It’s official! December is here and you know what that means. It’s time to decorate your dorm with holiday lights, drink as much hot chocolate as you possibly can, and get in the holiday spirit! No matter what holiday you celebrate, December is the month to be jolly and festive. Although finals are coming up, keep pushing through and check out these awesome events that will give you something fun to do during your study breaks!
1. Tree lighting Skate-tacular at Bryant Park
Visit Bryant Park on December 1st at 6pm for a Christmas tree lighting, shopping in the Winter Village, and ice skating. Grab your friends, slip on some ice skates, and get ready for the holidays! The Winter Village is filled with little stores as well, so gift shopping is definitely an option!
2. Seaport Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Head downtown to the South Street Seaport on December 1st at 6pm for live music, delicious hot chocolate, and another tree lighting! Even Santa will be there to kick off the holiday season in NYC. The Holiday Gift Market will also be open, so you’ll be able to snag your secret santa the perfect gift!
3. Etsy’s 8th Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade
Looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? Want something unique and original? Be sure to check out Etsy’s 8th Annual Handmade Cavalcade on December 5th and 6th at Chelsea Market. There will be tons of homemade creations ranging from jewelry to clothing to housewares. Step up your gift-giving game and check out this awesome event!
4. Brooklyn Christmas Lights
Grab a group of friends and head over to Brooklyn to witness some incredibly festive houses with amazing light decorations! The lights are up during all of December and run from about 79th to 86th street from 11th to 13th avenue in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Stop on the way for some hot chocolate or warm apple cider and crank up your favorite holiday tunes!
5. Sip and Shop Party at Chelsea Market
You may already know Artists & Fleas as the super hip vintage market in Chelsea and Williamsburg. They’re stepping up the game this year with a holiday themed event on December 10th at 6pm inside Chelsea Market. The entire space will be packed with perfect holiday gifts. An added bonus? The first 100 people to show up get free gift bags!
6. Union Square Holiday Market
Our campus is located extremely close to this super festive market, so it’s an even better reason to check it out! The square is filled with various vendors selling clothing, jewelry, delicious food, and of course, yummy hot drinks! They’re open from 11am-8pm and located right in the middle of Union Square. You can even stop by on your way back from class. Shopping and school work? The perfect combo!
7. Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Circle also happens to have a holiday market with an array of super cool vendors as well! Take the subway uptown with friends, stroll around the market, and head into Central Park. It’s the perfect way to spend a brisk winter day! This market is open from 10am-8pm on Monday-Saturday and 10am-7pm on Sundays.
8. Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Known as the most famous tree lighting ceremony in NYC, Rockefeller Center is the epitome of holiday cheer. Taking place December 1st at 6pm, this event features celebrities, holiday music, and a massive, glittering Christmas Tree! Make sure to get there early to grab a spot because it gets extremely crowded very quickly. Even if you can’t make it to the lighting ceremony, this fantastic tree is lit up all throughout December!