A Guide To A Christmas Week In New York

11th December 2023

As we head into winter, there is one thing that is on practically everyone’s mind: Christmas. In fact, if you are planning a Christmas trip to the festive city of New York, you’re reading the right article.

The following is a useful guide to exploring New York during the most wonderful time of the year. So, if you would like some inspiration for your New York itinerary, whether going alone, as a couple, or on a once in a lifetime luxury group holiday, don’t stop reading!

Where to Stay

New York offers a collection of hotels that know exactly how to boost festive spirits, ranging from extravagant Christmas decorations to pop-up Christmas attractions.

You are bound to find the perfect festive hotel for your stay in New York. However, we also suggest keeping an eye out for the following when you are trying to make your choice:

· Price

You can expect hotel prices to skyrocket during the Christmas season. But while it might be tempting to go “all out” on a fancy hotel in the city, you shouldn’t have to break the bank for a luxury hotel experience.

Don’t be afraid, then, to shop around for the best New York hotel prices – many will often promote deals during this time to help boost revenue.

· Amenities

While you might spend most of your time exploring the city, you should still be able to unwind and relax comfortably at your hotel. As a result, we recommend finding hotels that provide additional amenities or services that can enhance your stay.

Hotels like The Aman NYC offer spa and wellness services that you can take advantage of in order to truly relax during your stay in the Big Apple.

· Location

New York City is large, and is the most populous city in the US. With hotels and other forms of accommodation scattered across the metropolis, the location of your hotel can play a key role.

You can expect traffic to be chaotic during this time, so it’s important that you are close to public transport links (namely the subway) or areas that you wish to visit. This can make it easier for you to explore the city, getting from one place to another in no time.

Things to Do & See

December in New York promises grandeur – after all, the city is a famous backdrop for many favourite Christmas films. In just a week, you can witness incredible sights and have unforgettable experiences!

Christmas Markets

From food and drinks to decorations and gifts, Christmas markets in New York are simply on another level. No matter if you are planning a solo, couple, or family trip to New York during the festive season, you won’t want to miss out on the Christmas markets.

Our top recommendations are:

Bryant Park Winter Village – open until early next year, this Christmas market offers a selection of stalls, eateries, and a 17,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink (which is completely free to use!)
Columbus Circle Christmas Market – found in the southwest corner of Central Park, this large market is renowned for its range of festive food and drink, offering the likes of European holiday favourites like bratwursts, mulled wine, and more
Union Square Holiday Market – this market offers similar vibes to the previous, ideal for Christmas shopping; from jewellery and clothing to woodwork and chocolate, you are bound to find the perfect Christmas present or souvenir here

Christmas Lights

Watch the bustling city of New York light up in an array of colourful lights during Christmas time. Don’t overlook the beautiful lights that illuminate the city, should you find yourself here during the festive season. Here are some of the places you need to be:

Dyker Heights – this area in Brooklyn is known for its grand light display and decorations during the holidays
Rockefeller Christmas Tree – don’t miss out on the famous Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony, which sees the tall tree beam in an array of festive colours!
New York Botanical Garden GLOW – you’ll need tickets to see the Botanical Garden brighten in thousands of lights and whimsical installations

Window Shopping

Christmas in New York isn’t complete without doing a little bit of window shopping. Particularly, you will find lavish and intricate window displays in various shops throughout the city, including the likes of:

Macy’s – this department store is well known for its stunning window displays that feature gorgeous Christmas iconography, from reindeers to Santa and more. Don’t forget to also head inside into Macy’s Santaland for a festive wonderland of games, exhibits, and pictures with Santa
Cartier – the windows of its flagship store on 5th Avenue are a must-see during the Christmas season; expect an astonishing festive display that’s perfect for pictures and selfies
Bloomingdale’s – on 59th Street, you’ll find Bloomingdale’s mesmerising Christmas window display that will surely impress.

There you have it – a rundown of just some of the things that help to make a Christmas season spent in New York City so magical. Equip yourself with the above tips and information, and you will be well-placed to make only the finest memories during your time in NYC this Yuletide.