December · New York City
December is New York at its most cinematic. The lights, the tree, the store windows, the ice rinks, the crowds — if you love Christmas movies, this is the month to visit. It's also crowded, expensive, and cold, but it's worth it. The city leans so hard into the holiday aesthetic that it feels like a movie set.
**The weather:** Average high 43°F, low 31°F. Below freezing nights. First snow typically arrives in December. Bundle up: warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, insulated shoes.
**What locals do:** - **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice rink** — the tree is lit the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and stays up through early January. Go early morning (6-8am) or late night (after 10pm) to avoid the worst crowds. - **5th Avenue holiday store windows** — Bergdorf's, Saks, Macy's Herald Square, Bloomingdale's, Tiffany. Walk from Bergdorf's (58th and 5th) south to Saks (50th) on a Saturday night for peak holiday vibes. - **Bryant Park Winter Village** — ice skating (free if you bring your own skates, rentals available), holiday market, outdoor bar. - **Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes** — hokey but iconic. 3-5 shows a day, you'll get in. - **The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center (NYC Ballet)** — the world-famous George Balanchine production. Book weeks ahead. - **Grand Central Terminal's holiday laser show and holiday fair** in Vanderbilt Hall. - **Dyker Heights Christmas lights (Brooklyn)** — locals go overboard with light displays on their homes. Take the R to 86th Street in Dyker Heights and walk blocks 11-13 between 83rd and 86th Streets. - **New Year's Eve** — Times Square (if you must), or better: the fireworks over Central Park at midnight from Bethesda Terrace, or the midnight run at the same time.
**What to eat in December:** - **Hot chocolate** everywhere - **Latkes and matzoh ball soup** at Russ & Daughters Café for Hanukkah season - **Roasted chestnuts** from street vendors (a winter tradition) - **Holiday prix-fixe menus** at fancy restaurants — the Russian Tea Room, Keens, Per Se
**Best for:** Holiday romantics, families with kids, first-time NYC visitors who want the movie version, photographers.
**Local tip:** Rockefeller Center's ice rink is $40+ per skater and takes hours of waiting. Bryant Park's rink is free (with your own skates) and has almost no wait. Same experience, 1/10 the hassle.