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Toll Free: 877-624-6889
Intl: (407) 917-8432
Posted on December 20, 2022
There is a wonderful assortment of things to do over Christmas in New York City. From gazing in wonder at the huge Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to sipping hot chocolate and marveling at the decorated window displays, you won't find these unique scenes any time, or anywhere, else.
The heart of Christmas in New York can be found at Rockefeller Center. Here, the massive Christmas Tree shines in all its glory and dazzles tourists and locals alike. After its first lighting ceremony in November, it continues to shine daily from 6 am to midnight, with a full 24-hour light show on December 25th. The show continues through New Year’s Eve, when the tree is turned off for the last time a few hours before midnight.
The Christmas tree overlooks Rockefeller Center's ice rink, which has been immortalized in many movies and TV shows taking place in New York over the Christmas season. Skating here beneath the tree is one of the best things to do over Christmas in New York City, and it can be enjoyed by all ages.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center is usually open all winter. Besides the one in Rockefeller Center, there are other ice rinks open throughout the city, including the one in Central Park.
The Saks 5th Ave Lightshow and holiday window displays are not far from Rockefeller Center. Holiday window displays are a staple of New York City at Christmas, but the ones here are often ranked as the very best in the city. Entire storefronts can be lit up with bright Christmas lights, and the window displays feature scenes you will not find anywhere else.
Greene Space in SoHo also has annual holiday window displays with animatronic scenes and bright lights. If you are interested in seeing as many windows and light shows as possible, you can often find special holiday tours which will take you through the best spots throughout the city.
You can even take a step back in time for a more historic approach to the Christmas Holiday at some New York City events. Richmond Town on Staten Island is a re-enacted farming neighborhood and every year they host several Christmas-themed events including a Wassail bowl, candlelight tours, and carriage rides. In Queens, the historic farm still operating on 47 acres holds an Open House, with mulled cider and crafts.
Times Square is also decked out for the Christmas Holiday. Here, though, the biggest draw comes the following week on New Year's Eve, when one of the world's largest New Year's parties is held in Times Square, including its famous ball drop.
Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Celebration featuring the Rockettes goes back for decades and is a holiday tradition for many people who use their New York City timeshare at this time of year. The show's precision dancing, high-tech lights and sound technology, and thrilling music make it one of the must-see performances if you are interested in live entertainment at this time of year.
The New York City Ballet also gets into the spirit of Christmas. Annual performances of The Nutcracker are a recurring delight, and especially popular with families and children. The dancing, magic, and spectacle of the Nutcracker await at Christmas time in New York.
Of course, when speaking of things to do over Christmas in New York, Broadway is almost always going to be at the top of the list. During the Christmas season, many holiday specials such as A Christmas Carol play on Broadway, in addition to the regular and special line-ups of shows. And when you go to Times Square, the huge Broadway Snow Globes featuring scenes from popular Broadway Musicals are sure to catch your eye whenever they come at this time of year.
If you are planning on spending Christmas in New York City with your children, you will want to enjoy some of the activities that have a special magic for kids.
Nothing captures that magic of Christmas quite like the Dyker Heights in Brooklyn Holiday Decorations and displays. This neighborhood takes lights, statues, blow-up figures, and any other holiday decorating to the next level. It is the perfect place to amaze the whole family with eye-popping decorations while taking a stroll and sipping hot chocolate.
And perhaps after watching Miracle on 34th Street, your children will want to see Macy's Santaland which inspired the movie. Macy's in New York City has hosted Santa Claus almost every year since the 1860s, and thousands of families and children pass through every year to ask Santa for a present to leave under their tree.
The kids are also sure to love the Spectacular Factory: The Holiday Multiverse, an immersive holiday village hosted by the Chelsea Art Center, where visitors will have the chance to ride a candy cane merry-go-round, ride a train wreathed in holly and garlands, meet and greet with nutcrackers, and other high-tech displays.
A walk-through Central Park is one of the more family-friendly things to do over Christmas in New York and has its share of holiday delights. The ice-skating rink is a great place to take the kids for an evening skating party or to catch the annual Chanukah on Ice celebration. Carriage horse rides will let you see some of the highlights of the winter wonderland that transforms the park around Christmas.
Also in December, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market in Central Park is a great place to squeeze in some New York City Christmas shopping. Lights can be found here too, with the world's largest Menorah lit up across the street in celebration of Chanukah, and other holiday lights strung up on and around the Harlem Meer.
Christmas in New York is a beautiful time of year, with fresh snow falling regularly, and the entire city decked out for the holidays. It’s the perfect time to use your New York City timeshare - especially for families traveling with young children because many have amenities you will not find in a hotel room, such as kitchen facilities, multiple bedrooms and plenty of living space.
Below you’ll find the most popular New York City timeshare options based on the inquiries and offers placed by consumers through our platform.
This location on 45th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues makes getting around New York City easy as Wyndham Midtown 45 at New York City is a couple of blocks from Grand Central Station. The Chrysler Building is around the corner and you’re just down the street from Times Square and the Theater District. Dining options are all around and enjoy the 33rd Floor Sky Lounge before retiring to your studio, one- and two-bedroom suite.
As the first purpose-built, residential-style timeshare building built in New York City, Hilton Grand Vacations Club at West 57th Street set the stage for upscale vacation ownership in the Big Apple. Two blocks from Central Park and a stone’s throw to Carnegie Hall, you’re close to the shops of 5th Avenue. The property features an Owner’s Lounge, Owner’s Terrace, Concierge and 24-hour fitness center, accessible from your studio, one-bedroom or one-bedroom Penthouse suite.
Located in Midtown between 6th and 7th avenues, Hilton Grand Vacations Club at The Hilton Club is in a wonderful spot about two blocks from Radio City Music Hall and about three blocks from Carnegie Hall. Even Rockefeller Center and Central Park are within walking distance. You’ll have onsite dining, bar and lounge options along with concierge service to help with booking show tickets. Studio, one- and two-bedroom suites are located on the 36th, 37th or 38th floors of this Hilton property, with amazing skyline views.
As exclusive as it gets for a New Your City timeshare, The Residences by Hilton Club shares the same Hilton property as The Hilton Club, but with impressive Studio and one-bedroom Penthouse Suites located on the 45th and 46th floors of the building. Studio and one-bedroom suites also occupy the 44th floor, which has exclusive check-in access. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide magnificent city views.
This Midtown spot is centrally located to offer the best of the City. Just a few blocks to the iconic Empire State Building, Marriott Vacation Club Pulse New York City is near Macy’s, on the edge of 5th Avenue and close to Times Square. After exploring the City, head up to the Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar for a bite, a beverage and incredible views. For something more substantial, try Twisted Knot Café and Lounge. Double, Queen and King guestrooms make it all possible.
New York City is as magical as it gets for the Christmas and New Year holiday, and timeshare accommodation provides the most comfortable and spacious options at an affordable price.
If you have questions about any of the New York timeshare properties shown above, or need more information about a property not on our list, please click here to send us your question or call us on 877-624-6889 to speak with a licensed agent.
Steve manages the public relations and content creation efforts of the company. Previously the Chief Operating Officer for Perspective Magazine, he provided oversight and contributed articles for the five regional vacation ownership trade magazines under the Perspective Magazine banner.
A contributor for industry publications such as Resort Trades and Developments Magazine, Steve Luba has 36 years of experience in various roles in radio and television, sales and marketing, public relations, media and government liaison initiatives.
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