New York is already fantastic and Christmas time will make it even more magical and lovely!
You will recognize New York from the movies, it is actually true. Christmas Trees, Christmas decorations, chorus, Santa Claus, twinkling lights, candy stands, roasted chestnuts, ice skating. The famous Christmas music in the stores, street corners and even in the elevators: "I´m dreaming of a white Christmas", "Jinge Bells" etc.
New York is already spectacular but during Christmas time the city will be even more mystical, cosy, sparkling, fantastic, beautiful and cool! Christmas is the season when the city will offer more than usual, more shopping, more activities, more shows and other offers.
Macy´s Thanksgiving Day Parade 93nd Celebration 2019
Many says that the Christmas starting point is "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade", the fourth Thursday in November each year. The Parade begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West. It Proceeds to Columbus Circle and turns on to Central Park South and down 6th Ave, from 59th street and passes 42nd street, and down to 34th street. The Parade ends at Macy's Herald Square.
Thursday Nov 28, 2019 at 9AM - non.
It is an enormous parade that will take place this Thanksgiving day. This year is the 92nd year. The parade has existed since 1924. During World War II between the years 1942-1944 there were no parade. Both helium and rubber was needed during this time.
You will see, enormous inflatable balloons, marching bands who are playing music, hundreds of clowns etc. Along Broadway, million of people will gather to see the famous parade so be here on time :-).
Fun facts:The parade was started by the second generation of immigrants. They wanted to celebrate their new American heritage and they wanted to celibrate like they did in Europe - with a parade.
Pictures: macysparadepress.com
Ticket
Se Macy´s Thanksgiving Day Parade från 6th Avenue
Thanksgiving Day Parade with Bagel breakfast
Thanksgiving Day Parade Is a very popular event and at the end of the paradise road there are a lot of people watching. In this unique ticket you will have access to a place indoors where you can view the parade from the 4th floor in an office building on 6th Avenue. You are invited to breakfast with bagel and
coffee.
You must arrive before kl. 05.45 for then barricades are set up the longest streets. The parade begins at 9 on 77th Street and Central Park West.
Place: 4th floor in an office on 6th Avenue overlooking the parade Date:Nov 22, 2018 from 5.30AM - 12.30PM
Other say that Christmas starts when the big Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center is lit.
The big tree will be lit on Wednesday, Dec 4 2019. The tree will be lit til to the beginning of Jan, 2020
Each year the Manager for Rockefeller Center drives around to look for the Christmas Tree. During wintertime he flies across the country. The Tree is normally an Norway Spruce and they are planted in the United States and Canada. They grow to very large sizes. When the Tree is found and cut it arrives during the night with Police escort in to New York city.
30 Rockefeller Plaza, (West 48th & West 51st Streets
and 5th and 6th Avenues)
Video: Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center 2012
This is how the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is lit. Many
excited
people has come here to experience a magical moment.
The 2012, 80th Anniversary looked like this!
Källa: YouTube
Fun facts: The first tree could be seen 1931 at Rockefeller Center. The first official Tree Lightning was in 1933. In 1939 the tradition with Christmas carols by the tree started. The Tree lighting ceremony could be seen for the first time in TV 1951.
Christmas is also the time for shopping
The day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday", and this day is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, so shop-til-you-drop. Many consider this to be the starting shot for Christmas. Most stores and shops start this day with many offers and sales. The big sale is of course after Christmas day, as in Sweden. 50-70% sale is not unusual!
Below are some stores that are good for "window shopping" and also for real shopping
Lord & Taylor - (Fifth Ave. mellan 38th och 39th street)
Night Tour/ Lights of the Holiday Tour (Nov 2019 - Jan, 2020)
Holiday Lights Tour
Take a night tour with CitySights NY and see all the Christmas lights in New York. The special trip during the Holiday season takes you to places as Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Central Park, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Radio City Music Hall and much more. Take the opportunity to see the New York Christmas lights!
Discount when booking online!
Escorted bus tour: 1.5 hour
Departs: 777 8th Ave. between 47th and 48th street
Christmas 2019: The Christmas Spectacular - The Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall
8 Nov 2019 - 5 Jan 2020
The best Christmas show in New York!
Do not miss the fantastic Christmas show with The Rocketts. Have not seen them, it is almost a must if you visit New York during Christmas.
There are much to do in New York during Christmas time!
Why not go ice skating in Central Park or at Rockefeller Center, go with horse "cab", "window shopping" is a must maybe at Macys, Lord&Taylor, Bloomingdales or Saks.
Maybe see some of the famous Christmas Trees, the most famous, at Rockefeller Center, but there are also big Christmas Trees at City Hall, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art etc. Why not visit the famous Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall - "The Rockettes". Visit a church and listen to Christmas carols and gospel or maybe visit "The Scandinavia House" who also offer a variety of things during Christmas time.
Will you go out to eat - aim for Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. On Christmas Day celebrates the many New Yorkers Christmas
by eating out at a restaurant. Please book your visit in advance.
Yes, there are a lot to choose from...here are some tip!
Macy´s Thanksgiving day parade Thursday Nov 28, 2019. Starts at: 9 AM - 12 Noon.
The parade starts at 77st Street and Central Park West, continues to Columbus Circle,
turn east onto Central Park South,
down
6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas)
passing 42nd street,
then on to 34th Street heads west to Macy's Herald Square and ends at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue at around noon.
Santaland Macy´s Opens the day after Thanksgiving
At Macy´s 8th floor, you will find Santaland. It is a magical world for the children. Every year Santa Claus will receive wishes from all the children. You will also find moving toys!
Over 300.000 persons visit Santaland every year. Santa arrives at the tail end of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and stays through Christmas Eve
Macy´s Christmas windows
Do not miss the Christmas window displayes at Macy´s. Every year it is a new theme.
Just stroll outside and look at all the nice figures and hear the Christmas music that is playing.
When we visited New York during Christmas we went to Macy´s and the theme was "The Fairy tale´s World". 34th Street. Broadway & 7th Avenue, Herald Square Macy´s »
The Ice rink at Rockefeller Center! Oct 12, 2019 - beginning of April, 2020
The ice rink at Rockefeller Center opened for the first time on Christmas day, 1936. The rink have approx. a quarter of a million visitors every year.
Approx. 150 people can go ice skating at the same time. You pay for the rent of skates and a fee to enter the rink. View website for price information.
Go skating on the pond at Bryant Park Oct 31, 2019 - Beginning March, 2020.
Free admission
Take your friends for some ice skating in the Bryant Park (Winter Village). This is a wonderland in the middle of Manhattan. This is New York´s only free admission ice skating rink. You can rent skates.
Adress: between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. It is a short walk from Grand Central Staion and Times Square.
Radio City Music Halls Christmas show 8 nov, 2019 - 5 jan 2020
Every Christmas since 1933 a spectacular Christmas show with the group "Rockettes" is performed here. The dance group, with 36 girls, are dancing in different formations and their moves are made exactly the same time, so it will look like just one and the same move!
For you that may have seen "A Chorus Line" probably understand a little bit more what it´s all about.... If you have not seen the show, do not miss it!
A show is played at the frontside of the building. Sorry to say we do not have the exact time when it is played. You will see lights and hear music. If you are visiting the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center then just stop for a couple of minutes at Saks. It is located close to the Tree at Rockefeller Center...
December 2006
Saks Department Store
5th Avenue New York
Play movie
Use the play-button under the movie to start the film.
Christmas Lights in Brooklyn - Dyker Heights 24 nov 2019 - 2 jan 2020
Do not miss one of New York's most extravagant holiday attractions. In Brooklyn, Dyker Heights emulate the residents
to have the best, biggest and brightest Christmas decorations. You will see the toys, inflatable Santas, bright lights,
reindeers - unbelievable. Some pay a specialist firms to decorate their houses for a lot of money.
Each year approximately 100 000 visitors here. The event began in the mid 1980's.
Very good decorations can be found between 10 and 12 Avenue between 81st and 86th streets. Everything begins
around Thanksgiving.
Time Warner Center - Holiday Under the Stars Mid November - Beginning January. At 5PM - midnight.
Fantastic fine Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling in the Great Room at Time Warner Center (The Shops at Columbus Circle). The decorations are 14-foot stars and enlightened in beautiful colors and choreograped to Christmas music.
New York Holiday Lights and Movie Sites Bus Tour - 2.5 tim For those who like the American Christmas movies released in New York. You can not only see famous places from famous movies but
also experience the Christmas atmosphere in place as you pass all these amazing places in its Christmas shadow. The bus
departs from Columbus Circle at Central Park and takes about 2.5 hours. There are places that have been seen in movies like Elf,
Home Alone 2, Scrooged and Miracle on 34th Street, etc.
Nov 27, 2019 - Jan 1,2020
Guidad bus tour: 2.5 hours
Departs from: The Shops at Columbus Circle - Time Warner Building, 59th and Columbus Circle
A tradition at the American Museum of Natural History is the annual Christmas tree filled with folded paper ornaments known as, Origami Holiday Tree. The work to create the ornaments starts already in July.
End Nov - Beginning Jan
(Central Park West at 79th Street)
Tickets
Harlem Gospel Holiday Celebration
Harlem Gospel Holiday Celebration - 1 hour If you have never been to an authentic gospel concert, do not miss this gig. Spend a memorable Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve with a 1-hour
morning concert at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Harlem. You will experience absolutely fantastic and uplifting gospel song.
Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn - ca 3,5 tim By bus you go to Brooklyn and the residential areas Dyker Heights. Here is the tradition of decorating their houses and gardens
with lots of light and christmas details like plots and reindeer. It has almost become a contest between neighbors to have
the most Christmas-decorated house.. :-)
Nov 24, 2019 - Jan 2, 2020
Guided bus tour: 3,5 Hours
Departs from: Row NYC Hotel, 45th Street & 8th Avenue
Come to Chelsea Market during Christmas and meet the artists, performers and vintage collectors in the Meatpacking District. Here you can
shop jewelry, design items, vintage clothing, art and much more. Just enjoy!
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park (Winter Village) 31 okt - 5 jan 2020
Here you can shop in the nice kiosks in Bryant Park. There is something for everyone - children, adults, and even pets. There are
also many that sell organic products such as underwear, skin care products, clothing, etc. There is a carousel for the children. The ice Rink is also open.
Bryant Park, 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue Bryant Park »
Union Square Holiday Market 21 nov - 24 dec 2019
Here you can shop from over 100 different merchants. Here you will find leather items, household items, glassware, bags, handmade jewelry,
hats, gloves and more. Take a hot cappuccino and buy some sweets from Germany.
Get to the Brooklyn Expo Center and shop from the 200 best craftsmen.
Here are the handmade stuff from head to toe. The market called Bust Holiday Craftacular.
Brooklyn Expo Center 72 Noble Street Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Opening hours: 11 AM - 7 PM both days.
Come to Astoria Market where most craftspeople fill the market with handmade items. Here you can shop for vintage goods, etc.
The market is at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in the Great Hall.
29-19 24th Avenue Astoria, mellan 29th and 31st Streets,( Queens) Astoria Market »
Columbus Circle Holiday Market 4 dec - 24 dec, 2019
Come and shop for handmade things, taste the French truffles, buy Christmas presents for the children. Enjoy a hot meal.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market is internationally known as one of the most elegant and beautiful places for holiday shopping.
The market is located at the entrance to Central Park at 59th Street and Central Park West. Here you can buy art, jewelry from local
designers among others.
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Market 18 nov - 24 dec 2019
Come inside and go to the wonderful Christmas market inside of Grand Central Terminal Here you can shop cozy things related to Christmas and of course a lot of other things.
New York Christmas Markets and Lights Walking Tour
New York Christmas Markets and Lights Walking Tour - ca 4 hours
Visit four of New York's most attractive traditional Christmas markets. Buy handmade items, local art, clothes, Christmas presents and more. Take a little christmas glögg and see the beautiful Christmas lights and window decorations along the way. Start and stop at Columbus Circle.
