Holidays in NYC: The Best Christmas Spots to Visit

New York goes all out for the holidays, starting right at Hudson Yards, where Vessel is illuminated as the centerpiece of Shine Bright at Hudson Yards. From there, the season stretches across the city, from the tree at Rockefeller Center to a handful of lesser known spots, like an ornament covered German restaurant in Gramercy and a rotating lineup of pop up cocktail bars. Here's where to find the best of it, big and small.

1. Shine Bright at Hudson Yards, Featuring Vessel

Hudson Yards puts on one of the biggest holiday displays in the city with Shine Bright at Hudson Yards, which displays more than two million lights around the neighborhood, 725 evergreen trees and a series of illuminated hot air balloons across the Public Square and Gardens and The Shops. Vessel itself gets wrapped in lights for the season, turning the whole 150-foot structure into what looks like a giant ornament, with an hourly light show that lights it up and is worth timing your visit around. Step inside and look for the mistletoe tucked into the staircases, a gorgeous photo moment you won't want to miss. Inside The Shops, a 32-foot hot air balloon hangs from the ceiling of the Great Room. The display typically runs through early January, so there's plenty of time to catch it even if you're visiting after Christmas. While there, stop by to visit Santa, which is free, tell him your wishlist, and bring home a photo of your visit.

2. Rockefeller Center: The Tree and the Rink

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is the symbol of the season in New York, and the tree lighting ceremony, usually held the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, is talked about across the city. The tree stays lit through early January, with the ice rink below it open for skating for anyone who wants to get out on the ice.

3. Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows

Department stores along Fifth Avenue turn their window displays into a holiday tradition of their own. Saks Fifth Avenue runs a light show on its building facade timed to music, and Bergdorf Goodman's windows are always worth a slow walk past, even with the crowds.

4. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

For something further off the usual path, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is known for homeowners who go all out with elaborate light displays, some with synchronized music and moving figures. It's a bit of a trip from Manhattan, but it's one of the more unique ways to see the holidays in New York.

5. The Lights at Columbus Circle

The Shops at Columbus Circle puts on its own holiday light show called Holiday Under the Stars. Twelve 14 foot stars hang from the ceiling of the Great Room and cycle through more than 16 million color  to holiday music in a show that runs every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to midnight. A few more stars sparkle at the 58th and 60th Street entrances, so it's an easy stop even if you're just passing through on your way into Central Park.

6. A Few Local Secrets

Not everything worth seeing is on the big list. Rolf's German Restaurant in Gramercy turns its dining room into a full blown Christmas display every year, with roughly 15,000 ornaments and thousands of icicle lights hanging from the ceiling, plus a set of vintage dolls that watch over the room from above. It recommends reservations, although walk ins are allowed too, and the decor tends to stay up well past the holidays.

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Miracle, the holiday themed cocktail pop up, takes over bars across the city each winter, from its flagship on East 9th Street to partner locations scattered around Manhattan and Brooklyn, all decked out in kitschy decorations with a menu of themed drinks like the Jingle Bird and the Sugar Plum Mai Tai.

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Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall hosts a free Holiday Fair each year, usually running from early November through Christmas Eve, with dozens of local vendors selling handmade jewelry, art, and gifts under one of the city's grandest ceilings.

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Back at Hudson Yards, several restaurants roll out holiday menus and prix fixe dinners through December, so it's worth booking ahead if you want a sit down meal to go with the lights outside.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the best time to see Christmas decorations in NYC?

Most major displays, including the Rockefeller Center tree and Shine Bright at Hudson Yards, go up right after Thanksgiving and stay lit through the first week of January. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the most crowded, so visiting on a weekday or earlier in the season can mean smaller crowds.

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Is Vessel part of the holiday displays at Hudson Yards?

Yes. Vessel is wrapped in lights as part of Shine Bright at Hudson Yards, the neighborhood's holiday lighting display, with an hourly light show, a mistletoe photo spot tucked into its staircases, and a large hot air balloon installation inside The Shops, alongside more than two million lights spread across the Public Square and Gardens.

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Is Shine Bright at Hudson Yards the same each year?

No, the holiday festivities continue to expand and evolve each year. There may be some exciting surprises for the upcoming holiday season, making it an even better reason to visit.

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How long does the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stay up?

The tree is typically lit from early December through early January, with the tree lighting ceremony usually held the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

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What are some free holiday activities in NYC?

Plenty of the best holiday sights in the city are free to see, including the Santa at Hudson Yards, the Rockefeller Center tree, the Fifth Avenue window displays, Shine Bright at Hudson Yards, a visit with Santa at Hudson Yards, the Dyker Heights lights in Brooklyn, and the Grand Central Holiday Fair. Vessel tickets, ice skating, dinner at Rolf's, and a stop at Miracle do come with their own costs.