Things to Do in December in NYC: 2026 Holiday Guide

December puts holiday lights, outdoor skating, markets and stage shows on the same itinerary, but dates and hours vary by attraction. Plan by neighborhood: center Manhattan around Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, then set aside another outing for the Bronx Botanical Garden or zoo. Here are the confirmed 2026 dates, what each event offers and how to make the schedule easier to manage.

What are the best things to do in NYC in December?

For a first December visit, combine the Rockefeller Center tree, Bryant Park Winter Village and one ticketed seasonal attraction. This gives you a mix of landmark displays, skating or shopping, and a seasonal event without trying to fit every holiday stop into one day.

In Midtown Manhattan, the Rockefeller Center tree is scheduled to remain on view through mid-January 2027. Bryant Park’s rink and Holiday Shops make a good choice for an outing that pairs skating with market browsing. For a show, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes runs from November 4, 2026, through January 4, 2027.

For a change of pace, head to the Bronx for the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show or Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Both run into early January, so they can fit before or after the busiest holiday dates. If you are comparing seasonal city trips, see our guide to Christmas markets in Europe or browse family Christmas vacation ideas.

When is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in 2026?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 7 to 10 p.m. The tree is a 76-foot Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York, decorated with more than 50,000 LED lights. Check Rockefeller Center’s tree page for visitor updates and viewing details.

The ceremony is a specific date and time, while the tree remains on view beyond the event, through mid-January 2027. If the ceremony is your priority, keep the evening free and plan your arrival and route ahead; if you prefer a more flexible stop, visit on another day. For the lighting, allow extra time around the event and avoid building a tight reservation immediately afterward.

Another seasonal date for Manhattan is Fifth Avenue’s holiday Open Streets event on December 13. NYC Tourism says seven blocks will become a pedestrian-focused holiday promenade. Large menorahs are also scheduled to be lit at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn and Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan from December 4 through 12. See NYC Tourism’s 2026 holiday event details when arranging those outings.

Where can you go ice skating in New York City in December?

Bryant Park’s rink is scheduled to operate daily from October 28, 2026, through February 28, 2027, with free skating admission and a separate fee for skate rental. Regular rink hours are listed as 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; from November 19 through January 3, peak holiday hours are 8 a.m. to midnight.

The rink is part of Bryant Park Winter Village, where the Holiday Shops are scheduled to run October 28 through January 3. Listed shop hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Check the official Bryant Park Winter Village page for the current schedule and rental options.

As of October 27, 2026, Bryant Park lists skate rentals from $18.72 to $64.48, before taxes; rental prices depend on the reservation. Admission to skate is free, but skate rental costs extra. Budget separately for rental if you need skates.

To make the outing less rushed, choose a skating time first and leave room to browse the shops around it. The rink’s extended peak-season hours give you an evening option, while the market’s listed hours end at 8 p.m.

What holiday shows and attractions are open in December?

The Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show and Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights are three confirmed seasonal attractions for December 2026. Their dates and formats differ, so choose based on whether you want a timed performance, a landmark display or an evening of outdoor lantern trails.

The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is scheduled for November 4, 2026, through January 4, 2027, with 230 performances reported for the season. The show runs 90 minutes without an intermission. Select a date and performance time from the official Rockettes calendar; the calendar notes that dates, times and prices can change.

The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show runs November 14, 2026, through January 10, 2027. It features nearly 200 landmark replicas crafted from plant materials. Check the Holiday Train Show page for admission and visit details before setting a date.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights is scheduled on select dates from November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Listed hours are 1 to 9 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m.; the lights and lantern trails open at 4:30 p.m. A separate Holiday Lights ticket is required. As of October 27, 2026, date-specific tickets are listed at $37.95 for adults, $22.95 for children ages 3–12 and $32.95 for seniors. Any-Night tickets are listed at $42.95, $27.95 and $37.95, respectively. Confirm the date and ticket type on the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights FAQ.

What is the weather like in New York City in December?

Central Park’s December climate normals show an average high of 44.3°F, an average low of 33.8°F and average monthly snowfall of 4.9 inches. Use those figures to plan for cold outdoor waits and time on foot, while keeping in mind that conditions on your dates may differ.

Pack warm layers, a coat and footwear suited to cold or wet sidewalks, especially if your plan includes skating, the tree lighting or the zoo’s evening lantern trails. Keep an indoor attraction or a flexible break in the day’s plan so outdoor stops do not have to carry the whole itinerary.

What should you book in advance for a December trip to NYC?

Book timed performances and ticketed holiday attractions as early as your plans allow, especially if you have a specific date in mind. The Rockettes have a published performance calendar, and the Holiday Train Show and Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights have defined seasonal dates; check each venue’s official booking page for availability and current prices.

For Bryant Park, decide whether you need skate rental and review the reservation options before arriving. For the tree lighting and December 31 in Times Square, check current city and venue guidance before making plans around viewing areas or access. NYC Tourism lists the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration across December 31, 2026, and January 1, 2027, but the viewing arrangements should be checked closer to the date.

Christmas Day needs its own schedule check: do not assume a seasonal attraction, market or performance will follow its regular hours. Verify the specific venue’s December 25 hours directly, and make meal and transit plans around confirmed opening times rather than a typical weekday schedule.

How should you get around during a December NYC visit?

Use the subway and local buses to connect Manhattan and the Bronx, then group nearby stops so you spend less time crossing the city in cold weather. As of October 27, 2026, the MTA’s base fare for subway and local-bus rides is $3.00 per ride; check current service information before setting a tight connection.

A simple itinerary might pair Rockefeller Center with Bryant Park on one Manhattan day, then reserve a separate day for a Bronx attraction. For December 31, avoid assuming your usual route or viewing plan will work: check current event guidance for closures, access and travel changes. If a disruption changes your plans, our step-by-step travel emergency guide offers practical next steps.

December rewards a little structure: anchor each day with one booked event, leave room for nearby lights or shops, and verify hours shortly before you go. That keeps the trip focused without turning every evening into a race across town.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bryant Park ice skating free?

Yes. Bryant Park lists rink admission as free, but skate rental costs extra. As of October 27, 2026, listed rentals range from $18.72 to $64.48 before taxes.

When does the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show run?

The 2026–27 Holiday Train Show is scheduled for November 14, 2026, through January 10, 2027. It features nearly 200 landmark replicas made from plant materials.

When do the Rockettes perform in NYC in 2026?

The Christmas Spectacular is scheduled from November 4, 2026, through January 4, 2027. The show runs 90 minutes without an intermission.

What can you do in NYC on New Year's Eve 2026?

NYC Tourism lists the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration across December 31, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Check current guidance closer to the date for viewing and access arrangements.