New York City Holiday Guide

by Laurie Wilson / December 18, 2024

new york city at christmas time — Photo: Francois Roux / Shutterstock.com

New York City’s hotels and iconic attractions are stepping it up this year with their traditional holiday experiences for visitors. The tree at Rockefeller Center shines bright, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s blue spruce stands stall over the 18th century Neapolitan Baroque Creche, and the annual origami holiday tree in the American Museum of Natural History tucks into the holiday spirit.

And then there’s the world’s largest menorah that goes up across the street from the iconic Plaza Hotel in the Grand Army Plaza; it is lit on December 25 to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah this year.

The Fifth Avenue windows are glammed up, bright and festive with ribbons and bling. And the Rockettes are kicking away at Radio City Music Hall throughout the season.

But these aren’t the only holiday-themed activities, along with festive hotel packages, your clients can take advantage of. Here are some on Santa’s nice list.

Hotels

Loews Regency New York Hotel

This iconic hotelis on the map at Park Avenue as a power breakfast destination for New York’s heavy hitters. It’s also where the brand’s Local by Loews Hotels program is celebrated this holiday season. A New Jersey-based artist has hand-painted a limited-edition ornament that is for sale at the hotel front desk. There are several pop-up curated fashion shopping experiences at the hotel, as well. And the Winter Suite Savings package for the hotel’s lovely 58 suites provides 20% off rates and a $50 food and beverage credit.

Bonus: The handsome Regency Bar & Grill is featuring holiday mocktails as part of its Free Spirited by Loews Hotels program like the Cranberry Gimless.

Penthouse on Park at Royalton Park Avenue

The hotel has partnered with Grey Goose Vodka for a pop-up Chalet de Luxe on the rooftop this season. Expect Spicy Spiked Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Martinis along with black diamond caviar, fondue and deconstructed s’mores.

the winter bar at the palace at the lotte hotel in nyc — *Photo: Lotte New York Palace*

Lotte New York Palace

The Winter Bar at the Palace is a favorite NYC seasonal outdoor courtyard bar with warm-up sips like Hot Buttered Rum, Christmas cookies, and warm New York pretzels. There’s also that 30-foot Christmas tree and gingerbread palace displayed in the Grand Lobby.

The icing on the cake: the Palace Holiday Suites package includes a decorated artisan Balsam Hill tree and handmade ornaments, homemade holiday cookies and more.

EVEN Hotel Times Square

This wellness-focused hotel’s Holidays at the Edge NYC Package is over-the-top. In addition to accommodations in the wellness-focused hotel, it includes two admission tickets to Edge NYC, the city’s highest outdoor sky deck; this includes access to The Edge’s Snowscape at the sky deck, where the city skyline is transformed into an immersive winter wonderland. The package also includes two drink tickets for the hotel’s Kitchen and Bar.

Citizen M

The trendy hotel chain with design, tech-forward elements have a couple of packages this season at both its Times Square and New York Bowery properties. The rooftop bar at both locations offers holiday menus (the grazing table is popular). The Times Square hotel has a winter cocktail special menu (think mulled wine) and the Bowery spot is also hosting a New Year’s Eve event (open bar, comp Champagne at midnight, live entertainment, and small bites).

The New York Marriott Marquis

Santa-themed guest rooms, lobby elves, hot cocoa, holiday carolers and a Santa brunch round out the holiday festivities at this midtown hotel as part of its 25 Days of Festive Fun celebration. Guests can also book a Santa guestroom that’s decked out with holiday decorations and gifted merchandise from Elf on Broadway.

Park Lane New York

This Central Park South hotel magically poofs into an enchanted forest for the holidays as a nod to Central Park (strings of garlands, eucalyptus foliage, birds and flowers….) Holiday cocktails and dishes at the rooftop bar, too.

Hard Rock Hotel New York

Hit the slopes at this midtown hotel that has an apres-ski-themed approach to the holidays that’s taken over the restaurant and rooftop bar and lounge with themed dishes and sips this year. Also serving a festive Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad

Home to Michelin-starred chef José Andrés restaurant and bar, and a sprawling spa, the hotel is putting on the ritz with its Haute Holiday Suite package, a collab with luxury fashion labels and floral designers. The suite flaunts a custom-designed tree, flower displays, a personalized in-room holiday closet and spa treatments.

Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

A fireplace at Christmas is a gift, and this season it’s all about the Fireplace Menu at the hotel’s restaurant, Society Café. Jazz performances pop up in the lobby, and a savory and sweet fondue experience brings all the holiday feels served by that crackling fireplace. The special seasonal menu is available throughout February.

Conrad New York Downtown

A tree grows not in Brooklyn but in Manhattan—actually, a forest of decorated Virginia Spruce trees in the lobby of this hotel. And Santa visits a couple of weekends right before Christmas, too, for photo ops.

Hilton New York Downtown

Guests can book the Stay Like Wicked suite for holiday magic this season—expect a green forest theme and special surprises and takeaways, as well as tix to see the movie in theatres. Available until January 5.

The Dominick

Guests at this Soho hotel can add an in-room tree to complete their city Christmas getaway. Trees are available in three sizes—six- and four-foot trees are included in a package stay in the hotel’s SoHi suites, and a two-footer is an add-on amenity option. Also, there is a gift-wrapping station on select dates, hot cocoa and sweets, a Santa letter drop-off and tastings with Kings County Whiskey and Via Carota. Other holiday packages include a Cookies & Christmas Wishes package (personalized stockings, milk and cookies delivery to room) and a Holiday Romance package with holiday movie, black truffle popcorn, Veuve Clicquot and Dominick wool blanket.

the shops at columbus circle gingerbread lane — *Photo: Optimist Consulting for The Shops at Columbus Circle*

Attractions

Brookfield Place

Holiday Under the Palms is the themed holiday celebration at this downtown destination which has become a popular spot for visitors and locals to celebrate. Performances of The Nutcracker by New York Theatre Ballet, live musical performances and there’s an ice skating rink in the nearby Oculus, too.

ice skating in bryant park nyc — *Ice-skating at Bryant Park. Photo: Colin Miller*

Bryant Park Winter Village

A Christmas tree presides over the ice-skating rink here, with the New York Public Library (and its wreathed lions out front) the perfect backdrop. There are also lots of festive holiday shops and The Lodge bar + food hall making this one of NYC’s most sought out holiday spots.

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Grand Central Station hosts its annual fair in Vanderbilt Hall with lots of gift shopping possibilities from artisan merchants and local business. There is also the New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Train Show here, an impressive display of model trains and holiday themes; this year marks the 20^th. The show runs through February.

The Shops at Columbus Circle

Celebrating its 20th year, the spotlight is on the Holiday Under the Stars nightly light display which starts every evening at 5pm. Also, there’s a life-size gingerbread village, Broadway performances, and lots of merrymaking.

Hudson Yards

Santa photo ops, Hanukkah menorah lighting, shopping specials are all part of the Shine Bright at Hudson Yards presented by Wells Fargo experience this season.

Union Square Holiday Market

The oldest and largest holiday market in the city gets bigger and better each year—this season there are 175-plus vendors for holiday shoppers and snackers.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

The observation and art experience 1,200 feet in the sky with 1,215 mirrors to reflect views from many angles is a sensation especially during the holidays when the city below glistens and glitters. There are also cocktail options for those intoxicating views.