Every holiday season New York City transforms into a winter wonderland. The City radiates with holiday spirit as the five boroughs offer world-renowned performances, shopping, dining and more.
NYC & Company, the City’s official marketing, tourism, and partnership organization, encourages visitors to plan their holiday travel now to take advantage of all the City has to offer. “There’s no better time to experience New York City’s five boroughs than during the annual holiday season,” said
George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Each year the City opens its arms and welcomes visitors to experience some of the world’s most stunning holiday decorations, events and entertainment. This year will be another opportunity to enjoy the City’s unique energy, excitement and vibrancy.”
The holiday season kicks off when soaring balloons, beautifully crafted floats and of course Santa Claus himself arrive in Herald Square during the
84th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 25. Be among the millions of spectators watching the parade as it begins at 9am on 77th Street and Central Park West. The parade then makes its way to Columbus Circle, turns east toward Seventh Avenue and continues on to 42nd Street. Then it turns east toward Sixth Avenue and goes down Sixth Avenue to 34th Street, where it travels west until it ends at Seventh Avenue (
macys.com/parade).
Now in its 78th year,
Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular continues to amaze both visitors and residents alike. From November 5 to December 30, experience the joy of Christmas with outstanding performances by the world-famous
Rockettes, along with stunning special effects, costumes and excitement that will create lasting memories. Enjoyed by all ages, the show is sure to become an annual tradition for you and your family. Ticket prices start at $45 (
radiocitychristmas.com).
The
Theater at Madison Square Garden will host
Wintuk, a
Cirque du Soleil production, for its fourth and final season this year. The holiday show shares the tale of a boy’s quest for snow in an imaginary wonderland called Wintuk. With exciting acrobatics, theatrics and music, you will not want to miss this production’s last season, November 17, 2010, to January 2, 2011. Tickets range from $30 to $220, with a special 30 percent discount for select children’s tickets (
cirquedusoleil.com/wintuk).
The
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting is one of the most popular draws for holiday visitors from around the world. The annual tree-lighting ceremony, which takes place this year on November 30, is an exciting star-studded event. Decorated in festive LED lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star, the tree, which has become more eco-friendly in recent years, can be viewed till early January (
rockefellercenter.com)
The
New York City Ballet will present one of the season’s favorite annual productions,
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Featuring marching toy soldiers, a glowing one-ton Christmas tree, crystalline snowflakes and some of the most glorious dancing the City has to offer, the show is truly a magical experience—whether it’s a family tradition or a once-in-a-lifetime event. The show runs from November 26, 2010, to January 2, 2011; tickets range from $20 to $135 (
nycballet.com/nutcracker).
The City twinkles with holiday spirit, particularly as its famed stores and iconic hotels strive to outdo the previous year’s celebration.
Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and
Macy’s spruce up their window displays with beautiful holiday-themed decor that awes visitors year after year. Indoor and outdoor holiday markets at
Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, Union Square and
Grand Central Terminal have become a new must-go for shoppers looking for unique gifts created by local artists and vendors. The lavish Midtown hotel
Le Parker Meridien will host its second annual
Gingerbread Extravaganza, during which local bakeries display their large-scale confectionary creations from December 1, 2010, to January 9, 2011. For $1, vote on the best gingerbread design and enter to win a prize (
parkermeridien.com). All proceeds will benefit
City Harvest, an organization that rescues food to feed hungry New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs (
cityharvest.org).
The
Big Apple Circus celebrates its 33rd season this year with an all-new show, Dance On! New York City’s circus returns to the big top at
Lincoln Center, complete with unicyclists, contortionists, animals and the hilarious clown
Grandma. Seats are never more than 50 feet from the ring. Performances run from October 21, 2010, to January 9, 2011; tickets range from $15 to $92 (
bigapplecircus.org).
Visit The Jewish Museum on the Upper East Side to view The Hanukkah Project: Daniel Libeskind, on exhibition from November 21, 2010, to January 30, 2011, featuring Hanukkah lamps from the museum’s collection, each with a rich and beautiful history (
thejewishmuseum.org)
NYC & Company will once again launch its annual
Harlem for the Holidays promotion, which runs from late November through the New Year. Harlem is a remarkable area to visit during the holidays, as it offers the finest in culture, dining, shopping and more. Further details on this initiative will be available closer to the holiday season at
nycgo.com.
In the Bronx, visitors can experience the
Annual Holiday Family Day at the
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum on Saturday, December 4, from 10am to 2pm. Get into the spirit with the whole family at the festively decorated 19th-century mansion and participate in programs and activities for children, including photos with Santa. Reservations are requested; call (718) 885-1461 or email
info@bpmm.org.
Also in the Bronx, at the
New York Botanical Garden, is the family favorite
Holiday Train Show, featuring toy trains that zip through more than 100 replicas of NYC landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium and the George Washington Bridge. Handcrafted by award-winning designers, the set is made from
natural supplies such as orange slices, cinnamon sticks, bark and pinecones. The show will be on display between November 20, 2010, and January 9, 2011 (
nybg.org).
In Staten Island, the annual
Candlelight Tours will take place on Saturday, December 11, and Saturday, December 18. See the sights and sounds of
Historic Richmond Town, which will be lit by candles, oil lamps and blazing fireplaces. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under; prepaid reservations are required. Call (718) 351-1611, ext. 281, for tour times and reservations (
historicrichmondtown.org).
Brooklyn comes alive for the holidays with the
Lights of Dyker Heights. Truly a sight to behold, the spectacle attracts thousands of visitors during the holiday season. The best displays can be seen on the blocks between 83rd and 86th Streets from 11th to 13th Avenue in this small neighborhood between Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst.
During the week of Hanukkah, be sure to visit the
Menorah of Brooklyn in downtown Brooklyn at
Columbus Park, right outside Borough Hall. And in Manhattan, don’t miss the lighting of the
World’s Largest Menorah at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, right in front of the Plaza Hotel. In Queens the Queens Historical Society presents the
Annual Historic Holiday House Tour on Sunday, December 12, from 1pm to 5pm. This guided trolley tour includes stops at five festively decorated museums and historical sites, including the Queens Historical Society at the
Kingsland Homestead, the
Flushing Quaker Meeting House,
Flushing Town Hall, the
Voelker Orth Museum and
Lewis H. Latimer House. A local historian will narrate the tour. Visitors will have access to all exhibits at each site, which will also feature holiday refreshments and family activities. Tickets cost $10 for adults, with children under 12 free, and can be purchased in advance at any of the sites or at the door the day of the event (
queenshistoricalsociety.org).
For more information on planning your holiday visit to New York City, please visit
nycgo.com/annualevents.