provides the music and leads the crowd in singing holiday favorites. The Washington Square Association hands out complementary song books.
The lighting of the top of the Empire State Building changes regularly to mark holidays and special events (see the official tower lights calendar). During the holiday season, the lights are blue and white with a candle flickering antenna in honor of Chanukah and red and green with red and white candy stripes in honor of Christmas.
At 7:00 p.m. Dececember 20 – 24, the top of the tower will light up with a special holiday music and light show with lights synched to music broadcast over iHeartMedia’s 106.7 Lite fm and via the iHeartRadio mobile app. Each of the shows will be different, with different music.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Musical” will play at the Theater at Madison Square Garden over the holiday season this year. Performance dates are December 5th – December 28th. Regular priced tickets range from $40 to $160.
Goldstar has discount tickets available for select performances. They have Orchestra section tickets for $58.00 ($69.25 after fees are added in). Full-price for these seats is $85.00. See the Goldstar offer details.
Season of Savings has a promo code for discounted tickets to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. You can use the code for $55 Center Orchestra tickets or $69 Prime tickets. After the service fees are added, the total prices are $73.40 and $88.36. To avoid some of the service fees, you print out the offer and take it to the Theater at Madison Square Garden box office and purchase your tickets in person.
This offer from the New York Philharmonic is good for December 8 & 9, 2014. Order your tickets for Holidays with the Philharmonic, Holiday Brass, or Handel’s Messiah at the Philharmonic’s website and use promo code “HOLIDAY1415” to save 25% on your order.
Holidays with the Philharmonic – Holiday concert with holiday favorites and “The Night Before Christmas” with Whoopi Goldberg (December 19) and Mo Rocca (December 20). Performances are December 19th at 8:00 p.m. and December 20th at 2:00 p.m.
Handel’s “Messiah” – December 16, 17, and 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Holiday Brass – New York Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble. December 14 at 3:00 p.m.
