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Experience the magic of the holidays in NYC with these 9 festive attractions
There's nothing quite like the holiday season in New York City. And the Big Apple has once again transformed into a magical destination for 2024, filled with elaborate window displays, dazzling lights experiences, festive holiday markets and jolly-themed cocktails.
While it might be impossible to name every one of the city's merry attractions — simply because there are so many — that's not going to stop us from highlighting some of the season's most must-visit sights. Experience all of New York City's holiday magic by stopping by these nine dazzling experiences.
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
A beloved tradition since 1992, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx has once again set up its annual Holiday Train Show for the season. The grand display — which is located in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory — is put together each year by the creative team at Applied Imagination, which has produced special exhibits for a variety of other venues across the nation.
The experience is centered around a miniature version of New York City that features nearly 200 scaled replicas of iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium and the Statue of Liberty, all of which were constructed using bark, leaves and other natural materials. To go along with it, more than 25 G-scale model trains — including American steam engines, streetcars from the late 1800s, modern freight trains and passenger trains — will travel along a nearly half-mile track that runs throughout the miniature city through tunnels and overhead. New this year, the display has been expanded into an indoor and outdoor experience that overflows into the conservatory's lawn, with modern trains traversing elaborate mountainscapes. And to top it all off, the display is completed with thousands of dazzling twinkling lights.
While this exhibition is open during the day throughout the season, there will be select "after dark" days for guests to view the display with colorful holiday lighting and while enjoying holiday music by live performers, spiked cider cocktails and tasty food items. There are designated "after dark" days for adult 21 years and older, as well as for all ages.
Info: This limited-time exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until Jan. 20, with select nights for the "after dark" experience. Check the New York Botanical Garden website for available dates.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary for daytime admission with timed-entry or flexible entry, as well as for the "after dark" sessions. Check the New York Botanical Garden website for prices.
Go: 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx; 719-817-8700, nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is one of the most celebrated winter destinations in New York City, and it's a must-visit for all things festive this holiday season. The 9.6 acres of Bryant Park has once again been transformed into a magical, all-ages winter wonderland completed with a huge Christmas tree, ice rink, restaurant and vendors in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
This iconic event features its signature 17,000-square-feet ice rink at its center, which is the city's only free-admission ice rink — you just have to rent or bring your own skates. The Lodge, a vibrant open-air food hall, serves up seasonal treats and savory bites, and there are two full-serve bars available for you to enjoy a cozy beverage or a festive cocktail.
The village is also home to The Holiday Shops at Urbanspace Markets, an open-air market with more than 170 artisan vendors from local small businesses, as well as private heated igloos and the Curling Cafe, where you can enjoy a unique menu of refreshments while your group battles it out on a private iceless curling lane.
Info: The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park will be open to the public until March 2. The Holiday Shops at Urbanspace Markets will close earlier on Jan. 5.
Tickets: This attraction is free to enter, but tickets are required to be purchased in advance for ice skating, cozy igloos and the Curling Cafe. Prices can be found on the attraction's website.
Go: 41st Street and 6th Avenue, New York; 917-439-5166, wintervillage.org.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
After the sun sets, 12 acres of the Bronx Zoo glow with millions of dazzling lights that animate some of the world's most majestic animals and habitats as part of the annual Holiday Lights extravaganza.
This captivating, after-dark tradition features seven enchanting trails — representing regions like North America, Africa and Asia — with more than 400 lanterns in the shape of nearly 100 plant and animals species. Other attractions include a light show in Astor Court, performers who roam the park, dynamic light tunnels, interactive experiences and more.
Seasonal treats like hot chocolate, apple pie nachos, candy cane Dippin' Dots, spiked apple cider and holiday punch are all also available at one of the several refreshment spots throughout the venue.
Info: The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights will be open to the public from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on select dates until Jan. 5. Opening dates can be found on the Bronx Zoo website.
Tickets: There are date-specific and any-night tickets available for the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Prices vary, and tickets for this experience can be purchased online.
Go: 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx; 718-220-5100, bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights.
Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes
Since 1933, The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes has been an annual holiday tradition that attracts visitors from both near and far. This adored tradition features nine show-stopping numbers — including original ones like "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Living Nativity" — performed by the Rockettes, as well as a variety of other iconic acts, in a magical 90-minute production.
Expect live scores from the Radio City Music Hall Symphony, dynamic LED lighting and immersive ceiling projections, elaborate holiday-themed set designs, glamorous costumes and appearances by live animals like camels, sheep and donkeys.
Info: The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes will have several showtimes daily until Jan. 5. The exact showtimes offered each day can be found on the Rockettes website.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary by date and time of each show, as well as by the section of the venue you'd be sitting in. Prices and availability can be found online.
Go: 1260 6th Ave., New York; 212-465-6000, rockettes.com/christmas.
Santa's Winter Wonderland at Pier 15
Spend a day in the North Pole at Santa's Winter Wonderland at Pier 15. Run by Watermark Bar, this whimsical, waterfront installation is a fully outdoor experience where guests can explore festive holiday scenes like Santa's sleigh, Santa's workshop and more.
Visitors are treated to complimentary hot chocolate and a sweet treat from Santa's snack shack, or you can reserve a spot at one of the venue's heated glass houses and enjoy a curated holiday menu of delicious entrees, cocktails and more. Afterwards, be sure to finish the night by making your own s'more.
Info: Santa's Winter Wonderland at Pier 15 is open daily until Dec. 31. Check the Santa's Winter Wonderland website for exact opening times.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary based on different types of admission and the time of day. Prices, availability and details on what's included with each type of admission can be found online.
Go: 78 South Street, New York; 212-742-8200, santaswinterwonderlandnyc.com.
Holidays at Rockefeller Center
One of the most iconic holiday sites in New York City is at Rockefeller Center. Each year, this venue is adorned with classic holiday decorations like bright, twinkling lights and festive wreaths.
For a magical holiday experience, you can stop for a photo in front of this year's dazzling 74-foot tall Christmas tree or make a reservation for other annual attractions like ice skating at The Rink or dining in a private Après Skate Chalet.
Info: Each of the attractions at Rockefeller Center close at different times throughout the winter. The operating schedule for each attraction can be found online.
Tickets: There is no cost to visit Rockefeller Center during the holiday season, but reservations are required for ice skating and private dining. Tickets can be found online.
Go: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York; 212-588-8601, rockefellercenter.com/holidays.
'The Nutcracker' at the New York City Ballet
George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" officially premiered at the New York City Ballet in 1954, and has been commanding Lincoln Center as a pillar of the holiday season ever since. This iconic story of a young girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life unfolds over the course of a two-hour performance, featuring two alternating casts of 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 40 stagehands and more than 125 children from the School of American Ballet.
Throughout the show's two acts, viewers are wowed by Balanchine's ethereal choreography to Tchaikovsky's famous melodies. The experience is completed with Barbara Karinska's remarkable costumes, Rouben Ter-Arutunian's legendary set designs, intricate lighting, dynamic special effects and elaborate stage elements.
Info: "The Nutcracker" will have several showtimes almost daily until Jan. 4. The exact showtimes offered each day can be found on the New York City Ballet website.
Tickets: Ticket prices vary by each show's availability and by the section of the venue you'd be sitting in. Prices and availability can be found online.
Go: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York; 212-496-0600, nycballet.com/discover/george-balanchines-the-nutcracker.
Union Square Holiday Market
If you're looking to do your holiday shopping from local artisans this year, look no further than the Union Square Holiday Market.
For its 31st year, this massive holiday market will feature goods from more than 185 vendors like Pigeon be Pigeon, Pixie Doodle Farm, Mama's Cupboard and Rubyzaar Baked's. It is recommended that visitors come early in the day or midweek to avoid crowds, as well as for shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to carry their purchases.
Info: The Union Square Holiday Market is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, until Dec. 23.
Tickets: This holiday market is free to visit besides purchases made from vendors.
Go: 14th Street and Broadway, New York; 212-460-1200, urbanspacemarkets.com/union-square-holiday-market.
Catch the vintage subway trains in December
You can travel back in time this holiday season with a ride on a vintage subway train in Manhattan on Sundays in December. Known as Holiday Nostalgic Rides, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority partners with the New York Transit Museum each year to offer residents and visitors the chance to ride in a historic New York City subway train.
The 2024 experience features eight 1930s R1/9 train cars, consisting of rattan seats, paddle ceiling fans, incandescent light bulbs, roll signs and period advertisements.
Info: The Holiday Nostalgic Rides will run throughout the day on Sundays in December from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The exact departing times of these trains, as well as their routes, can be found on the New York Transit Museum website.
Tickets: There is no additional cost to ride these trains other than a standard subway fare.
Go: The Holiday Nostalgia Trains will operate between 2nd Avenue — Houston Street on the uptown F line and 96th Street — 2nd Avenue on the downtown Q line; 718-694-1600, nytransitmuseum.org/holidaynostalgiarides.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Find her at MMcGay@gannett.com, on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Must-visit festive attractions in NYC for 2024 holiday magic
