Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

NYC's Most Offbeat Christmas Activities

1. Tuba Christmas – Rockefeller Center

Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hundreds of tenor and bass tuba players congregate at The Rink at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites.
Why it's unusual: Tubists of all ages and from all over the country line up under the famous Christmas tree and fill the plaza with the organ-like sound of low brass.
What visitors can expect: The concert lasts about 30 minutes, and spectators are encouraged to sing along with the Christmas carols and holiday favorites. This festive show is completely FREE and coincides with the Holiday Open Streets on Fifth Avenue in 2025.
Insider tips: Merchandise is for sale and is cash-only.

2. Unsilent Night – Washington Square Park

Sunday, December 14, 2025
Each year, composer Phil Kline leads a massive chorus of boomboxes from the West Village to the East Village in the annual holiday presentation of Unsilent Night.
Why it's unusual: Kline hands out a limited number of vintage boomboxes from his collection—and cassettes and CDs for those who bring their own. Participants can also = use their smartphones!
What visitors can expect: Each participant gets one of four tracks of music in the form of a cassette, CD, or MP3 file. Together, all four tracks comprise Unsilent Night. Then, everyone walks a carefully chosen route through the city’s streets, creating a unique mobile sound sculpture, which is different depending on each listener's perspective. Participation, whether as a marcher or spectator, is completely FREE.
Insider tips: The public is strongly encouraged to bring their own boomboxes or sound-blasters, and to pre-download the track.

3. Reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas – Harlem

Sunday, December 14, 2025
The beautifully decorated Church of the Intercession invites the public into its glorious nave for a festive annual reading of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," followed by a celebration of its author, who is buried in the cemetery bordering the church. 
Why it's underrated: This annual event has been a mainstay of the church's holiday programming for more than 100 years, yet remains a hidden gem on the border of Harlem and Washington Heights. It's a beautiful community-centered celebration. 
What visitors can expect: The reading is followed by a lantern procession through Trinity Cemetery and Mausoleum for a short service at the gravesite of the poem's author, Clement Clarke Moore. The event is FREE and open to all.

4. Artechouse Holiday Special – Chelsea

Monday, December 15, 2025-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Experience the magic of the holiday season reimagined through art and technology at the immersive Artechouse.
Why it's unusual: This limited-engagement brings together two audience favorites—Spectacular Factory and Tingle Bells—in one joyful, multisensory celebration for the entire family.
What visitors can expect: This holiday experience features immersive art, interactive installations, and festive sensory experiences for all ages. The experience lasts 1 hour
Insider Tips: Timed-entry tickets are required, so book online before venturing out. Artechouse is located in Chelsea Market, so make sure to check out all the yummy eats and festive decorations when you're done.

5. Dyker Christmas Lights – Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Nightly through New Year's Eve
The Brooklyn neighborhood of Dyker Heights is famous for its Christmas light displays and decorations.
Why it's unusual: The entire neighborhood of Dyker Heights comes alive with Christmas lights and decorations right after Thanksgiving. There's even a PBS documentary about the glorious displays.
What visitors can expect: It's block-by-block opulence featuring some of the most over-the-top decorated Christmas houses. There are lights aplenty, plus Santas, nativity scenes, and more festive fun.
Insider tips: Displays can be seen throughout the neighborhood, but the hot spot is 11th to 13th Avenues between 83rd and 86th Streets. You can now see the lights by bus on a tour organized by A Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tour. If you choose to visit on your own, it's completely FREE.

6. Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off – East Harlem

Through Monday, January 19, 2026
More than a dozen bakers across the city crafted their own versions of iconic NYC places made out of gingerbread at this annual exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York.
Why it's unusual: These creations go beyond your normal gingerbread house. These edible masterpieces are a wonder to see. You'll no doubt get hungry.
What visitors can expect: Visitors see everything from brownstones and bridges to bodegas and ballparks, all made out of gingerbread. Visitors can vote for their favorite.
Insider tips: Be sure to stick around and explore the rest of the exhibits at MCNY when you're done.

7. Alternative Holiday Markets – Multiple Locations

Select weekends in December
The holiday markets at Union Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, and Columbus Circle are the most popular holiday markets in NYC, but there are a number of smaller, neighborhood-specific holiday markets and pop-ups where you may find that perfect gift for your loved one. Some of our favorite alternative holiday markets include:

• Chinatown Holiday Market
• FAD Market
• BrickHouse Ceramics Holiday Market
• Japanese Holiday Market
• Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market

Why it's unusual: These under-the-radar holiday markets tend to feature the work of local artisans, craftspeople, and independent businesses.
What visitors can expect: Browse a curated selection of locally-made jewelry, unique crafts, vintage items, artfully curated fashions, ceramics, and gourmet sweets and treats that you won't find anywhere else.
Insider tips: Some of the markets are only for one weekend, so make sure to check their websites for dates and locations.

8. A Christmas Ghost Tour – East Village

Select dates in December
For a really unusual Christmas activity, discover the connections between New York City history and current holiday traditions on the Boroughs of the Dead’s annual Ghosts of Christmas Past tour.
Why it's unique: This holiday tour highlights the dark magic of Yuletide as your very knowledgeable tour guide regales you with tales of ghosts, goblins, trolls, and spirits, and reveals the truly tumultuous history of Christmas.
What visitors can expect: On this 90-minute tour, you'll visit several landmarks in the East Village and learn about the history of Christmas traditions and stories of important historical figures.
Insider Tips: Make sure to dress warm because the entire tour is outside, rain or shine. Purchase tickets in advance—and mind the age recommendations, here. It's recommended for ages 8+, and all kids 8-13 must be accompanied by an adult.

9. A Merchant's House Christmas Carol – NoHo

Select dates through Saturday, December 27, 2025
Sit back and relax while Charles Dickens enacts A Christmas Carol at the beautifully preserved Merchant's House Museum.
Why it's unique: This is a one-man show in which John Kevin Jones and Vince Gatton alternate in portraying the author to bring to life his famous story in an atmospheric setting. Select performances include an optional reception at which the audience sips mulled wine and listens to a recitation of Moore's “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”
What visitors can expect: The performances last about 70 minutes and is not recommended for kids under 12.

10. Winter Concert at the Museum at Eldridge Street – Lower East Side

Thursday, December 25, 2025
While the rest of the city is closed for the holiday, the beautiful Museum at Eldridge Street hosts an annual Christmas Day concert.
Why it's unique: This historic Lower East Side synagogue-turned-museum celebrates the season with an afternoon of klezmer music.
What visitors can expect: Yale Strom and his band, Hot Pstromi, headline the affair, bringing a mix of classic Yiddish tunes and original compositions to life in an incomparable destination.
Insider tips: Cool Culture Pass holders or SNAP recipients pay just $5.

FAQs for Unique Christmas Activities in NYC

What holiday activities in NYC are underrated or lesser-known?
We've rounded up many holiday activities in NYC that are unique and unusual, including Unsilent Night, Dyker Lights, and A Christmas Ghost Tour.

Are these unusual NYC holiday activities family-friendly?
Yes! All the activities that we've highlighted are family-friendly.

Which unique NYC holiday activities are FREE?
Unsilent Night, Tuba Christmas, a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” and the Dyker Lights are all FREE.

Where can I find alternative holiday experiences away from the crowds?
Beyond the above suggestions, our NYC Family Activity Calendar highlights a bevy of holiday happenings. In general, FREE events tend to be more popular and crowded. If you're concerned about crowds, opt for events that require tickets or a pre-visit RSVP.