Do you only have one day to explore NYC during Christmas? Don’t worry, you can still make it unforgettable! This one day NYC Christmas itinerary will take you through some of the most iconic and magical spots in the city during the holiday season.
Spending Christmas in New York City was always a dream of mine and it was just as magical as I had imagined! We spent four days exploring the Big Apple during the holiday season and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
However, I understand that not everyone has the luxury of time to explore NYC during Christmas. So, if I had only one day, this is how I would plan my itinerary to make the most out of the festive season in NYC.
*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*
Table of Contents
Are you planning a last-minute trip to New York during the holidays?
If your trip is coming up soon and you still haven’t booked anything, we have you covered! Below you can find our top picks when it comes to hotels, tours, getting around, and more.
Best Tours and Experiences at Christmas in New York
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Bus Tour (the prettiest lights in all of New York, you simply can’t miss this experience)
- Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes (the nr. 1 Christmassy show in the city, make sure to grab your tickets in advance as they sell out fast)
- Magical Christmas Lights Horse Carriage Ride (the most romantic experience)
- Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise (top-rated cruise in New York)
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Entrance Ticket (my favorite observatory in NYC)
Best Places to Stay in New York in December
- The Peninsula New York (the most festive luxury hotel)
- Lotte New York Palace (home to the iconic Christmas tree)
- Hyatt Centric Times Square (great mid-range hotel with epic views)
- MOXY NYC Times Square (amazing affordable hotel with the best location)
Planning to visit a handful of attractions? You can save a lot of money by purchasing a New York City Explorer Pass! You can choose from over 90 attractions and you can also customize your card to include 2-10 attractions so it’s really flexible.
Overview of Your NYC Christmas Itinerary for One Day
Breakdown of your NYC itinerary for Christmas
- Morning: Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue Christmas decorations
- Afternoon: Bryant Park Winter Village, Hudson Yards, Central Park, Radio City Music Hall
- Evening: Christmas Spectacular Show, Dinner at a festive restaurant
Map for your one day in NYC during Christmas
Below you can find a customized map that includes all the locations you’re going to visit on this one day NYC Christmas itinerary.
I marked the different times of the day with different colors – I used blue for the morning, green for the afternoon, and red for the evening, so you can easily see which places you’re going to visit during the day.
How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.
How to Spend One Day in New York City at Christmas
Rockefeller Center
Start your one-day NYC Christmas itinerary with a visit to Rockefeller Center. This iconic landmark is known for its massive Christmas tree and ice skating rink, both of which are must-sees during the holiday season.
It’s one of the places that you see in all the Christmas movies and I had always dreamed of seeing it in person. Let me tell you, it’s even more magical in real life!
Due to its popularity, it can get insanely crowded during the day. So, I recommend arriving early in the morning to beat the crowds and fully experience the holiday spirit at Rockefeller Center.
There’s also a huge ice rink right below the iconic Christmas tree, so if you’re up for it, you can take a spin on the ice. I would recommend booking your tickets in advance to avoid long lines.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Just a short walk from Rockefeller Center is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in New York City. During Christmas, it’s adorned with stunning decorations and lights, making it the perfect spot for some festive photos.
Even if you’re not religious, I highly recommend visiting this iconic landmark during the holiday season. It’s truly a sight to see and will leave you feeling in awe of its beauty.
Fifth Avenue Christmas Decorations
Here comes my favorite part of Christmas in NYC – the window displays and Christmas decorations! Fifth Avenue is known for its extravagant and over-the-top holiday decor and taking a walk along this famous shopping street is one of the best things to do in NYC in December.
Some must-see stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and Cartier. Visiting in the morning is the best time to beat the crowds and fully appreciate the decorations.
Don’t forget to stop by the Pulitzer Fountain on the edge of Central Park too! The fountain has a different theme every year and is a popular spot for photos.
Bryant Park Winter Village
After a morning of exploring iconic landmarks, it’s time to head over to Bryant Park for some holiday shopping and ice skating. The Winter Village at Bryant Park is a must-visit during Christmas in NYC.
It’s filled with cute little shops with the most amazing holiday decor and unique gifts. There’s also a lodge bar and food hall, where you can warm up with some hot cocoa or try some festive treats.
And of course, don’t miss out on the ice skating rink! It’s the only free admission ice skating rink in NYC and it’s surrounded by stunning views. You can also see the Empire State Building in the background as you skate!
I recommend grabbing something to eat here for lunch, as there are plenty of delicious options to choose from.
If you have some extra time on your hands, you can also stop by the nearby New York Public Library. It’s free to enter and it looks really beautiful on the inside!
Hudson Yards
After lunch, take a short subway ride to Hudson Yards, which is known for its massive holiday light displays. The whole shopping mall is decked out in sparkling lights and it’s a truly magical sight.
My favorite part of the holiday decorations was the giant hot air balloon installation, which is perfect for Instagram photos. We went back three times just to see it at different times of the day!
Hudson Yards is also home to the Edge, one of the best observatories in NYC. It’s one of the newest additions to the city and offers stunning views of the skyline, especially during sunset.
Unfortunately squeezing in a visit to the Edge might be a stretch during your one day NYC Christmas itinerary but if you can make it work, I highly recommend it!
Don’t forget to check out the Vessel right outside of the shopping mall, which is a unique structure that offers great views of the city as well.
Central Park
I hope you managed to warm up at Hudson Yards because it’s time to head over to Central Park! During Christmas, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with festive decorations and activities.
Some highlights of Central Park during the holiday season include ice skating at Wollman Rink, taking a carriage ride through the snowy pathways, and visiting the famous Plaza Hotel for some hot cocoa.
It’s also worth checking out the famous Christmas market at Columbus Circle, which is just outside of Central Park. Here you can find unique gifts and delicious treats from local vendors. It’s a great place to pick up some last-minute souvenirs!
Radio City Music Hall
No trip to NYC during Christmas is complete without seeing the Rockettes perform in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular show! This iconic performance is one of my favorite things to do in the city during the holiday season.
The show features amazing dance numbers, festive music, and of course, the famous high kicks from the Rockettes. Tickets sell out quickly, so make sure to book in advance to secure your spot at this must-see Christmas show.
There are lots of time slots available throughout the day, so you can easily fit this into your one-day NYC Christmas itinerary. If you can, I recommend choosing an evening show, between 5 and 7 pm.
I would also recommend arriving earlier to check out the Christmas decorations around Radio City Music Hall and take some photos before the show. There’s usually a huge Christmas tree on display and the whole area is beautifully lit up.
Some of my favorite NYC Christmas photo spots around Radio City Music Hall include the candy canes on Sixth Avenue, the Christmas ball fountain, and the stunning Christmas tree on Fox Square!
Dinner at a Festive Restaurant
To end your perfect day in NYC during Christmas, head to one of the many festive restaurants in the city for dinner. Some popular options include Rolf’s German Restaurant, Serendipity 3, and Lillie’s Victorian Establishment.
These restaurants are known for their over-the-top holiday decorations and festive menus. It’s the perfect way to end your day before heading back to your hotel or catching a flight home!
Since they are very popular during the holiday season, you have to make reservations in advance, sometimes months in advance. So make sure to plan ahead and secure your spot at these popular holiday dining spots.
More Festive Activities in NYC
While the above itinerary covers some of the best things to do in NYC during Christmas, there are many other festive activities and events that you can add to your list! Some popular options include:
- Taking a tour of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see the famous Christmas lights and decorations
- Going on a cruise around the city to see the Christmas lights and skyline from a different perspective
- Watching the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which usually happens in late November or early December
- Seeing the holiday displays at Macy’s on 34th St
- Attending a holiday-themed show on Broadway, such as The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol
- Visiting the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock for stunning views of the city covered in holiday lights
And the list is practically endless! If you have more time in NYC, make sure to check out my Christmas in New York itinerary for 4 days. Happy holidays and enjoy your magical time in the city that never sleeps!
Planning a trip to New York City?
Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about NYC. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!
- 9 Best Areas to Stay in New York City for First-Timers
- How to Spend One Day in New York City
- 4 Days in New York City Itinerary: How to See NYC in 4 Days
- Best Observatories in New York City: Which One to Visit?
- 32 Amazing Free Things to Do in NYC for Budget Travelers
- 25 Most Instagrammable Places in NYC You Can’t Miss
- 143 Incredible New York Captions for Instagram
- The Perfect Christmas in New York Itinerary for 4 Days
- 13 Incredible NYC Christmas Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
- 15 Festive Things to Do in New York City in December
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