The Best FREE Things to Do in New York City During the Holidays
New York City doesn’t do low-key or subdued or understated. Those words aren’t even in its vocabulary. It’s a “Go Big or Go Home” kinda town. So it's not difficult to imagine just how festive the Big Apple is during the holidays. From incredible light and holiday-themed displays to one-of-a-kind events and activities, New York City makes it nearly impossible to get your Grinch on. Now, there are plenty of things worth parting with your hard-earned cash for. Big-ticket events like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker are huge draws every year. But we’re here to let you in on a little secret: you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy the holiday season in The City That Never Sleeps.
So, whether you’re a local staying put or you’re coming for a visit during the holiday season, we’ve compiled this handy list of our favorite free things to do in New York City during the holidays.
Unsilent Night
Wanna go caroling but can’t carry a tune? Not to worry! Unsilent Night is an annual event in which a procession of participants trek from the West Village (under the arch in Washington Square Park) to the East Village (Tompkins Square Park under the giant elm tree), all while blasting four intermingled pieces of composer Phil Kline’s holiday score. While some participants pull their boomboxes out of storage, just your smartphone will do too. Wearing Santa hats, reindeer antlers, ugly sweaters and battery-powered lights isn’t mandatory… but it’s certainly encouraged. Free and open to the public, you’ll just need to bring your own device and download one of the four compositions.
2023 Update: Unsilent Night is on Sunday, December 17th, 2023 at 6:00pm in Washington Square Park. Check their website for updates.
Store Holiday Windows
Every year, the department stores throughout New York City vie for your attention with incredibly imaginative holiday window displays. Most windows go through an extensive design process that lasts an entire year, and you’ll find high-profile collaborations (like Barney’s 2017 window display featuring the work of L.A. design duo, The Haas Brothers), to partnerships with iconic brands (like Bloomingdale’s 2017 Swarovski crystal-themed The Greatest Showman displays). A short route will take you past the most luxurious windows, or continue down Fifth Avenue and 34th Street for the full treatment.
Pro Tip: Many of the larger retailers have window unveiling events that are open to the public and often feature elaborate performances, free refreshments and more. If you miss the unveiling and plan on checking out the windows later, go late in the evening or early in the morning for unobstructed views (and photos!). Just remember to dress warmly, here's a winter packing list to ensure you have all your bases covered.
2023 Update:
Bergdorf Goodman: Coming soon
Bloomingdale’s: November 17, 2023 at 6:00 pm. The unveiling event will be streamed live from the Flagship Store at 59th St.
Saks Fifth Avenue: November 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm. The unveiling event will feature an exclusive performance, fireworks display and special guests. Dior’s Carousel of Dreams will “transform Saks’ iconic New York flagship into a winter wonderland this holiday season, with a reimagined light show experience, a complete visual takeover of Saks’ historic, 10-story-tall facade, and the most extensive holiday window display Saks has ever created in collaboration with a brand partner.”
Fifth Avenue Holiday Sculpture Trail
The Fifth Avenue Holiday Sculpture Trail is an exciting addition to the city’s festive landscape. Ten supersized toys are scattered all along the iconic avenue, and make for another fun free activity. As you take in the eye-catching decorations at all the iconic luxury retailers, hunt down all ten illuminated sculptures. In 2021, a poem was featured next to each one.
Holiday Train Show and Nostalgia Train Rides
Though the New York Transit Museum is located in Brooklyn, Grand Central Station is home to their Gallery Annex and Store. Located in the station’s Shuttle Passage, the Gallery Annex and Store gets into the holiday spirit each year with its Annual Holiday Train Show. The display features Lionel trains traveling along a 34’ long, two-level, “O” gauge model train layout, which departs from a miniature replica of Grand Central Terminal on their way to the North Pole. The theme of the holiday train show changes every year and the event is free and open to the public.
But that's not the only way the New York Transit Museum gets into the holiday spirit! It also offers Holiday Nostalgia Train Rides on Sundays between Thanksgiving and New Year's. It's not entirely free, but for the cost of a Metro Card swipe, you get to ride on a vintage 1930's R1-9 train car. And New Yorkers love a good excuse to travel back in time, so don't be surprised if you show up for the Nostalgia Train Ride and find some commuters in vintage dress there to accompany you.
2023 Update:
The Holiday Nostalgia Rides will take place on every Saturday in December. The trains are back on the F line this year, traveling from 2nd Avenue to 145th Street between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm on the following dates:
December 2, 2023
December 9, 2023
December 16, 2023
December 23, 2023
December 30, 2023
Holiday Markets
Can’t travel to Europe for their Christmas Markets? You’re in luck! New York City has several fantastic holiday markets to help you bask in seasonal cheer. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, The Union Square Holiday Market and The Columbus Circle Holiday Market have all partnered with Urbanspace, which means that in addition to great shopping for local artisanal goods, you can now enjoy expertly curated food experiences as well. The Winter Village at Bryant Park also offers ice skating, igloos and curling (for a fee). For more family-friendly fun, make your way to the carousel where you may find a magic show or story time event taking place.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
2023 Update:
Bryant Park Winter Village: Oct 27, 2023 - Jan 2nd, 2024
Union Square Holiday Market: Nov 16, 2023 - Dec 24, 2023
Columbus Circle Holiday Market: Nov 28, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting and Holiday Displays
The tree and holiday displays at Rockefeller Center are iconic. Besides catching the live broadcast of the tree lighting, you’ve likely seen it a million times in movies and television shows. There’s a reason the tree is an annual pilgrimage for locals and tourists alike: it’s fantastic. The annual tree lighting ceremony is free and open to the public, though you’ll have to get there early to secure a spot for the popular event. You can skate at The Rink (for a fee), but just strolling around the area and taking in the magical displays will be enough to fill you with holiday spirit.
2023 Update:
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 29.
After November 29 the Tree will be lit daily from 5am-12am. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am-9pm.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is what happens when an affluent neighborhood turns holiday decorating into a competition. And the winners, of course, are the visitors. If you’re like us and you make it an annual ritual to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you’ll understand when we tell you that even Clark Griswold would feel inadequate in this neighborhood! From life-size Nutcracker dolls to lights of every shape and size, you're in for quite a treat.
Pro Tip: Strolling around the neighborhood is free, but please note that it’s still a residential area and parking is restricted. Consider taking public transportation or a rideshare service. For a hassle-free experience, it might be worth it to shell out some cash for a guided tour.
Runs through the month of December, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. Displays are generally removed by the first week of January.
Rolf's German Restaurant and Bar
Okay, so this isn't technically free. Sure, there's no entry fee, but it's expected you'll buy something--at least a drink. Rolf's is a German restaurant and bar in New York City, known principally for its elaborate holiday decorations. And when we say "elaborate", we mean the restaurant has an alleged $60,000 budget for their 100,000-plus lights and 15,000-plus ornaments. They begin work on the display in September with a deadline of November 1st, and it takes a crew--often working around the clock--to complete the work.
Pro Tip: Rolf's is a holiday institution, so getting reservations for a meal is a must. If you're just grabbing a drink at the bar, note that you might have to wait in line so plan accordingly.
Conclusion
As you can see, whether your jam is caroling, mind-blowing window displays, miniature or old-fashioned trains, ice skating, markets, iconic 80-foot trees, or insane holiday lights displays, the city has you covered. So get out there and make it one to remember. New York City is officially yours for the holidays.
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