Best time to go to New York

Christmas Lights 2024-2025

All of the boroughs in New York City put on dazzling winter displays

Dates: late October–early January

Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
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New York is famous for its holiday light displays in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens. If you happen to be in the city during the holidays, you can choose large displays downtown or small and cozy in residential areas.

Bryant Park Winter Village (October 27, 2023–January 2, 2024)

The Winter Village at Bryant Park is a favourite spot for New-Yorkers and visitors during the holidays. A small Midtown park is transformed into Manhattan with dozens of holiday shops. The Lodge by Urbanspace is the place where people can take a break from busy city life. The centerpiece of Winter Village is New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink, which enjoys beautiful illumination after dark.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (weekend after Thanksgiving–1st weekend in January)

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn is one of the most popular seasonal attractions in the neighborhood. The most breathtaking lights can be observed between 11th to 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th St in Dyker Heights. This area takes Christmas lights to a new level, gathering crowds of visitors from all over the city. Giant inflatable Santas, snowmen, and reindeer decorate almost every house, and Christmas carols can be heard from loudspeakers. The area is so popular that some companies organize tours to the best-decorated houses. The best time to see the lights is mid-December.

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lights (November 29, 2023–early January 2024)

Amidst all holiday light displays across the Big Apple the NYC central Christmas Tree is a cherry on top and a must. The charming beauty arrives at Rockefeller Center in early November. The lighting show usually takes place by the end of the month, and holiday illumination spreads cheer well through early January.

Central Park Holiday Lighting (November 30, 2023)

Another iconic place to check in during holiday season is surely Central Park. Charles A. Dana Discovery Center welcomes everyone to the opening celebration at 5:30 pm on the last Thursday in November. The festive program features meetings with Santa, carolling on the Plaza, hot cocoa drinking, and seasonal activities. All is capped with the trees lighting on the Harlem Meer.

More details on each of the holiday displays mentioned above come by the links, which can be found in the External Resources below. Also, consider booking your stay nearby using accommodations map.

Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin