Top NYC Holiday Events

Top NYC Holiday Events

New York City hosts some of the world’s most well-known events for the holidays! These range from large festivals and holiday parades to musical concerts and art exhibitions. Whether you’re planning to visit NYC this year, next year, or even in the future, bookmark this page for reference. Below is a list of NYC holiday events where you should surely enjoy during your tour to NYC!

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

The Bronx Zoo’s dazzling holiday festival is a great event to start out your tour! The festival includes moving lights and LED displays depicting animals from all over the world. The zoo is likely to have over 260 animal lanterns spread throughout 5 regionally represented lantern safaris from across the world. However, this year’s lanterns feature 79 new animal species, including brand-new walrus and guanacos! There will also be a Forest of Color, which will feature 21 brand-new larger-than-life lanterns featuring toads, frogs, snails, sunbirds, turtles, moths, butterflies, and more. Christmas music, ice carvings, costumed characters, stilt walkers, a holiday train, a wildlife theater, souvenirs, and seasonal delights like hot chocolate and s’mores will be among the attractions.

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

The holiday season in December in New York City begins with the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. It will be proceeding on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving. In the weeks following, brave the cold to view the massive tree decked with hundreds of thousands of colorful lights. Throughout the first week of the new year, the tree remains illuminated and it’s truly a sight not to be missed! 

The lighting of the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorahs

The world’s largest menorahs are lit to commemorate Hanukkah. One is located on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan (right in front of the Plaza Hotel). This 4,000-pound gold-colored steel festive emblem stands 32 feet tall and is a sight to behold. A similar menorah may be found at Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, which is located across the river (at the head of Prospect Park). Every evening of the festival, a candle will be lighted on each menorah.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker

With their Lincoln Center performance of The Nutcracker, the New York City Ballet has brought images of the Sugarplum Fairy, marching toy soldiers, and the Mouse King to life for more than 50 years. Old-fashioned costumes, an onstage snowfall, stunning scenery, including a one-ton Christmas tree, and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s ageless music differentiate the presentation.

Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show

The Saks Fifth Avenue light show is impossible to miss! It is a must-see holiday event for everyone. Plus, it is a world-renowned Christmas window display and spectacular light show that takes place every year. It usually occurs around Thanksgiving and lasts until the beginning of January. Christmas Light Show at Saks Fifth Avenue in 2021/2022 Schedule: November 23, 2021 at 7 p.m. through January 4, 2022. Every 10 minutes from approximately 4:35 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., seven days a week. The Saks light display is around 5 minutes in duration. You’ll find it at the Saks Fifth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets, New York. Remember! Views from Rockefeller Center are the best!

Times Square New Year’s Eve

It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without the Times Square crystal ball drop. Normally, thousands of people congregate in the surrounding streets to watch the performances and countdown to midnight, but the New York City celebration that began in 2021 was largely virtual. Keep an eye out for details on this year’s celebrations to welcome 2022. 

Though these are the topmost interesting holiday events in NYC, many other events are held all over the year. However, it is better to plan your tour as you could also capture these awesome events. Undoubtedly, there is a lot to enjoy when in NYC!