Christmas in New York City has a special kind of magic to it. We all know how beautiful the Christmas tree is in Rockefeller Center and how spectacular the Rockett’s are, but there are actually a lot more ways you can enjoy this season in NYC without dealing with all of the crowds! Here are some of our favorite things to do that are a little off the beaten path.
- Dyker Heights Lights
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In the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, you’ll find the homeowners take great pride in their over-the-top light displays. The display is from 11th to 13th avenues and 83rd to 86th street.
- Hit the Holiday Markets
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NYC offers so many holiday markets for you to get your holiday shopping done while supporting local businesses. Often times there’s even food and hot cocoa vendors to really get you in the holiday spirit. Some of our favorites are the Handmade Calvalcade, Grand Bazaar, and the Renegade Craft Fair.
- Walk Through the Largest Gingerbread Village in the World
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GingerBread Lane is in the New York Hall of Science in Queens, and is the guinness world record holder of the biggest gingerbread village. You can even pay a little extra to take a gingerbread house workshop and make a creation of your very own! Find more information here: https://nysci.org/event/gingerbread-lane/
- Christmas Caroling
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Phil Kline is leading this year’s 27th annual Unsilent Night event in NYC. Unsilent Night is an event that gets the community together to sing Christmas carols! This night of caroling is on December 15th this year, it begins at the arch at Madison Square Park at 5:45pm. Find more information here: http://newyork.unsilentnight.com/
- Ice Skating at Prospect Park
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Avoid the line at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park to enjoy your fill of ice skating at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park! This venue is affordable and you can even warm up with a hot cocoa in their cafe afterwards.
These are great opportunities to get out of the Rockefeller Center comfort zone this year to enjoy New York City in one of its best seasons while getting in the holiday spirit yourself!