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Lights are twinkling, chestnuts are roasting, and Santas are ringing their bells on every corner. Ornate window displays light up Fifth Avenue, and neighbors celebrate like extended families. All this and more make the holiday season in New York the most wonderful time of the year.
From classics like the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and retellings of “A Christmas Carol” to spins around The Rink at Rockefeller Center Presented by Chase Freedom and festive light shows, there is no better time or place to embrace the festive spirit than New York City in December. However you choose to engage, don’t miss the chance to revive old traditions and create new ones. Read on for our top six picks of events happening in New York City in December.
Wondering what else is going on at Rockefeller Center in December? Scroll through our upcoming events, and sign up for The Center Newsletter to get the latest news delivered to your inbox.
1. Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show
November 24-January 2026
After a one-year hiatus, Saks Fifth Avenue’s reimagined holiday light show returns this season, lighting up Midtown with a dazzling display of synchronized lights and festive music. Watch from the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center for a festive experience, framed by the famous Christmas Angels and the 2025 Christmas Tree. Pair your visit with ice skating at The Rink, or, for a truly iconic view, Rockefeller Center’s VIP Pass: Holiday Edition offers access to a hidden rooftop garden with the best vantage point. The free show runs nightly after sunset, repeating every few minutes until 11pm.
2. Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Twas The Night Before...
December 4-28
‘Twas the Night Before…, Cirque du Soleil’s answer to The Nutcracker, is an acrobatic spectacle that will quickly become a family favorite. A reinterpretation of Clement Clarke Moore’s famous poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” the story follows a young girl who finds herself in a magical world of carnivalesque feats energized by holiday spirit. Set to a soundtrack of reimagined holiday classics like “Deck the Halls” and “O Holy Night,” the show, just like all of Cirque du Soleil’s productions, promises to entertain audiences of all ages.
3. The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Through January 2026
Nothing says the holidays quite like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, shining like a beacon in New York City since 1931. Pair your visit with a cup of hot chocolate from Glace, then take some of the magic home with you with an official photo in front of the tree. For the ultimate holiday experience, opt for the VIP Rock Pass: Holiday Edition — a ticket that gets you front-row viewing of the Christmas Tree, plus a two-hour tour of Rockefeller Center's hidden holiday gems, including a secret rooftop garden.
4. Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal
November 13-February 2026
For the 21st year, the classic Holiday Train Show at Grand Central will wow viewers of all ages with the New York Transit Museum’s impressive collection of Lionel model trains. The electric replicas of Polar Express, New York subway, and Metro-North trains travel from a miniature Grand Central Terminal, creating a city within the city that’s as festive as it is meta. The display will stand into February, but December is the most magical time to watch it run. The show is free, but don’t forget your wallet, because you’ll find lots of fun transit-themed gifts for the urban explorers on your list.
5. “A Christmas Carol” at Merchant’s House Museum
November 25-December 27
Ebeneezer Scrooge returns to the Merchant’s House Museum for the 13th annual engagement of Charles Dickens’ famous story, “A Christmas Carol.” Allow the atmospheric setting — inside a landmark 1832 home decked in 19th-century holiday decor — to transport you to Victorian England as John Kevin Jones and Vince Gatton take turns bringing this holiday classic to life. An hour before select performances, the museum also hosts a special pre-show reception, where audiences can enjoy a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” while sipping on mulled wine or cider. The museum’s garden opens during the reception when the weather allows.
6. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Ongoing through December
New York City is renowned for its twinkling lights at Christmastime, and nowhere does it bigger or better than southwest Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood. Every year, this quiet community transforms into a colorful carnival, with houses going all-out on their holiday decor. Glowing Santas, flashing wreaths, and dustings of fake snow adorn facades while carols blast from speakers. It's a 24/7 winter wonderland that has become one of the city’s most popular holiday attractions. Walk around at your leisure, or sign up for a guided bus tour any time through the New Year.
7. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Lightscape
November 21-January 4, 2026
Now in its fifth year, Lightscape transforms the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Gardens into a glittering winter wonderland. Stroll a trail illuminated by over a million lights — featuring sculptures by local and international artists, site-specific music and sounds, and special spotlights on the park’s architecture, gardens, forests, and water features. This year’s edition expands the experience with fresh installations and immersive elements, making it NYC’s newest holiday classic. Along the way, seasonal treats like hot chocolate or mulled wine, and enjoy a magical night out.
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