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Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now

1. The Nutcracker Ballet – Multiple Locations

This holiday staple is a must-watch for ballet fans, young and old. The fun and colorful sets and costumes make it a great introduction to the art form for young audiences. Each year, we update our roundup of the best Nutcracker ballets for kids. For a classic rendition, catch a showing of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center and select locations like the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. You can introduce little ones to the performance with My First Nutcracker from the New York City Children's Theater. For a fresh new twist, opt for The Brooklyn Nutcracker at City Tech, which puts a local and hip-hop spin on the ballet.

2. Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – Midtown West

This Christmas tradition, performed by the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, has been a beloved NYC holiday staple since 1933. Insanely, the annual Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is still going strong after many decades and plays multiple shows per day all holiday season long. This year, the performance celebrates 100 years since the Rockettes were formed in 1925! The beautifully choreographed show is full of dazzling lights and sparkling outfits. It's a holiday sight to behold at least once.

3. Holiday Shows and Concerts – Multiple Locations

If you're not rocking the Rockettes this year or said "no" to The Nutcracker, NYC still has plenty of holiday shows. Craving a classic Christmas tale? You may enjoy a performance of A Christmas Carol at The Perelman. The Met Opera's adaptation of The Magic Flute is a timeless pick and has been translated into English and abridged to make it kid-friendly. Uncover the true meaning of Christmas with The Peanuts gang in A Charlie Brown Christmas at Kings Theatre. Both the New York Philharmonic and The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall have Christmas concerts catering to all ages, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performances are always amazing to behold. Cirque du Soleil's 'Twas the Night Before... returns to the Theater at Madison Square Garden for a Christmas season run, too.

4. Holiday Train Show at NYBG – Bronx Park, the Bronx

The annual Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see. Even family members who aren't fascinated by trains will be captivated by the plant-based replicas of iconic NYC architecture. Special evening viewings are available as well, and offer a completely different look at the exhibit in a new light.

See wild animals brought to life in lantern form at the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Photo by Jody Mercier

5. Holiday Light Shows – Multiple Locations

Don't miss the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights, where more than 400 lanterns highlight nearly 100 species of animals and plants. Laid out in winding paths, they feature species from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America, plus ocean life and an immersive Forest of Color, Enchanted Sea, and the Freeze Zone, which is new for this year. You can also marvel at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Lightscape exhibit, which provides an enchanting evening experience that connects hundreds of sparkling lights with surrounding nature. The completely FREE holiday light show at Saks Fifth Avenue is also back this holiday season after a hiatus last year. No tickets are required, but we recommend going early in the evening on a weeknight for the lightest crowds. It debuts on Monday, November 24.

6. Outdoor Ice Skating – Multiple Locations

Winter will be upon us before you know it, which means it's time to break out those skates and hit the ice at these family-friendly ice skating rinks in NYC. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is already open and booking tickets through the end of the year, so you can plan to glide under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Reservations are also open for the rink at Bryant Park's Winter Village. Consider booking a cozy igloo for a rest between your adventures.

7. Big Apple Circus – Lincoln Center

The Big Apple Circus promises to bring the "World's Best Under Our Big Top" when it opens on Friday, November 7, 2025. The show runs through Sunday, January 4, 2026. Book your tickets now to watch amazing acrobatics, awesome stunts, and a healthy dose of comedy from NYC's hometown troupe.

8. A Very Merry Knicks Christmas – Midtown West

Spend your Christmas at the Garden watching the Knicks play the Cleveland Cavaliers. At the time of this writing, tickets aren't just on sale—they're already nearly sold out! It's a fun event for the whole family, but it's also the one on this list most likely to sell out first.

The over-the-top Dyker Lights are an only-in-NYC sight. Photo by Jody Mercier

9. Dyker Lights Tours – Multiple Locations

New York City glows with festive lights every Christmas, but a few neighborhoods have been known to go the extra mile when it comes to decor, including the Dyker Lights in Brooklyn! While it's fun to just walk around these on your own, there are also several tours you can take for a more guided ramble through the light displays. Book now to enjoy a Holiday Lights and Movie Sites tour with On Location Tours or the Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights with A Slice of Brooklyn bus tours.

10. Holiday Boat and Train Rides – Multiple Locations

Sometimes, it's all about the journey! The holiday-themed boat rides by City Cruises offer visitors a chance to experience the city lights from a different perspective. Cruises include live entertainment, festive menus, and are fun for the whole family. If you'd rather keep your feet on solid ground, take a trip on one of these Polar Express trains near NYC, including the famous Essex North Pole Express, whose tickets sell out instantaneously.

11. Candlelight Concerts – Multiple Locations

Candlelight performances are already magical—enjoy classical music lit by candles for a cozy and intimate setting—but the Christmas shows are even more of a treat. This December, catch live candlelit performances of Christmas classics like Deck the Halls and Silent Night during a Christmas Carols on Strings Candlelight Concert at Sony Hall or St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church. Act fast to get yours for an unforgettable show.

12. Book a Holiday Dinner Reservation – Multiple Locations

It may seem too early to think about mealtime during the holidays, but the most popular locations in the city tend to sell out very early. You can call to make a reservation for Rolf's, NYC's most festive restaurant, or one of these other spectacularly decorated holiday pop-ups and family-friendly restaurants in NYC. If you're deep into planning mode, maybe it's time to book those reservations for Christmas dinner, too.

READ NEXT: Quintessential NYC Christmas Experiences for Kids

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Originally published in 2024.