10 Things To Do In New York City This Christmas

There’s nothing quite like New York City at Christmastime. From insane trees to holiday shows to fun pop ups around the city, a trip to the Big Apple during December is a must. Today I’m sharing my 10 favorite things to do during the month to help get you instantly in the holiday spirit!

1. Visit the different Christmas trees around the city: The best way to get into the holiday mood? Visit a shimmering giant Christmas tree! There’s of course the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, but other stunners around the city can be found at Lotte New York Palace hotel, Wall Street and Washington Square Park.
2. Ice skate in the city: Like the different Christmas trees around the city, there’s also a ton of different ice rinks to skate around in NYC. If you can’t make it onto the rink at Rockefeller Center, head to Bryant Park, Central Park or The Standard High Line for an hour or two of skating fun.
3. Catch a holiday show: There’s nothing quite like theater in New York, so make sure to catch a holiday show like The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall or The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center. Or check out one of the many Broadway shows, which will have you singing and dancing down the streets after!
4. Walk down Fifth Avenue to look at the holiday windows: No one does holiday windows quite like the stores in NYC. From Barneys to Tiffany’s to Saks (with its incredible light show at night), a walk down Fifth is guaranteed to be the best place to window-shop.

5. Grab hot cocoa at Ralph’s: To keep warm while walking down Fifth Avenue, stop in Ralph Lauren’s own coffee shop, Ralph’s, to grab a cup of hot chocolate. The tiny coffee shop is on the second floor of the Ralph Lauren Fifth Avenue location, and is decked with charming garland, wreaths and lights for the holiday season.
6. Have a fondue feast in The Standard Winter Garden: There’s always a new pop up to enjoy in New York, and The Standard East Village has converted its outdoor garden into a winter wonderland. Complete with heated alpine yurts, you can bundle up in one of the complimentary furs while you sip on hot spiked drinks and enjoy a fondue feast.
7. Visit the Holiday Markets: In both Bryant Park and Union Square, festive holiday markets filled with hundreds of booths pop up to make holiday shopping and eating extra fun. Make sure to stop by one of the locations to pick up some stocking stuffers or try a unique treat.

8. Have a drink at a holiday bar: Rolf’s is one of the most well-known and popular spots to grab a drink while underneath a crazy amount of Christmas decor. But because the line is usually wrapped around the block, head to other festive spots like Pete’s Tavern, Lillie’s Victorian or La Birreria on the Eataly Roof to still get in the holiday spirit.
9. Walk through the different hotels: Classic NYC hotels like The Plaza, The Peninsula and The Waldorf Astoria break out the best decorations during the holiday season. Take a walk through to get a glimpse of the Christmas magic and snap some photos!
10. Stop by the weekend farmers’ markets: The farmers’ markets and street stands are filled with fresh Christmas trees and beautiful wreaths, ideal for picking up something for your apartment or just enjoying the fresh Fraser fir smell!