New York City Offers Festive Events, Arts and Cultural Experiences, Hotel Offers and More Across All Five Boroughs
6.5 Million Travelers Expected to Visit NYC This Holiday Season
NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau, invites locals, tristate residents and visitors from around the world to experience New York City for the 2022-2023 holiday season. As one of the most iconic holiday destinations, NYC will once again play host to festive experiences and events across dining, shopping, culture and entertainment throughout all five boroughs. The fourth quarter is historically the strongest of the year, accounting for approximately 30 percent of visitation to the City. This anticipated, vibrant holiday season comes amid New York City’s continued tourism rebound, with 6.5 million people expected to visit between Thanksgiving and New Year’s alone. A total 56.7 million people are forecasted to visit NYC before the end of 2022–roughly 85 percent of record 2019 tourism levels.
“A trip to New York City during the holiday season is magical whether it’s your first visit or an annual tradition,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “From mid-November to January, we expect roughly 6.5 million people from around the world to visit the City. The five boroughs witness a transformation that includes iconic experiences along Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center as well as new holiday markets, pop-events and performances that create memories of a lifetime.”
Following are festive events, performances and activities across the five boroughs to celebrate the holiday season in New York City:
ANNUAL BIG EVENTS:
November 24 | Manhattan
The classic NYC celebration featuring larger-than-life helium balloons, fantasy floats, clowns, performance groups, Broadway’s biggest musicals, celebrity appearances and more is back for its 96th iteration. The parade will begin at its traditional starting line at West 77th Street and Central Park West and conclude in front of the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store.
November 30 | Midtown Manhattan
The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center has been a tradition for more than eight decades, lighting up Rockefeller Plaza each holiday season. The lighting ceremony on November 30 will feature performances and classic Christmas songs by soon-to-be-announced artists, and the tree will be on view through mid-January.
December 18–25 | Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza will light the largest menorah on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, with live music, hot latkes and gifts for children.
December 31–January 1 | Times Square, Manhattan
The Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball will sparkle in Times Square all season, but watching its descent in person on New Year’s Eve is a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime way to ring in the New Year. Millions view the broadcast event in NYC and around the globe along with spectators in Times Square on December 31. Guests can also stop by the New Year’s Eve Confetti Wishing Wall from December 1 on to submit (in person and online here) a wish for the New Year on a piece of official NYE confetti that will be dropped at midnight as the ball drops. Guests can also look out for details (at TSQ.org) about the arrival of the official numerals (‘2’ and ‘3’ for 2023) that will be in Times Square before ascending to the top of One Times Square to be lit as we welcome the New Year.
CHEERFUL PERFOMANCES:
November 9–January 1 | Upper West Side, Manhattan
The Big Apple Circus is back for its 45th anniversary season and invites visitors to experience the excitement of its dazzling newest extravaganza: DREAM BIG! For eight weeks only, Big Top at Lincoln Center will be home to astonishing wonders and daring acrobatics, setting imaginations soaring to the most astounding, awe-inspiring heights.
November 18–January 2 | Midtown Manhattan
The beloved holiday tradition once again returns to Radio City Music Hall for its annual musical stage show, which has dazzled audiences of all ages for nearly a century. With incredible costumes, festive songs, synchronized high kicks, new acts and several shows daily, now is the time to return and enjoy this festive custom.
November 21–January 1 | Midtown Manhattan
In this astonishing Broadway adaptation, Tony Award–winning actor Jefferson Mays tackles more than 50 roles in this season’s limited run of A Christmas Carol at the Nederlander Theatre. The beloved Dickens story featuring notable characters—Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the four ghosts—will be making its return for the first time since 2019 and will enchant theatergoers with its redemptive story.
November 25–December 31 | Upper West Side, Manhattan
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center returns for its annual performance featuring exquisite costumes, magnificent sets and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score that transports audiences to a land of twirling snowflakes, leaping candy canes, waltzing flowers and more. On November 27, TDF Autism Friendly Performances will present the first-ever Autism-Friendly Performance of New York City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
December 9–11 | St. George, Staten Island
The beloved theater presents its annual Christmas Show, a two-hour production filled with high energy and a rhinestone-studded series of songs and dances that the whole family will enjoy. The show also serves as a fundraiser for the St. George Theatre Restoration, Inc., over its limited three-day run.
December 10 | Harlem, Manhattan
The Apollo Amateur Night Holiday Special showcases talented young alumni of the show’s “Apollo Stars of Tomorrow” segment. The program captures the spirit of young performers all hoping to follow in the footsteps of music legends like Ella Fitzgerald and H.E.R., whose careers were launched on the stage of the Apollo.
December 16–January 6 | Upper West Side, Manhattan
The Met Opera’s abridged, English-language version of Mozart’s magical fairy tale is a classic holiday treat for audiences of all ages, bringing the charming story and enchanting music to life. This year’s series will feature Maestro Duncan Ward, making his company debut conducting Julie Taymor’s irresistible production.
December 17 | Flatbush, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar characters and scenes from the holiday classic to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of Brooklyn. From the old Dutch Brooklyn to the iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity and celebrates the borough’s spirit.
December 24 | Midtown Manhattan
A favorite of Carnegie Hall audiences for more than 50 years, the New York String Orchestra returns for its annual Christmas Eve concert conducted by Jaime Laredo and will feature some of the nation’s most celebrated young musicians performing alongside guest artists, including Venezuelan violinist Rubén Rengel, who joins the orchestra for J. S. Bach’s virtuosic Concerto in A Minor.
December 30 | Harlem, Manhattan The Apollo Theater will host its annual Kwanzaa Celebration featuring Abdel Salaam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theater in a powerful evening of music, percussion, and modern and African dance. This year’s celebration will feature special guest artist Pauline Jean and will celebrate the season with moments of unity, self- determination, as well as with sharing and giving back to local communities.
