It should come as no surprise that New York City ranks among the top places worldwide to ring in the holiday season and it seems like each passing year brings an ever-increasing amount of bars, restaurants + experiences donned in holiday decor to help you get into the holiday spirit. We're sharing all of the best spots around the city below + updating it with each new spot we discover.
The Classics
kicking us off with the classics of the New York City holiday season - these should come as no surprise as these spots are sure to be filled wall-to-wall with tourists in the weeks leading up to and directly after Christmas. Go early + on weekdays to avoid the bulk of holiday crowds.
Visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Ice Skating Rink
Get Tickets to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Write A Wish on Confetti to Be Released at the New Year's Eve Ball Drop at the Times Square Wishing Wall
Explore the Shops + Ice Skating at the Bryant Park Winter Village
Lookout for Disco Frank Master Guide favorites: The Truffleist + Destination Dumpling
Grab a drink at the famously decked out Rolf's German Restaurant
You only need reservations if you plan on sit-down dining. Plan to get there right before they open to avoid ridiculous wait times + lines for entry. Expect $25+ drink prices.
Enjoy the sights of the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show + window decor
Take in the decor of Macy's on 34th Street + Visit Santa
Fulfill your inner child by exploring the toys at FAO Schwarz
Explore the Dyker Heights neighborhood's over-the-top decorations
Stroll around Fifth + Sixth Avenue to see the best of retail's window decorations
Keep an eye out for Bergdorf Goodman, Cartier, Bloomindgale's for some of the best
Ice skating and wintry fun at Central Park's Wollman Rink
Bars + Restaurants
Beyond the classics of the New York Holiday Season, many bars + restaurants around the city also go above & beyond with their holiday decor + themed cocktails - enjoy bar hopping around each neighborhood to see the best of them:
Upper West Side
Ticketed Pop-Up Drink Experience at "Tinseltown" at Pekarna
Upper East Side / Lenox Hill
Famous Frozen Hot Chocolate + movie magic at Serendipity 3
Midtown
Frosty's Christmas Bar New York
Sleigh Bar
Pink Playground at the Moxy Hotel's Magic Hour
Papillon Bar + Bistro
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
Serra Stellata at Eataly's rooftop
Ophelia Lounge
Lillie's Victorian Establishment
Oscar Wilde
West Village, Chelsea, + Greenwich Village
Bell Book & Candle
Holly Jolly Holiday Bar at Mad Morton NYC
Hanukkah Themed Maccabee Bar at Ollie
Get a drink at Gallow Green
East Village + Lower East Side
Yurt garden at The Standard, East Village
Mr. Purple - Veuve Clicquot Winter Chalet
Loreley Beer Garden
Paddy Maguire's Ale House
The Skinny Bar + Lounge
Miracle on 9th Street
Pete's Tavern
SoHo + NoLita + Washington Square Park
Have a chocolate chip cookie + milk shot at Dominique Ansel Bakery
Feliz Coctelería at The Garret Coctelería
Great Jones Distilling Co.'s Whiskey Wonderland
Downtown + Seaport District
Get the Grinch Cone at Mister Dips
Dining igloos at Route 66 Smokehouse
Brooklyn - Bay Ridge
Skinflints
Brooklyn - Cobble Hill
Leyenda - "Sleyenda" holiday pop-up
Brooklyn - Williamsburg + Greenpoint
Sunday in Brooklyn's "Snowday in Brooklyn"
Ho Ho Holiday Lounge at The Springs
Queens
Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
Jersey City
Miracle on Mercer at Franklin Social
Cellar335's Sleighs + Leis
Zeppelin Hall
Winter Markets, Activities + Decorations
If you've had enough eating and drinking for the day, try exploring some of the activities, markets and decorations around the city:
Explore the Shops at Union Square Holiday Market - Union Square
The Christmas Tree at the New York Public Library - Midtown
New York Botanical Garden's Train Show + Christmas Lights - Bronx
The Christmas Tree at the New York Stock Exchange - Financial District
Christmas Market at Westfield World Trade Center - Financial District
Columbus Circle Holiday Market - Columbus Circle
Grand Central Holiday Fair - Midtown
Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market - Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Lightscape - Prospect Park
Bump! - bumper cars on ice at The Standard, High Line - Meatpacking District
See The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - Upper West Side
Bronx Zoo's Winter Wonderland - Bronx
The Christmas Tree at The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Upper East Side
Ice skate under the "northern lights" at Pier 17 - Seaport District
See the tree at Lotte New York Palace - Midtown
Explore the decor of Hudson Yards - Hudson Yards
It's Christmas all year long at Christmas in New York - Little Italy
Shelters + Volunteering
Nothing will help you get into the holiday spirit quite like donating your time or resources to those in need .Check out volunteer + donation opportunities all around the city, such as:
The Bowery Mission
Covenant House
Waldo's Rescue
The Urban Outreach Center
Mainchance Drop-In Center
Coalition for the Homeless
We hope that however you do it, you find a way to put a little disco in the details of your holiday season this year. Remember, we'll be continually vetting + updating this list so be sure to share any spots that we're missing! We wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays + Happy New Year and are looking forward to sharing many updates soon for how we'll be serving you in 2023!
