WORDS & PICTURES: Melissa Goertzen
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Christmas is in the air in New York City; fresh snow in Central Park, department store window displays, and the smell of roasting chestnuts on street corners spread cheer through the five boroughs. While Rockefeller Plaza is arguably the most iconic holiday destination in the city, made famous by the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, many neighborhoods hold holiday celebrations that are equally memorable for locals and visitors alike.
MIDTOWN MANHATTAN + RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
Radio City Music Hall is a short walk from Rockefeller Plaza and the holiday decorations are lovely. Enjoy popular photo ops like the giant red tree ornaments that are illuminated by streetlights when the sun sets. And for visitors who want to feel like true New Yorkers, attend the annual Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The show stars the Rockettes, a cast of live nativity animals, and of course, Santa Claus. The elaborate sets look like scenes from a snow globe, and the audience is showered with snow throughout the evening. The holiday spirit is infectious, and it’s hard to leave the venue without humming Christmas carols.
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DYKER HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAY
Nicknamed the King of Christmas Lights, the neighborhood of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is a Christmas in New York must-see for everyone who loves light displays. Lucy Spata is credited for beginning the annual holiday tradition in the 1980s and since that time, neighbors have competed to out-decorate each other. Annual highlights include a 15-foot-tall Santa, life-sized reindeer, driveways lined with candy canes, and over a million Christmas lights covering every surface for several blocks.
BRYANT PARK WINTER VILLAGE + THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Bryant Park transforms into a holiday wonderland each November. Small business owners, bakeries, and artisans showcase local products in 170 kiosks. Event sponsors also build a 17,000 square-foot skating rink that is free to the public. Visitors can put up their feet at an alpine-themed outdoor space and enjoy a festive cocktail while people-watching next to the rink.
The main branch of the New York Public Library backs onto Bryant Park, and visitors will recognize this landmark from Seinfeld, Sex and the City and Ghostbusters. The building was designed by the architectural firm Carrère and Hastings and has been described as ‘a palace for the people’. The interior is reminiscent of 19th-century Paris and includes classical murals on the walls and ceilings. Visitors can walk through the building and view archival items on display. One little-known fact is that the library’s bookshelves are built in rows underneath Bryant Park.
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THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY
No trip to NYC is complete without a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. The 25-minute route across New York Harbour provides the best views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Downtown Jersey City, and several suspension bridges connecting Manhattan to surrounding boroughs. The ferry runs between Manhattan and Staten Island 24 hours a day, and all passengers ride free of charge.
Regardless of where visitors stay at Christmas in New York City, each borough has a unique holiday flavor. Be sure to pack a camera and walking shoes, and experience all the festive magic the city has to offer.
