40+ Free Things to Do in New York City at Christmas

Christmas in New York City can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. In this post, you’ll find over 40 free things to do at Christmas in New York City. This guide covers free Christmas lights, trees, markets, holiday displays, iconic photo stops, and other things to do without spending money.

My wife, Tonya, and I did over 20 of the things in this list during our 4-day trip to New York City at Christmas. We both felt that experiencing the different things in person was well worth our time and energy.

If you are looking for an itinerary while in the city, I have created a 4 day itinerary that Tonya and I did. In the itinerary, you’ll find things to see and do, places to stay, how to save money, ways to get around, and things to consider when planning. 

Free activities aren’t the only way to stretch your budget on this trip.

Table of Contents

• Quick Picks
• Map of Free Things to Do
• Holiday Lights and Window Displays
• Christmas Trees
• Holiday Markets
• Holiday Music & Special Events
• Iconic Christmas Photo Stops
• Neighborhood Decorations and Experiences
• Other Things to Do for Free
• FAQs

My Quick Picks

We didn’t make it to every attraction on this list, but these are some of the places that stood out to us during our four days in New York City.

• Best Christmas Experience: Rockefeller Center and Christmas Tree
• Best Free View: Brooklyn Bridge Park
• Best Christmas Market: Bryant Park
• Best Christmas Photo Stop: Radio City Music Hall and the Giant Red Ornaments
• Best Pleasant Surprise: New York Public Library

Map of Free Things to Do in New York City at Christmas

Use the interactive map below to plan your route through all 40+ free Christmas activities in this guide. Each pin is color coded by category so you can cluster stops efficiently and make the most of your time in the city. You can toggle off and on different colored pins to make it easier to view.

• Blue pins = Holiday lights and window displays
• Green pins = Christmas trees
• Orange pins = Holiday markets
• Purple pins = Holiday music and special events
• Red pins = Iconic Christmas photo stops
• Yellow pins = Neighborhood decorations
• Gray pins = Other free things to do

Free Christmas Activities in New York City

Holiday Lights & Window Displays in New York City

Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows & Snowflake

The Fifth Avenue window displays are New York City’s most famous high fashion Christmas tradition. Personally, my favorite window display was Saks Fifth Avenue.

The main holiday window displays can be found between 49th Street and 58th Street. You can enjoy the windows starting in late November until early January.

Some of the most notable stores include department stores like Cartier, Saks, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Bergdorf Goodman. Each store creates elaborate themed displays that attract thousands each season.

The Fifth Avenue Snowflake was on my list of things to see when we were in the city but unfortunately we didn’t see it. The snowflake is a massive 30-foot-diameter 3,300-pound snowflake that hangs 50 feet in the air at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 57th Street. That is one big snowflake.

Based on what I found, the snowflake has over 16,500 Baccarat crystal prisms with over 600 high intensity LED lights inside of it. The snowflake is programmed to put on light shows every hour on the hour that you can enjoy.

We visited on Christmas Day around 7:00 PM and it was extremely busy. If you want to view the windows without fighting the crowds, go early in the morning before 9:00 AM or late at night after 10:00 PM. If you visit on Christmas Day expect large crowds at any hour.

Hudson Yards Shine Bright

Tonya and I were short on time so we were able to see some of the different light displays at the Shops at Hudson Yards but not much else. I was impressed with all of the lights. Lord willing it will definitely be a stop on our next itinerary when we come to the city for Christmas.

There are more than 2 million twinkling lights (that’s a lot of lights) with 115 miles of stringed lights, 725 evergreens, 10 custom-designed, 11-foot-tall toy soldiers, and 32 balloon centerpieces throughout the neighborhood.

Children can get pictures taken with Santa until December 23rd and there are pop up concerts located in the mezzanine on weekends in December.

If you have more time, make sure to check out the Vessel, which is a 150 foot building that is shaped like a bee hive. You can buy tickets and climb the building. You can also take a walk on the Highline, which is a 1.45 mile path that is 30 feet above the streets below.

We visited around 11:00 AM and it was not busy at all. Morning visits on weekdays are your best bet for experiencing the lights without the crowds. Keep in mind that the lights are more dramatic after dark so if crowds do not bother you an evening visit will give you the full visual impact.

Brookfield Place Luminaries

The Luminaries installation at Brookfield Place, located in Lower Manhattan’s Battery Park City, is one of New York City’s most unique indoor holiday displays. We did not make it here on our trip but it is on my list for next time. Suspended high above the pavilion’s iconic palm trees is a grid of 650 custom-engineered, glowing lantern cubes that change color and move in choreographed patterns.

There are numerous “Wishing Stations” that are situated on the pavilion floor. You can wave your hands above a glowing sensor to “send a wish” up into the canopy. The 650 lanterns react by lighting up with cascading lights across the entire overhead grid.

The color changing canopy responds to movement and music so evenings when the space is more active create a livelier experience. That said weekday mornings before noon will give you a peaceful visit with the display largely to yourself.

Time Warner Center “Holiday Under the Stars”

We did not make it here on our trip but it is definitely something we want to do. If you are looking to get out of the cold for a bit, taking in the 44 massive 14-foot overhead stars that are located inside, the Shops at Columbus Circle is a wonderful option.

Every night from 5:00 PM to midnight, the stars perform an automated light show every 30 minutes on the half-hour. The lights in the stars are synchronized to holiday jazz arrangements.

If you want photos of the stars reflecting off the polished marble floors, visit on a Sunday morning or a weeknight after 9:30 PM when retail traffic empties out. Another sweet spot is Thursday evenings typically between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Free shows are put on at the second floor mezzanine featuring cast members from top Broadway shows who sing and take questions from the audience.

Cartier Mansion Bow

The Cartier Mansion Bow can be found at 5th Avenue and 52nd Street and is one of the most iconic things to see while in the city. We missed seeing it this trip but we are going to see it the next time we are in the city.

The 5-story building is wrapped in a massive three-dimensional red ribbon each Christmas season. The illuminated ribbon also features Cartier’s signature panthers crawling along the front of the building.

These life-sized sculptural wild cats are covered in thousands of miniature white LED lights, giving the illusion that they are pacing across the front of the mansion.

The bow is illuminated and photographs dramatically better at night against a dark sky. Go after dark for photos and before 9:00 AM if you want a clean shot without crowds blocking the frame.

Bloomingdale’s Holiday Ceiling Lights

The Bloomingdale’s window displays get most of the press but Bloomingdale’s takes it to another level inside of the store. Bloomingdale’s uses LED panels, light sculptures, and kaleidoscopic colored chandeliers on the main floor ceiling of the store.

Each year the store has different themes and the ceiling decorations complement whatever the theme is that year. Numerous visitors describe a fully immersive experience as the ceiling lights reflect off the glass countertops and marble floors.

Indoor retail spaces like this get extremely crowded on evenings and weekends in December. Weekday mornings before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM on weeknights will give you the most breathing room to actually enjoy the displays without being shoulder to shoulder with other shoppers.

Washington Mews Holiday Lights

Washington Mews is a gated area with cobblestone streets that is one block north of Washington Square. The area has private residences and buildings that belong to NYU.

You won’t find a bunch of flash in the decorations. Buildings and homes are decorated with white window candles, evergreen wreaths, and garlands. The gas-lit street lights also add to the Christmas feel. 

The best time to visit is from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM since the ambience is the best at that time. The iron gates on the 5th Avenue side are sometimes shut since NYU controls them. If you do find the gates down, you cannot drive through the area but you are still allowed to walk the sidewalks to enjoy the decorations.

Christmas Trees Around the City

Tonya and I visited a number of the trees on this list personally. For the ones we did not make it to, I have done the research to give you the best possible guidance on what to expect from each one.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

This is, by far, the most iconic Christmas tree not only in New York but in the entire country. As good as it looks on TV, it is actually better in person. The lights seemed brighter in person and the star on top shined even more spectacularly than it does on screen.

The tree is placed directly on the plaza at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (between West 49th and 50th Streets, and Fifth and Sixth Avenues). It sits directly behind the Rockefeller Ice Rink and the golden statue of Prometheus. The tree is usually 70 to 100 feet tall, has more than 50,000 multi-colored lights, and is topped with a beautiful 900-pound three-dimensional star.

We visited on Christmas Day around 7:30 PM and it was extremely crowded. I mean extremely crowded. If you want any chance of getting a clean photo or actually enjoying the moment, go before 8:00 AM or after 10:00 PM. Christmas Day and weekends in December are the busiest times by far. If you can visit on a weekday morning, you will have a completely different experience.

Bryant Park Christmas Tree

We got to Bryant Park around 9:00 AM. The park had quite a few people in it at that time of day but it wasn’t overcrowded. The one thing that I really liked about the tree was that when taking pictures the New York Public Library and large skyscrapers were the backdrop behind the tree.

The 50 to 60 foot tree is located directly over the fountain on the east side of the ice rink. There are 30,000 dazzling LED lights and over 3,000 ornaments that are custom designed and feature nods to New York City architecture and the library complex behind it.

The tree lighting takes place in early December, typically the first Tuesday or Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM.

Morning visits before 10:00 AM give you the best chance at clean photos with the library as your backdrop before the market crowds build. Evening visits after dark show the tree at its most dramatic but expect significantly more people. If you want to catch the official lighting ceremony it typically takes place the first Tuesday or Thursday of December at 6:00 PM.

Washington Square Park Tree

The one thing that I enjoyed about the Washington Square Park Christmas tree is the fact that it is placed underneath and centered in the Washington Square Arch. That truly makes it unique from all of the other Christmas trees in the city.

We got to the park around 10:00 AM. There were a variety of people enjoying being in the park but it wasn’t overcrowded in any way. The park is quite large so it doesn’t feel as cramped as you experience with other Christmas trees in the city. There was a man playing a piano that was located near the center of the park which was quite enjoyable to listen to. This is something that happens year round.

The tree itself is around 45 feet tall. It is decorated with thousands of multi-colored lights and is capped with a glowing white star.

We visited around 10:00 AM a couple of days after Christmas and the park was relaxed and enjoyable. If you want to experience the caroling, it happens on Christmas Eve and select other evenings in December so check the schedule before you go. It is worth visiting the tree any time of day but I wish we had gone back at night to see it lit up against the arch.

South Street Seaport Tree

The next time we are in the city this will be a stop that we are going to make. The 60 to 65 foot South Street Seaport tree can be found on the pedestrian only cobblestone streets of the Seaport District at the intersection of Fulton and Front Streets just a few blocks from Pier 17.

It is decorated with thousands of white and multi-colored lights. Sticking to a nautical theme, the tree is decorated with maritime themed ornaments, silver and gold ropes resembling dock lines and a beautiful star topper.

The cobblestone streets leading up to the tree are decorated with strings of white lights that make the area feel like a winter wonderland.

While we missed the Seaport on our trip, from what I found, the best time to see the tree is between 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. At night, the historic cobblestones reflect the seasonal lights, and the glowing span of the Brooklyn Bridge creates a beautiful backdrop just a few blocks away.

Lincoln Center Tree & Plaza

The Lincoln Center campus offers multiple tree displays clustered together. The main plaza tree anchors the space where the Nutcracker is performed each season.

The Lincoln Center tree is wrapped in thousands of brilliant white lights which is a great complement to travertine stone arches and the glass facades behind it. Sitting right in front of the tree, the light from the tree reflects off the water from the choreographed Revson Fountain.

Directly across the street, there is an immersive lighting display that includes 30 trees along Dante Park and Richard Tucker Park. The lights are fully audio reactive and change colors, pulse, and move in perfect synchronization to operatic recordings from the Metropolitan Opera.

An evening visit is essential for this one. The audio reactive lighting display across the street in Dante Park and Richard Tucker Park only reaches its full impact after dark when the colors, pulses, and synchronized movements are visible against the night sky.

The Revson Fountain also reflects the tree lights more dramatically in the evening. If you can visit between 6:00 and 9:00 PM you will get the full Lincoln Center holiday experience.

Wall Street Christmas Tree

I was pleasantly surprised and really impressed by the Wall Street Christmas tree. It was much more grand than I was thinking that it would be. The tree is between 75 and 80 feet tall which is about the same size as the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree.

It is decorated with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and custom designed ornaments representing listed companies to raise awareness for various global charitable organizations.

You can find the tree on the cobblestones of the Broad Street pedestrian walkway, directly in front of the New York Stock Exchange. The massive evergreen is framed directly against the exchange’s iconic Corinthian colonnade facade, which is traditionally decorated in vibrant red and green floodlights all winter.

The Wall Street Christmas tree is a less busy alternative to the Rockefeller Christmas tree. We visited around 2:00 PM and it was not too busy.

The Financial District quiets down significantly on weekends and after business hours so this is one of the easier stops on the list to enjoy without crowds. The lighting ceremony draws a larger crowd so check the ceremony date if you want that experience specifically.

Madison Square Park Tree

This was our first stop after checking into the Hyatt Regency Herald Square hotel. We got to the park and viewed the tree around noon on Christmas Day. There were just a few people in the park at that time of day.

The Madison Square Park tree is not only the oldest Christmas tree in New York City but also the oldest outdoor public Christmas tree in the U.S. since it was first lit in 1912. The tree is over 40 feet tall and can be found in the north side of the park near the Reflecting Pool.

The tree is decorated in multi-color LED lights, a nod to how the tree was originally decorated. It’s also decorated with oversized classic ball ornaments in shades of silver, gold, red, and blue that stand out beautifully against the color of the tree. The ceremony to light the tree takes place the first week in December.

For the perfect winter glow without the rush, the best time to visit the Madison Square Park tree is in the early evening between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. The tree lights turn on in the late afternoon and stay on until midnight throughout December.

Park Avenue Memorial Trees

This is one of the most unique Christmas displays in the city and it is high on my list for our next trip. This is not one single tree but rather a two-mile stretch of trees lining Park Avenue. The tradition of the trees started in 1945 in memory of the men and women that died during World War II.

The 104 balsam trees are decorated with glittering white lights that stretch from East 54th Street all the way to East 97th Street. The trees are officially illuminated all at once on the first Sunday evening of December at 6:30 PM on the steps of the historic Brick Presbyterian Church, located at Park Avenue and East 91st Street.

The best time to visit the Park Avenue Memorial Trees is in the early evening between December and mid-January. If you prefer a quiet, scenic stroll for photography, a weekday evening offers a peaceful setting to see the avenue without the weekend foot traffic.

Lotte New York Palace Courtyard Tree

This tree can be found in the Villard House courtyard on Madison Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. Standing 30 feet tall, it is decorated with thousands of white lights and oversized shimmering gold, silver, and crimson metallic ornaments with a star topper at the peak.

You don’t need to do anything special to view the tree. The Lotte New York Palace courtyard is 100% open and free to the public. Anyone can walk through the open gates off Madison Avenue to admire and photograph the tree.

This is tucked inside a courtyard surrounded by office buildings, which makes it an interesting place to check out. Weekday midday visits between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM offer the most peaceful experience. Evening visits give the tree a more dramatic look against the dark sky and the historic Villard House facade.

The Plaza Hotel Lobby Tree

The Plaza Hotel Christmas tree carries a little more cachet since the hotel and tree made it into the filming of Home Alone 2. The tree itself is nearly 20 feet tall and is a Douglas fir. I like Home Alone 2 so I was a little disappointed that we didn’t see the lobby and tree on this trip.

The tree is wrapped in thousands of white lights and hundreds of classic metallic glass ornaments, crystal baubles, and red ribbon streamers. Traditionally, beautifully decorated oversized gifts are arranged at the base of the tree with holiday greenery.

You do have to jump through a few hoops to see the tree. While anyone can walk up and photograph the exterior entrance displays, getting inside to stand next to the lobby tree generally requires you to be an overnight hotel guest, have a reservation for one of their restaurants, or be dressed up enough to browse the lower level shops and bars.

Hotel lobbies fill up with non-guest visitors during peak evening hours in December. If you are not a guest and do not have a restaurant reservation, a good time to show up to the hotel is from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The hotel tends to have a more relaxed door policy during early morning hours when foot traffic is lighter.

Fox News All-American Christmas Tree

This was the second tree that we visited the day of Christmas. I thought that the Fox News All-American Christmas Tree was more beautiful than what I was expecting it to be.

The tree was 50 feet tall and was decorated with 18,000 beautiful ornaments and approximately 340,000 red, white, and blue LED lights, and it was topped with a 6-foot-tall dove topper with more than 4,800 lights.

The tree is located at the Fox Square in Midtown Manhattan located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas between 47th and 48th Streets. The ceremonial lighting takes place at the end of November, typically the Friday before Thanksgiving.

The best time to visit the tree is going to be Monday to Wednesday which is before the heavy weekend traffic. The tree is located near the Rockefeller Christmas tree so that is why it is so busy on the weekends. You’ll want to see the tree between 8:00 and 10:00 PM which is when the Midtown dinner crowd has cleared out.

Holiday Markets You Can Visit for Free

Union Square Holiday Market

The Union Square Holiday Market is the longest running and largest open air Christmas market in New York City. As the largest holiday market in Manhattan, it offers the widest variety of vendors. The market features dedicated sections for local NYC artists, up-and-coming designers, and international goods.

The market also has a well known food scene that is a big draw for many people who come to the market. Visitors can snack on Persian stews, hot cheese empanadas, German gingerbread, Belgian waffles, and hot chocolates. Even if you are not there to shop, the food alone makes it worth a visit. That would be me.

We did not make it to the Union Square Holiday Market since it was already shut down by the time we visited on Christmas Day. The market typically runs from late November through December 24th so do not make the same mistake we did and assume it will be open on Christmas Day.

If you want the best experience with manageable crowds, go on a weekday morning between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Weekend afternoons in December are the busiest windows and the narrow booth aisles get extremely congested.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

The market is located at the southwest entrance of Central Park. Unfortunately for us, we were in the market at night so we didn’t get to see the beautiful views of Central Park that I had read about. The market shuts down on Christmas Eve but we were there Christmas Day and many of the different shops were still open.

The market has around 130 artisan kiosks when fully open that sell handmade wooden toys, local art, artisan jewelry and so much more. If you are hungry, you can grab a bite to eat like a bratwurst, hot chocolate, gourmet churros, and French crepes.

We visited at night and missed the beautiful views of Central Park that serve as the backdrop to the market. If seeing Central Park as part of the experience matters to you, visit during daylight hours. That said the market has a warm glow at night that gives it a completely different but equally enjoyable atmosphere.

Grand Central Holiday Fair

If you want to get out of the cold for a while and at the same time do some shopping then the Grand Central Holiday Fair is a great choice. Unfortunately the fair had already shut down by the time we arrived in the city, but based on past years here is what you can expect.

The fair takes place in Vanderbilt Hall at the Grand Central Terminal. There are numerous vendors that offer handmade, American made, and socially conscious products.

Grand Central is one of the busiest transit hubs in the world and the concourse reaches peak congestion during morning rush from 7:00 to 9:00 AM and evening rush from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Visit between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM for a noticeably calmer experience where you can actually browse the fair without feeling like you are swimming upstream.

Bryant Park Winter Village

I enjoyed the Bryant Park Winter Village. There are so many different places where you can grab a bite to eat or a hot chocolate which I highly recommend. If you like to shop, there are around 170 different holiday shops where you can browse or buy something. If you like to ice skate, you can bring your own skates or rent some to get your skate on.

There is a large Lodge Bar & Food Hall beside the skating rink where you can grab a bratwurst, sliders, or pizza. You can also reserve a private heated igloo. The igloos offer curated food and beverage packages making them great for groups. The park also has a beautiful Christmas tree which makes for a great photo opportunity.

We visited the Bryant Park area around 10:00 AM and the crowds were manageable. Weekday mornings before noon are your best window for a relaxed browse through the shops and food stalls.

Holiday Music & Special Events

Caroling in Washington Square Park

If you plan on going to see the Christmas tree under the Washington Square Park arch, timing it to also take in the caroling is a great option. People are led in song by the Rob Sussman Group Quartet. Don’t worry if you don’t know the words since you will be given a collectible songbook. This is something on my list of things to do in the city the next time I am there.

The caroling takes place on Christmas Eve and select other evenings throughout December. The event typically begins around 6:00 PM under the arch. Check the Washington Square Park event schedule before you go since showing up on the wrong night means missing the caroling entirely. The tree is worth seeing any evening but the caroling is what makes this stop special.

Trinity Church Wall Street Concerts

Trinity Church Wall Street is one of the oldest churches in New York City, dating back to 1698. During the holiday season the church hosts free concerts featuring everything from choir performances to chamber music.

The historic stone interior and soaring ceilings make it one of the most spectacular settings in the city to hear live music. I did not make it here on our trip but it is on my list for next time.

If you are already planning to visit the 9/11 Memorial or the Oculus, Trinity Church is a short walk away and worth adding to your route.

Free concerts are held on select dates throughout December, typically at noon and in the early evening. Check the Trinity Church website for the exact schedule before you visit since performances are not daily. The Financial District is significantly quieter on weekends which makes for a more peaceful experience getting to and from the church.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas Décor, Nativity & Choir

It didn’t work into our schedule to go into the church to see the nativity scene or inside of the church this time around but it will be in our next schedule. We were able to view the outside of the cathedral which was decorated with wreaths on the front doors and garland on the arches.

Based on what others have reported and what the cathedral shares publicly, here is what you can expect to find inside. The nativity scene is traditionally set up on the north side of the sanctuary.

This allows for people to form a line where people can view the scene up close, pray, or take photos. The figures in the nativity are nearly life sized with the manger being empty until midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Besides the nativity scene, there are majestic Christmas trees that flank the large pillars and they are decorated with white lights with simple metallic balls. Rich evergreen garlands are draped along the choir stalls, the marble banisters, and around the base of the massive pipe organs, filling the entire stone cathedral with the scent of fresh pine.

The St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir is a world class, professional vocal ensemble. Hearing them perform under the cathedral’s soaring 110 foot vaulted ceilings sounds like it would be an incredible experience during the holidays.

The choir performs during scheduled masses so your visit needs to align with the mass schedule to hear them. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day masses are the most spectacular but also the most crowded.

We visited the outside of the cathedral on Christmas Day around 8:00 PM. There was a long line of people going into the cathedral but the atmosphere on Christmas Day is unlike anything else. If you want a quieter visit go on a weekday morning outside of mass times. Check the mass schedule before you go since access for non-worshippers is limited during services.

Iconic NYC Christmas Photo Stops

Radio City Music Hall, Giant Ornaments & Candy Cane Lane

I’m combining Radio City Music Hall, the Giant Red Christmas Ornaments, and Candy Cane Lane since they are all within a few minutes from each other.

I have seen the Radio City Music Hall Marquee Tree many times on TV. It was better seeing it in person. The lit Christmas tree sits above the marquee where the Rockettes perform. To get the best photos go to the west side of 6th Avenue which is close to the giant red ornaments.

I have always thought that the Giant Red Christmas Ornaments are really cool. They were even better in person. The ornaments are located across the street from Radio City Music Hall located in the outdoor plaza fountain right outside the 1251 Sixth Avenue building.

I am not much of a candy cane lover, but even I had to stop and stare at these. The 11 candy canes are 15 feet tall and are located directly in the outdoor corporate plaza of 1271 Avenue of the Americas (the Time & Life Building), right across the street from Radio City Music Hall and just one block north of the famous giant red ornaments. This is another iconic display that will put you in the Christmas spirit.

Crowds will be heavy from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. I am talking from experience. To beat the crowds go during the day or after 11:00 PM.

Macy’s Herald Square Entrance Displays

I have seen the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade countless times but I have never seen the store in person. Actually seeing the store decorated for Christmas in person was well worth the wait. There are 6 window displays located on the Broadway side of the flagship store. The window displays were decorated mostly in red with animated characters playing musical instruments and Christmas trees.

Besides the window displays, the main Macy’s entrance was decorated with giant wreaths, ornaments, and lights. If you are visiting the city before Christmas, you can also go inside the store and visit Santaland. Santaland requires timed entry reservations and sells out quickly, especially on weekends. So, be proactive if you think you want to visit Santaland.

We were at the store around 8:00 PM and it was very busy. If you want to be able to view the window displays and other decorations without all of the crowds come to the store at 10:30 PM or later. In the morning, you can beat the crowds by getting to the store between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

New York Public Library & Christmas Tree

The New York Public Library is located on 5th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, with Bryant Park sitting directly behind it.

The main reason I wanted to tour the library was for Tonya. She is a teacher and goes to the local library to get books for her students every day. If she wasn’t on the trip, I probably wouldn’t have gone into the library. After going through the library, I am glad that it was on our list of things to do.

You can tour the library on your own or go on a guided tour. Both options are free and you don’t need a reservation. When you go in the library, you’ll enter Astor Hall. In Astor Hall, you’ll see a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and two majestic marble staircases.

After you climb the stairs, you’ll find a dramatic vaulted thoroughfare which has arched ceilings and colorful frescoes on the third floor. The Rose Reading Room is the main showstopper and is found on this floor.

The room truly is awe inspiring to see. It covers almost a whole city block, has 52 foot ornate ceilings, and has a grid of massive, glowing brass chandeliers hanging down from the center of the room.

Make sure to check the hours for the library before you go since holiday hours may be different than their normal hours.

Don’t miss the lions named “Patience” and “Fortitude” that wear wreaths, and are located in the front of the library. Personally, I love lions and I love Christmas, so this one felt like a two for one deal. Don’t worry the lions won’t bite so you can get pictures with them.

The best time to visit the lions is after 9:00 PM. The crowds are thinner and the flood lights illuminate the lions wearing their wreaths. The best window to view the tree is from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Neighborhood Decorations & Experiences in New York City

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Brooklyn

I did a lot of research about Dyker Heights and the Christmas lights before our trip. We were looking forward to seeing the homes all decorated but we never made it because we were tired from all of the other things that we did that day. It is on top of our list of things to do the next time.

Even though it is an hour trip from Manhattan, from my research it is worth the trip and consistently ranks as one of the top holiday experiences in the entire city. When it comes to Christmas light displays, the homes in Dyker Heights are on steroids.

Homes are decorated with millions of lights featuring flashing, static, and synchronized displays alongside life-sized nutcrackers and massive Christmas inflatables.

The best zone is between 83rd and 86th Streets, spanning 11th to 13th Avenues. If you only have time for one street, 84th Street between 11th and 13th Avenues gives you the highest concentration of decorated homes in the entire neighborhood.

Don’t drive your own vehicle to see the displays. You will experience bumper to bumper traffic and parking is next to impossible to find.

The following are some homes that you don’t want to miss when you visit the neighborhood.

• The Spata House (1152 84th Street): Lucy Spata’s home started the trend in the 1980s. Her home features a huge angel and Santa collection.
• The Polizzotto Home (1145 84th Street): This home is famous for its massive, 15-foot tall toy soldiers. You can’t miss the giant mechanized nutcracker that guards the lawn.
• The Star Wars House (12th Avenue & 84th Street): The name is misleading since you won’t find anything Star Wars at the house. It got its name from a Spike TV commercial that was filmed there. It is known for its life-sized nativity scene, and is considered a local legend.

All three of these homes are clustered within a few blocks of each other on 84th Street making them easy to visit in one loop.

Dyker Heights draws visitors from around the world and the most popular viewing window is weekends between 6:00 and 9:00 PM when the crowds are at their peak.

If you want to see the lights without the congestion go on a weeknight between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The displays are fully lit by dusk so there is no reason to arrive before dark. Many homes turn their lights off between 9:00 and 10:00 PM so plan accordingly.

West Village & Greenwich Village

We wandered through the West Village on our way to Washington Square Park and the brownstone lined streets made it feel like a completely different city. The area has decorated brownstones, cozy cafes and classic holiday charm. You can also enjoy the Christmas tree under the Washington Square Park arch, which I highly recommend doing, or the quiet, tree-lined streets like Perry, Grove, or Charles.

Weekday evenings between 5:00 and 8:00 PM are the sweet spot when the brownstone windows glow with light and the decorated storefronts along the side streets are fully lit. Weekend afternoons draw larger crowds along the main commercial strips.

Central Park Winter Walk

This is something that is on our list of things to do the next time we are in New York City for Christmas.

There are many things that you can enjoy in the park for free. While in the park, you can watch people skate at Wollman Rink. You can visit the Gapstow Bridge or Bow Bridge to see beautiful views of the city skyline.

Do some shopping at Columbus Circle Holiday Market or walk down the Mall to see the beautiful winter trees and Bethesda Terrace. Visit the Delacorte Clock located near the Central Park Zoo to hear it play Christmas music every half hour.

Central Park is worth visiting at any hour but the holiday experience peaks in the evening when Wollman Rink is lit up and the winter trees along the Mall take on a completely different atmosphere after dark. Avoid weekend afternoons between 1:00 and 4:00 PM when the park reaches its peak holiday crowds.

Brooklyn Bridge Night Walk

We didn’t have enough time to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at night but it is something on my list the next time we are in the city. From everything I found while researching it, the skyline looks incredible from the bridge at night.

Plus, you can burn off the calories you have been enjoying while in the city. It is a 1.1-mile one-way walk across the bridge.

The name says it all. This one is worth doing at night when the Manhattan skyline is fully lit. Weeknights after 9:00 PM give you the clearest bridge with the fewest pedestrians. Weekend evenings are busier but the views are the same.

Other Things to Do for Free in New York City at Christmas

The following items are free things that don’t fit into any of the above categories. All of the suggestions aren’t Christmas related but are still worth doing while enjoying the city at Christmastime.

Grand Central Terminal

I have seen Grand Central Terminal so many times in movies and TV shows but standing in the main concourse at Christmas was something else entirely. The light pouring through the arched windows, the constant movement of travelers, and the festive decorations throughout make it one of the most energizing places in the city during the holidays.

One advantage of visiting Grand Central at Christmas is that you get out of the winter cold. Garlands, wreaths, and festive lighting can be found throughout the Main Concourse. Make sure to check out the hallway outside the Oyster Bar.

Two people can stand in opposite corners of the hallway and whisper and still hear the other person because of the acoustics. It works even when the concourse around you is packed with holiday travelers, which makes it feel like a small miracle.

You can also enjoy the Grand Central Holiday Fair and the Holiday Train Show both of which are covered in this guide.

The best time to visit is on Sundays since there is less commuter traffic. Monday and Tuesdays between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM are also good because midweek tourist traffic hasn’t fully peaked. Avoid weekday mornings between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM and early evening between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM to avoid peak commuter traffic.

The Oculus

The Oculus, which is located in the financial district, was my favorite building to visit while in New York City. The ribbed interior structure is unlike anything else in the city. The Oculus is a main central hub since 12 different subway lines come together underneath it. If you take the subway, you’ll come up from the station right into the Oculus.

During Christmas the main floor of the Oculus is transformed into an Alpine Village. The center of the expansive marble floor is filled with rows of charming, custom-built wooden chalets and pop-up boutiques. There is also a beautiful Christmas tree that is decorated with white metallic ornaments. It is a great place for a photo op.

We were to the Oculus in the early afternoon. It was busy but it wasn’t overly busy at that time of the day. The best time to beat the crowds is after 8:00 PM or weekend mornings between the hours of 9:00 to 11:30 AM.

9/11 Memorial

The 9/11 Memorial was a very sobering experience having lived through September 11th. I remember I was teaching school and my principal told our class what happened. It is very much worth a visit.

The memorial is located in the financial district and is just a short walk from the Oculus. You’ll want to visit the memorial during the day to get the best photos. The reflecting pools with the names etched around the edges photograph better in natural light.

We went to the 9/11 Memorial right after the Oculus in the early afternoon. It was easy to see different views of the memorial without having to deal with people. To beat the crowds go between the hours of 8:00 to 10:00 AM. If you want a more dramatic feel, visit the memorial around 4:30 since the light from the setting sun will make for more dramatic pictures.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

I’m really glad we went to Brooklyn Bridge Park since the views stopped us in our tracks. You can see the New York City skyline, the Statue of Liberty, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge.

I’m sure you have seen movies and TV shows that have been shot from this park. There is a 1.3 mile path to walk to enjoy the views. The park is worth visiting day or night.

We visited around 3:00 PM and the park was not too crowded. The skyline at dusk hits differently than midday so if you can time your visit for late afternoon you will catch both the daytime view and the city lighting up as the sun goes down. The bridge lights up beautifully after dark if you want to stay into the evening.

Ride the Staten Island Ferry

The great thing about the Staten Island Ferry is the fact that you get great views of the city and the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, when we rode the ferry there was a thick fog.

We were still able to make out the skyline through the haze, and the Statue of Liberty appeared just enough to confirm she was there. You can get on the Staten Island Ferry in the Financial District. Make sure to sit on the right side of the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty when leaving Manhattan.

We rode the ferry around 10:00 AM and there was plenty of seating available. Morning rides between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM are your best window for thinner crowds and better light for Statue of Liberty photos. Unfortunately we had thick fog on our ride so visibility was limited. Clear days give you dramatically better views so check the weather before you go.

Times Square

I know Times Square is one big tourist trap but it’s such an iconic spot that you need to do at least a walkthrough. It was Tonya’s first time to visit Times Square. Every time we see it on TV now she mentions the fact that we were there.

We visited around noon a couple of days after Christmas and it was very busy. Times Square is honestly busy at almost any hour but the neon spectacle is best experienced after dark.

Weekday evenings between 8:00 and 10:00 PM give you the full lights experience without the worst of the weekend crowds. If you go during the day you will still get the iconic experience but the neon impact is significantly reduced without darkness around it.

Grand Central Holiday Train Display

As someone who watches the Polar Express every Christmas, the Grand Central Holiday Train Display is one I am not skipping next time. The show can be found inside the New York Transit Museum and Store, located in the Shuttle Passage next to the Station Master’s Office. The show runs from mid-November through February and is completely free to view.

There is no timed entry or reservation needed to view the display. Strollers are not permitted inside the display area due to the tight quarters. Based on my research, here is what you can expect.

The display has a 34-foot, two-level model layout. Lionel model trains, vintage subways, and the Polar Express run through detailed miniature NYC streets and landmarks before heading to the North Pole. Throughout the layout you will find tiny pedestrians, realistic lights, and moving vehicles winding through the streets.

The best time to visit is on Sundays when commuter levels drop entirely or early weekdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM right when the Train Show opens, or late afternoon from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Avoid the week between Christmas and New Year if crowds bother you since Grand Central reaches its peak congestion during that period.

FAQ for Christmastime in New York City

Final Thoughts

New York City at Christmas really is something special, and the best part is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy it. Tonya and I had a great time walking around the city and seeing so many of the Christmas lights, trees, and decorations.

If you are planning a Christmas trip to New York City, I hope this list gives you some ideas and helps you enjoy the city without breaking the bank.