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What’s that line about city sidewalks dressed in holiday style? 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 romantic turns around The Rink to unexpected encounters with carol singers, there is no better time or place to embrace the festive spirit than New York City in December.
December is a time to celebrate and reflect, and there are a host of ways to do so this year. Revel in the lightscapes of Dyker Heights, soak in the historic atmosphere at the Merchant’s House Museum during “A Christmas Carol,” sing along with “Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey at the Barclays Center, and shop around the Channel Gardens to find the perfect gift for someone you love. However you choose to engage, don’t miss out on 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. Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Now through January 5
You haven’t experienced Christmas in New York until you’ve seen the Radio City Rockettes. The iconic dance company has performed at Radio City Music Hall since 1932, ushering in the holiday season one perfectly timed high-kick at a time. Add stunning costume changes, festive tunes, and city-themed scenery, and you have a show that attracts visitors from all over the world and keeps local families returning year after year. For a truly special holiday celebration to remember, book Santa’s Breakfast Spectacular, which includes premium tickets, private entry, a pre-show reception with food and an open bar, and photo opportunities with Old Saint Nick.
2. “Oh, Mary!” on Broadway
Now through January 19
When it opened in July, The New York Times called “Oh, Mary!’ “one of the best summer comedies in years.” The rave reviews have continued since, and time is running out to see what everyone’s been laughing about. A one-act play directed by Sam Pinkleton at the Lyceum Theater, Oh, Mary! stars Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks before Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The dark comedy depicts Mrs. Lincoln as a miserable woman struggling with alcoholism and yearning for a life of her own.
3. Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal
Now through February 2025
For the 20th 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.
4. “A Christmas Carol” at Merchant’s House Museum
November 26 - December 29
Ebeneezer Scrooge returns to the Merchant’s House Museum for the 12th 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 recounts this holiday classic. An hour before each performance, 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.
5. 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.
6. Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time Tour
December 15 and 17
Mariah Carey wears her “Queen of Christmas” title proudly, so it’s no surprise the most festive diva of all decided to tour the U.S. to celebrate 30 years of her hit holiday album and its beloved jingle, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” This year, Carey is decking the halls in Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, and more, but the grand finale will take place in her hometown of New York City. New Yorkers get two chances to witness Mimi’s holiday cheer: at the UBS Arena on Long Island on December 15, and at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 17.
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