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New York City Christmas activities

Our most recommended New York City Christmas activities

From Manhattan: Dyker Heights Holiday Bus Tour

1. From Manhattan: Dyker Heights Holiday Bus Tour

Embark on a holiday bus tour taking you through the residential neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights to see their brilliant Christmas decorations. Hop off your bus to see these homes up close on a guided walking tour. Marvel at tree-lined streets and lit up private residences decorated for the holiday season. Learn about the neighborhoods' long-lasting holiday traditions from your local guide. Learn how it has been a tradition for many years to illuminate these homes with tens of thousands of lights and dazzling holiday scenes. Now, it has become a festive competition amongst the homeowners as to who has the "brightest" holiday cheer in the neighborhood. Then, walk through these neighborhoods on a guided tour, hearing the stories and wonderful lore behind this fun holiday event. You may even meet some of the homeowners and hear about how these neighborhoods come together in such a way to bring such holiday magic to New York City. On your way back to Manhattan, see the spectacular New York City skyline and some of the other festive holiday displays throughout the city. At the end of your tour, be dropped off in Midtown Manhattan.

NYC: Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center with Skate Rental

2. NYC: Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center with Skate Rental

Experience the world-famous ice rink located at the iconic Rockefeller Center. See the square known for hosting one of the largest Christmas trees each year. Enjoy a complimentary ice skating rental with this ticket. First, head downtown New York City to West 49th and 50th streets, where you'll be transported back to the golden age of New York. Enter the rink area, first built in 1936. Head over to the rental desk and get ready to glide on the ice. Then, step out on the ice, where Buddy the Elf skated. Enjoy your skate around the rink with a close-up view of the 18-foot Prometheus, created by Paul Manship, and the 193 flags that represent the different nations around the world. Finally, finish up your skate in front of the infamous 30 Rockefeller building, where the comedy series 30 Rock is set. Take a break and enjoy a warm drink or snack at the Rink Lounge, available to all skaters.

Brooklyn: 1.5-Hour Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

3. Brooklyn: 1.5-Hour Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

See astonishing holiday light displays on a visit to Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood, famous for the incredible decorations planned by its competitive residents. See it all for yourself on a 1.5-hour evening stroll through the area. Admire the most impressive home displays, and learn the story behind this holiday tradition. Have your camera ready for this Christmas lights excursion, to snap photos of the top homes best lighting displays in the neighborhood. Discover the unwritten codes that are followed religiously by the residents of Dyker Heights. Take this tour in Brooklyn and soak up the magical Christmas atmosphere.

New York City: Christmas Lights Horse Carriage Ride

4. New York City: Christmas Lights Horse Carriage Ride

Get into the holiday spirit with a horse carriage tour of the stunning New York Christmas lights in Central Park, 5th Avenue, and Rockefeller Center. Climb aboard at the corner of 59th street and 6th avenue. Plod from here on a route through Central Park to see the warm lights. Continue to admire how 5th avenue is sparkling for the season. Travel along historical landmarks that have put on their Christmas decorations. Reach the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Let the lights make you feel warm and festive. Feel the romance of the season while riding in an old-fashioned carriage.

NYC: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Skyline View Bus Tour

5. NYC: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Skyline View Bus Tour

Get into the Christmas spirit, the most wonderful time of the year, in New York City's borough of Brooklyn on a bus tour through Dyker Heights. Be charmed by the spectacular holiday decorations, the neighborhood's glittering lights, and festive displays. Your guide will take you on the bus from Midtown Manhattan to the Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights. Along the way, the guide will tell you some great New York stories. On the way to the Christmas Lights, stop for a bathroom break and a photo op of the sunset over the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty. Once arrived in Dyker Heights, you will get off the bus and the guide will show you the most beautiful and spectacular houses in this wonderful Brooklyn neighborhood. On your way back to Manhattan, the bus will make a photo stop at Brooklyn Bridge Park, where you will get off the bus for a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge. From there, make your way back along the East River with an astonishing view of Williamsburg, the Brooklyn skyline, Long Island City, the Queens skyline, the Empire State Building, and the Midtown Manhattan Skyline as well as the famous Queensboro Bridge. Your tour will end close to one of the most beautiful New York City holiday markets, the Winter Village at Bryant Park. Feel the magical atmosphere Christmas brings as you drive through the many neighborhoods and experience New York in a new way.

Harlem Gospel Holiday Celebration Concert

6. Harlem Gospel Holiday Celebration Concert

Add another dimension to your holiday visit to New York and take in an authentic gospel concert in Harlem. Enjoy an unforgettable hour of Black gospel music on December 24th and Christmas Day (December 25th)! This compelling music is sure to have you clapping your hands and stomping your feet, along with all the others in attendance. You may even end up singing along to the soulful rhythms of Black gospel music that will fill the church on these 2 days. The Holiday Gospel Concert will bring joy to your heart and soul. Gospel music is powerfully uplifting and something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience.

New York City: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

7. New York City: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour

Your tour begins in Midtown Manhattan. From there you will head towards the western part of Manhattan along the Hudson River as you learn about its history. You will then cross the Battery Tunnel, which will take you directly to the borough of Brooklyn. Once you are in Brooklyn you'll head to the Dyker Heights district; an Italian-American neighborhood famous for its elaborate houses and gardens. Each year residents compete with each other to make out of the ordinary Christmas decorations, illuminations, and displays. Your tour guide will tell you about the origin and history of this tradition, before giving you free time to walk the streets to admire and take pictures of the houses. Once you have finished the tour of the neighborhood, you will get back on the bus to go to the Brooklyn Bridge. There you will enjoy the different viewpoints, with more free time to take pictures of the spectacular views of Manhattan. Finally, you will return to Times Square where the tour ends. You can feel free to ask your guide for recommendations on what else you can do to enjoy your visit to New York City.

NYC: Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

8. NYC: Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

Experience the magic of the season on a luxurious Christmas Day gourmet brunch or dinner cruise aboard New York’s glass-enclosed Bateaux, Manhattan’s most premium experience on the water. You and your guests will enjoy a holiday 3-course, plated brunch or dinner freshly prepared by a chef. Savor an exquisite dining experience where delectable cuisine, elegant decor, and stunning views will make for an unforgettable experience. Imaginative culinary creations, top-class wine list, and musical entertainment combine to create the ultimate New York indulgence. While onboard, experience exceptional views of New York City’s iconic skyline from an incredibly unique perspective, live entertainment, and festive décor. Celebrate the holidays on the Hudson and East Rivers with your friends and family. Sample Brunch Menu: STARTER (CHOICE OF ONE) BEET & BABY ARUGULA SALAD (G*)(V) Feta Cheese | Cherry Tomatoes | Balsamic Vinaigrette GREEK YOGURT & GRANOLA PARFAIT (G*)(V) Chobani Non-Fat Greek Yogurt | Honey Granola | Fresh Blueberries and Strawberries MAIN (CHOICE OF ONE) SCRAMBLED EGGS (G*) Nueske's Applewood Triple-Thick Cut Bacon | New Red Potatoes & Cauliflower Hash | Arugula Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette & Red Onions BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST (V) Stuffed with Nutella Cream | Fresh Strawberries | Maple Syrup (Contains Nuts) OVEN-ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST WITH ROSEMARY & THYME Roasted New Red Potato Salad with Scallions | Haricot Verts | Creamy Mushroom Sauce DESSERT (CHOICE OF ONE) SIGNATURE CHOCOLATE CAKE (V) Creme Anglaise | Raspberry Coulis | Candied Pecans (Contains Nuts) MIXED FRUIT WITH STRAWBERRIES (G*)(VG)(V) Madagascar Vanilla and Orange Cream NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE (V)(N) Lemon Mascarpone Cream | Blueberry Compote **May contain Nuts Sample Dinner Menu: STARTER (CHOICE OF ONE - ALL STARTERS ACCOMPANIED BY FRESH BREAD AND BUTTER) BEET & BABY ARUGULA SALAD (G*)(V) Feta Cheese | Cherry Tomatoes | Balsamic Vinaigrette SIGNATURE SEAFOOD CHOWDER (G*) Clams | Idaho Potatoes | Cream MAIN (CHOICE OF ONE) TURKEY DINNER Garlic Mashed Potato | Traditional Stuffing | Haricot Verts | Turkey Gravy | Cranberry Sauce BROILED SALMON FILET WITH ROASTED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE Lemon Orzo | Farm Fresh Seasonal Vegetables BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS WITH FRESNO PEPPER DEMI GLACE (G*) Garlic Mashed Potatoes | Baby Carrots, Broccoli FALL VEGETABLE RAGU (G*)(V)(VG) Butternut Squash | Brussel Sprouts | Cauliflower | Carrots | White Bean Ragu DESSERT (CHOICE OF ONE) HORNBLOWER SIGNATURE CHOCOLATE CAKE (V) Creme Anglaise | Raspberry Coulis | Candied Pecans | (Contains Nuts) MIXED FRUIT WITH STRAWBERRIES (G*)(VG)(V) Madagascar Vanilla and Orange Cream NEW YORK STYLE CHEESECAKE (V) Lemon Marscapone Cream | Blueberry Compote | (Contains Nuts)

From Manhattan: 4-Hour Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Bus Tour

9. From Manhattan: 4-Hour Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Bus Tour

Experience Christmas in New York City on a comfortable bus tour of Dyker Heights, world-known for its luminous light displays. Witness the festive decoration tradition that the residents have kept alive since the 1980s. Drive from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Enjoy this lively Italian-American neighborhood with your tour guide. Due to narrow streets, buses are not allowed in Dyker Heights, so hop off the bus and follow your guide to the two most illuminated streets in the area. See Lucy Spata's house, which started the tradition of Dyker Lights in the '80s. Walk along the most spectacularly decorated houses. Next, stop at the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO/Brooklyn Heights. Enjoy the view of the Manhattan Skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge for about 25 minutes. Return via the Manhattan Bridge. End the experience at Bryant Park, where you can visit its famous winter market on your own.

New York City: Guided Bus Tour at Night

10. New York City: Guided Bus Tour at Night

Experience awesome New York City sites at night, as you hop aboard our comfortable tour bus for a comprehensive, fully-guided bus tour of NYC at night. Your tour guide will accompany you and will get off with you at each stop, helping you see a different side of New York City. This 4.5-hour guided night bus tour includes stops at the High Line Park, Little Island on the Hudson River, Grand Central Terminal, Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport, and Times Square! The tour starts at 5:30 pm in the Times Square area on 7th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets (in the middle of the block), and ends at 10 pm at the same location. We leave our starting/ending location in Times Square and go to our first stop - one of the most fascinating attractions in New York City - the High Line Park. The stop includes a 15-minute walk on the elevated, linear park that was originally a railway dating back to the industrial days of the west side of Manhattan. We continue our guided walk to NYC's newest outdoor space - Little Island - a 2.4-acre public park on the Hudson River. Off to Pier 17 at the historic South Street Seaport for magnificent views of the Downtown Brooklyn skyline and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge at night! Our next stop is Grand Central Terminal for a quick indoor tour of this iconic NYC landmark and the views of the Chrysler Building and NYC's newest skyscraper - One Vanderbilt! The bus heads back to the heart of NYC - Times Square, back to our original starting point on 7th Avenue and 51st Street. If you purchased Top of The Rock Observatory tickets - 50th Street and 6th Avenue is the last stop. Top of the Rock Observation Deck is perched 70 stories above at Rockefeller Center and offers a 3-floors of panoramic, 360-degree views unequaled anywhere else in New York City. Explore all the architecture and landmarks by day or sunset, including the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, or become memorized by the lights of the 'city that never sleeps'. Additional sites and neighborhoods you'll also see from the comfort of your bus include Rockefeller Center, Tribeca, East Village, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, Empire State Building, UN Building, MetLife Building, Chrysler Building & more!

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What people are saying about New York City

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 629 reviews

The excursion is very nice, the neighborhood is a super quiet area and as an experience since you go at Christmas I think it is essential to go.

Rachel was a great guide and we got to see and learn about places that we would have never seen otherwise. Highly recommend.

The experience was amazing along with the transport and guides knowledge.

the Host was excellent..had so much Intel and his voice was amazing

One of the best experiences of 2023 for me. Truly unique!