Things to do in NYC in December 2026
December is New York at its busiest and most lit up. Here is the month in one place — the markets, the lights, the shows, the free things and the build-up to New Year's Eve — with the 2026 dates confirmed so far and the ones still to come.
By Alex Oz · · 8 min read
The month at a glance
Everything is open by the first week of December and most of it runs to Christmas Eve or into early January. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Christmas Day is a Friday, Kwanzaa starts on Saturday, December 26, and New Year's Eve is a Thursday.
It is dark by about 4:30pm, which works in your favor: the lights are on by the time most people leave work.
Holiday markets
All the big markets are open in December, and entry to every one of them is free.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Oct 28, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · Free rink with your own skates
The biggest market, around a free ice rink, open 11am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 8pm on weekends. The rink stays open until midnight through the holidays.
Union Square, Columbus Circle and Grand Central
2026 dates not yet announced for all three
In 2025 Union Square ran from mid-November to December 24, Columbus Circle from early December to the end of the month, and the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair from November 10 to December 24. Our holiday markets guide has the details, and we update it as 2026 dates are posted.
Lights and the tree
Rockefeller Center tree
Lighting date not yet announced · 2025: Wed, Dec 3
The lighting is traditionally the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, which would be December 2 in 2026, but Rockefeller Center had not confirmed it. In 2025 the tree was lit from 5am to midnight daily after the ceremony. Our tree lighting guide covers the crowds and the best times to go.
Free light displays
Dyker Heights, Saks, the Fifth Avenue windows
The houses of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn are at their fullest from early December; go on a weeknight. On Fifth Avenue, the Saks light show and the department store windows are free to see every evening.
Ticketed light trails
Lightscape · Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights · NYBG Holiday Train Show
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden runs November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027; Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights runs on select nights from November 21 to January 3; and the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show runs November 14 to January 10. All three sell out on December weekends, so book early. Prices are in our Christmas lights guide.
Holiday shows
Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave · Opens Nov 4, 2026 · About 90 minutes
The Rockettes' show opens November 4 and runs through the holidays, with 230 performances this season, the most ever. It lasts about 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are digital only and all sales are final. Weekday daytime shows are the easiest to get.
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
New York City Ballet · David H. Koch Theater · Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
New York City Ballet's Nutcracker runs from the day after Thanksgiving to January 3 at Lincoln Center. It lasts about an hour and a half, is recommended for ages 5 and up, and every child needs a ticket, even on a lap.
Free things to do
The Bryant Park rink is free with your own skates and a free reservation. Walking the Winter Village, the Rockefeller tree, the Saks show and the Fifth Avenue windows costs nothing. The Staten Island Ferry runs free around the clock, and the harbor is especially good at dusk.
Public menorah lightings for Hanukkah, neighborhood tree lightings, library programs and park events fill the rest of the month. Most are announced late, and we add them to the live calendar as they are published.
The run-up to New Year's Eve
The week between Christmas and New Year's is the most crowded of the year in Midtown; it is a good week to head to the outer boroughs. The NYBG Holiday Train Show stays open until 8pm on December 26–30 for its Holiday Train Nights.
On December 31 the options are the Times Square ball drop (free, but many hours in a pen), the Prospect Park fireworks, and the NYRR Midnight Run in Central Park. Our New Year's Eve guide covers the logistics of each.
Free events this week
Free events on the live calendar across the five boroughs over the next seven days, including holiday programs as the parks and venues publish them.
Updated Sep 20, 10:09 AM EDT
Celebrate 50 Years Through the Five Boroughs with Open Run: Conference House Park
NYRR Open Run: Marine Park
NYRR Open Run: Cunningham Park Back to School Chalk Challenge
Girl's Softball Clinic
Sunday Greenmarket at Bartel-Pritchard Square
Strength & Cardio Circuit Training
Kids In Motions: Carmansville Playground
Kids In Motion: Rosemary's Playground
Kids In Motion: Grover Cleveland Playground
Nature Exploration: Tree Appreciation Month
Park Pitch In: Street Tree Care
Smorgasburg
Keep going
- Holiday markets in NYCBryant Park, Union Square, Columbus Circle and Grand Central, with dates.
- Christmas lights in NYCDyker Heights, Saks and the ticketed light trails, with prices.
- Rockefeller Center tree lighting 2026The lighting date, the crowds and the viewing hours.
- Ice skating in NYCEvery big rink, including the free one at Bryant Park.
- New Year's Eve in NYCThe ball drop, the fireworks and the free options.
- Free museum days in NYCFree hours for the cold days between the holidays.