A Very NYC Holiday Season 2022: New York City Things to Do in November and December
We wish you a very NYC holiday season 2022. In New York City, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. There is something so special about ‘the city that never sleeps’ when it is all dressed up in twinkling lights. There is so much to see while simply walking around like department store windows flaunting displays akin to those you’d see strolling through Disney World. Read our guide to ensure that you don’t miss a thing while you’re here including classics like Radio City Music Hall, Macy’s Herald Square, and so much more. And always know that you’re welcome at The Leo House, where you can have a warm, safe, cozy and comfortable home-away-from-home to get a good night’s sleep in your quiet sanctuary in the heart of the city.
Classic NYC Holiday Season 2022 Activities:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The large and famous Christmas tree will be lit on Wednesday, November 30 from 6-8pm in an annual ceremony at Rockefeller Center. This ceremony has been celebrated since December of 1931 and continues to be special in the hearts of New Yorkers and visitors alike. This year, the tree comes from Glen Falls, NY. Some fun facts are that the tree is 82 feet tall, 50 feet wide, weighs 14 tons and is believed to be between 85 and 90 years old. It will be dressed with over 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star that weighs over 900 pounds. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is featured in many movies including Home Alone 2 and Elf.
NBC News’ TODAY co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin will host the highly anticipated holiday special and viewers will be treated to festive performances. You can view the live broadcast on NBC. After Nov. 30, the lights on the tree will be lit everyday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. On Christmas Day, the tree stays on for 24 hours.
Radio City Music Hall – Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center is certainly one of the most exciting places to visit during the Christmas season in New York City. The Christmas Spectacular delights audiences with the famous tap and kickline performances of The Rockettes. The live nativity scene keeps focus on the real meaning of Christmas and Cardinal Timothy Dolan even blessed the sheep, camel and donkey in a special ceremony on November 2nd.
The 2022 Christmas Spectacular run for six weeks between November 18, 2022 and January 2, 2023. Ticket prices range from $75 to nearly $200 depending on the time, date and seating selected. Head over to the MSG / Radio City Music Hall website to purchase tickets soon for the best selection. You can also check the calendar at rockettes.com.
Not able to make it to NYC? Experience the Radio City Rockettes in a new original movie, A Holiday Spectacular, which will premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Sunday November 27 at 8/7c.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2022
Arguably the best November NYC event is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. With Broadway performances, live pop performances, marching bands, the Rockettes, giant balloons and floats there is so much to celebrate at this event. New floats include Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Stuart the Minion, Bluey, Sinclair’s DINO, and so much more. The parade even gives back to the community through partnering with Meals On Wheels, providing charity tickets to the parade, giving grants and scholarships to marching bands participating in the parade and more.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is live on November 24, 2022 from 9am to 12pm. The parade route starts at 77th St and Central Park West, then heads down to 34th Street to Macy’s Herald Square. You can also watch it live on NBC or streaming on Peacock. Macy’s interactive website is fun to click around as well.
Plan your trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by clicking here.
Macy’s Herald Square –
Macy’s Herald Square is the department store chain’s flagship store, located on 34th street between 6th and 7th avenues. It covers an entire city block and features 11 levels. This department store is the star of the classic movie, Miracle on 34th Street, filmed in 1947. Would you believe that this Macy’s location has been there since 1902?
NYC visitors now love viewing the department store windows which experts decorate for the holiday season with animated scenes that captivate all who pass by. From November 17th through January 1st, 2023, you can view the windows with 2022 theme “celebrate togetherness with festive nostalgia.” Macy’s explains their theme in a recent press release saying, “each display will showcase a different world crafted with core material such as gingerbread, yam, flannel, paper, wood, and mirror to create moments of discovery, joy, and excitement.” We’ll be the first in line to see it.
Visit the Macy’s interactive Santaland website to experience Santaland at Home the Virtual Experience between November 25th and December 24th, 2022.
Bryant Park Winter Village Sponsored by Bank of America
Come to enjoy shopping, delicious food and a beautiful 17,000 square foot ice-skating rink from October 28, 2022 through January 2, 2023. There will be more than 100 kiosks to peruse for gifts and merriment galore. The holiday shops are brought to you by Urbanspace and feature artisans from NYC and around the globe.
Know before you go: ice skating is free for all to enjoy but you must reserve a spot ahead of time. Renting skates will incur an additional fee.
Check out bryantpark.org for more details by clicking this link.
Visit NYC Holiday Season 2022 Markets
Brought to you by Urbanspace, you can shop for unique gifts among local vendors, artists and entrepreneurs. The open dates and locations are available by clicking the links below:
- Union Square Holiday Market: November 17 – December 24
- Holiday shops at Bryant Park: October 28 – January 2
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market: November 28 – December 24
- Brooklyn Borough Hall Holiday Market: November 28 – December 26
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Lightscape is an after-dark enchanting illuminated Trail for the holidays that will be open from November 16, 2022 – January 8, 2023. Make your way along a winding trail through the Botanical Garden’s beautiful landscape, awash in artistic lighting design. Along the way, you’ll encounter monumental lighted sculptures, colorful effects on the trees, architecture, and water features, and site-specific music and sound. The last entrance to the walk is at 9pm and the event ends by 10pm nightly.
The Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Gardens
View the intricate display of more than 190 replicas of New York landmarks complete with model trains that weave in and out of the display. In true botanical garden fashion, the NYBG creates the setting using natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods and cinnamon sticks.
NYBG Glow at the New York Botanical Gardens
NYBG Glow is New York’s largest outdoor light display and is a holiday delight. Now in its third year, you can experience this event as you walk through thousands of LED light latinstalions that reflect the surrounding gardens and collections. Enjoy music, food and other experiences while you visit NYBG during the holiday season.
Tickets to NYBG Glow are available for the following dates from 5-10pm: November 18–19, 23, 25–26; December 2–3, 9–11, 15–17, 22–23, 26–30, 2022; January 1, 7, 14, 2023
NYC Holiday Season 2022: Will you be visiting?
We hope you’ll visit us at The Leo House and tell us about your fun experiences throughout our favorite city. Have any other events to recommend? Please comment under this post on our Facebook page to tell us all about it.
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