1. Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lightning ceremony
Do you remember Home Alone 2: Lost in New York iconic scene where homesick Kevin came to see one of the world’s biggest Christmas trees and ask to be reunited with his family? The main role was played by a Christmas tree on the Rockefeller Center which is lighten up every year on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving Day. Colourful lights are a symbol of New York entering into a magical period of Christmas.
2.Wintery Central Park
Central Park, Manhattan’s grove of lush greenery, converts into an ice playground, for both infants and kids. New Yorkers are keen on frolicking in the powder snow, driving down small hills on sledges. Breathtaking sights of freezing waterfalls are yet another attractions for tourists and locals. One can say it looks like rushing water was caught in the snapshot.
3. Union Square Holiday Market
For those who can’t resist the urge to visit Christmas market, we can recommend stopping by one of the biggest Christmas markets in town, which takes place in Union Square. Fair consists of north of 100 booths where you can find almost everything.
4. Bryant Park - Winter Village
If after visiting Union Square you are still thirsty of a shopping spree, you definitely have to visit Winter Village in Bryant Park - a place where you will get Christmas gifts for your loved ones but also taste original festal flavors of New York.
5. Ice-skating at Bryant Park
In order to take a full advantage of city’s glamour, be sure to go ice-skating in Bryant Park. Picturesque sight of twinkling lights of the Winter Village and aromas of spices hovering in the air will get you in the truly Christmas mood.
6. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Show
For a change of scenery, let’s leave Manhattan and take a trip to the other side of the Brooklyn Bridge to see Dyker Heights - neighborhood famous from the most flamboyant lights display. Although many New Yorkers decide to embellish their own homes, a level of devotion, creativity and imagination of Dyker Heights’ dwellers is beyond spectacular.
Nativity scene, scenes from A Christmas Carol and millions of colourful light decorations make an ordinary December evening on Brooklyn turn into festival of lights.
7. The Nutcracker by George Balanchine
No dance enthusiast wants to miss magical George Balanchine staging of The Nutcracker in the New York City Ballet. It is played here since 1954 during Christmas period and it is a permanent feature of New York’s Christmas tradition.
8. Radio City Christmas Spectacular
You can’t miss that show! No other show will render the New York’s Christmas atmosphere like Radio City Christmas Spectacular - stage show played here since 1932. Starring The Rockettes, it is being staged up to five times a day from the mid-November until first days of January. Performing in that show is every dancer’s dream - approximately 500 women show up at castings every year. Even though it is played in Radio City Music Hall for 88 years now, almost 2 million people watch it every year.
9. 5th Avenue window displays
Stroll along the 5th Avenue is a pure windfall for shopping lovers. Display windows of Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s and many more department stores are transforming into small Lapland - you will surely feel like a small kid who believes in Santa Claus and flying reindeer.
10. FAO Schwarz
Life-size teddy bears, fairy-tale doll houses, endless train sets and sea of candy - awake your inner child and visit one of the biggest toy stores in New York.
11. Empire State Building
The last but not least obligatory agendum is one of New York’s highest buildings - let’s scale it and see the whole city in its Christmassy glory. During Christmas period it is floodlit in red and green lights what gives an illusion of a vast Christmas tree. Look down into millions of wavering lights and streets humming with Christmas atmosphere to revel in a one-of-a-kind scenery.
