Discover the Best NYC Events in December 2024: Holiday Markets, Festive Foods, and Must-See Attractions
Experience the magic of the season with the best NYC events in December 2024! From iconic holiday markets perfect for finding unique gifts and delicious treats to dazzling Nutcracker performances and lively pop-up holiday bars, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with festive events across the city, or take a break from the holiday hustle with exciting non-holiday activities like art exhibitions, comedy shows, and immersive experiences. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to making the most of December in New York City.
1. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a beloved NYC tradition, shines as a beacon of holiday cheer. This year’s stunning Norway spruce is adorned with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and crowned with a 900-pound Swarovski star encrusted with 3 million crystals. The tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, with special hours on Christmas Eve (24 hours) and New Year’s Eve (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.), before going dark in mid-January. Don’t miss this dazzling display!
2. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Lightscape returns to Brooklyn Botanic Garden from November 22 to January 5, 2025. This immersive, illuminated trail features breathtaking installations like the Winter Cathedral and Fire Garden, all synchronized to music. Along the path, enjoy seasonal treats like hot cocoa and mulled wine. Tickets range from $24-$45 for adults and $12-$23 for kids, depending on the date. A magical evening awaits!
1. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a beloved NYC tradition, shines as a beacon of holiday cheer. This year’s stunning Norway spruce is adorned with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and crowned with a 900-pound Swarovski star encrusted with 3 million crystals. The tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, with special hours on Christmas Eve (24 hours) and New Year’s Eve (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.), before going dark in mid-January. Don’t miss this dazzling display!
2. Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Lightscape returns to Brooklyn Botanic Garden from November 22 to January 5, 2025. This immersive, illuminated trail features breathtaking installations like the Winter Cathedral and Fire Garden, all synchronized to music. Along the path, enjoy seasonal treats like hot cocoa and mulled wine. Tickets range from $24-$45 for adults and $12-$23 for kids, depending on the date. A magical evening awaits!
3. Santa’s Secret
Step into a festive wonderland with Santa’s Secret, an adults-only speakeasy combining holiday cheer and sultry surprises. Featuring cheeky characters, burlesque performances, aerial acts, and themed cocktails, this immersive experience is set in a massive 26,000-square-foot space in Chelsea. Running from November 29 to December 31, tickets start at $75 per person. Celebrate the holidays with a twist!
4. New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Train Show
Located in Grand Central Terminal, the New York Transit Museum's 20th annual Holiday Train Show is a must-see. Marvel at a 34-foot-long display featuring miniatures of NYC landmarks and Lionel trains traveling from a tiny Grand Central to the North Pole. Open through February 2025, this free exhibit operates Monday to Friday (10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.) and weekends (10 a.m.–6 p.m.), but is closed on major holidays.
5. New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
For over 30 years, the New York Botanical Garden has wowed visitors with its Holiday Train Show. Watch model trains navigate nearly 200 NYC landmarks, crafted entirely from natural materials, along a half-mile track inside the warm Conservatory. The show runs from November 16 to January 20, 2025, in the Bronx, offering a cozy and festive family outing.
6. Bryant Park Winter Village
Bryant Park’s Winter Village is back, featuring over 180 artisan shops and food kiosks perfect for holiday shopping. Enjoy free ice skating on the 17,000-square-foot rink or savor festive cocktails and hearty fare at The Lodge, a rinkside pop-up eatery. This iconic NYC winter experience brims with holiday spirit and unique gifts for all.
7. Company XIV: Nutcracker Rouge
Company XIV presents Nutcracker Rouge, a bold, sensual reimagining of the classic holiday tale. This neo-Baroque performance fuses burlesque, opera, and circus artistry, creating an adults-only spectacle like no other. Running through February 1, 2025, this risqué production is a provocative addition to NYC's holiday season. Leave the kids at home for this one!
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