December 25 is one of the easiest days to misjudge in New York City. A few of the city’s biggest attractions operate as usual, others shorten their hours, and many close completely. Knowing the difference before you leave your hotel can save a lot of frustration. Especially if you book a place to stay close to the attractions on your list.
This guide lists the best things to do in NYC on Christmas Day, along with current opening information, ticket advice, transit tips, and simple ways to put together a day that fits your schedule.
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Table of Content
- 12 Things to Do in NYC on Christmas Day
- 1. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- 2. Go Ice Skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink
- 3. Watch the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
- 4. Catch a Broadway Show
- 5. Walk Through Dyker Heights to See the Christmas Lights
- 6. Visit Bryant Park Winter Village
- 7. Ride to the Top of an Observation Deck
- 8. Attend a Christmas Day Service or Concert
- 9. See a Movie
- 10. Get Chinese Food (or Another Open Cuisine)
- 11. Take a Quiet Walk Through Central Park
- 12. Ride a Sightseeing Bus or Take a Skyline Photo Stop
- What's Closed in NYC on Christmas Day
- How to Plan Your Christmas Day in NYC
- What Does Christmas Day in NYC Cost?
- Getting Around NYC on Christmas Day
- Christmas Day in NYC for Families, Couples, and Groups
- Common Mistakes to Avoid on Christmas Day in NYC
- FAQs
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12 Things to Do in NYC on Christmas Day
Each entry below is verified as a Christmas Day option, with a note on what to expect. Because hours can shift year to year, always confirm same-day hours directly with the venue before you go.
1. See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Location: Rockefeller Plaza, between 5th and 6th Avenues, 49th and 50th Streets.
The tree stays lit and viewable outdoors through early January, with no admission or hours restriction, since it’s a public plaza. It’s typically a Norway spruce over 70 feet tall, decorated with more than 50,000 lights and topped with a Swarovski star.
Go early in the morning or later at night to avoid the heaviest crowds – Christmas Day itself tends to be quieter than the days immediately before it.
2. Go Ice Skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink
Location: Rockefeller Plaza (5th–6th Ave) or 830 5th Ave, near 59th Street, for Wollman Rink.
Both rinks typically operate through the winter season, and skating with the tree or the Central Park skyline as a backdrop is one of the most reliable Christmas Day activities in the city. Expect longer lines at Rockefeller Center; Wollman Rink in Central Park usually has more room to move.
Compare NYC hotel rates near Central Park if you want to walk to the rink instead of relying on holiday-schedule subway service.
3. Watch the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
Location: 1260 6th Ave, at Rockefeller Center.
This show runs into early January and typically performs on Christmas Day itself, making it one of the few big-ticket NYC holiday attractions that’s actually open on the 25th. It’s a 90-minute production combining precision dance, live music, and a handful of holiday classics.
4. Catch a Broadway Show
Location: Theater District, Midtown Manhattan, roughly 41st–53rd Streets between 6th and 8th Avenues.
Broadway is famously one of the few industries that goes full-tilt on December 25 – matinees and evening performances both run, and it’s historically one of the highest-attendance days of the year. Family-friendly long-running shows (The Lion King, Wicked, Aladdin) are a safe bet if you’re traveling with kids.
5. Walk Through Dyker Heights to See the Christmas Lights
Location: Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, roughly bordered by 11th and 13th Avenues, 83rd and 86th Streets.
This Brooklyn neighborhood’s homeowners compete for the most elaborate holiday light displays in the city, and because it’s a residential street – not a ticketed attraction – there’s no closure to worry about. Evening is the best time to see the lights lit.
6. Visit Bryant Park Winter Village
Location: Between 40th and 42nd Streets, 5th and 6th Avenues, Midtown Manhattan.
The market and rink typically stay open on Christmas Day with reduced midday hours rather than a full closure – historically around noon to 5 p.m., though this should be confirmed the same day since hours can shift. Bring your own skates if you want to use the free-admission rink.
7. Ride to the Top of an Observation Deck
Location: Multiple, all in Midtown or Lower Manhattan.
The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, and Summit One Vanderbilt are all known to operate on Christmas Day, and lighter holiday crowds make it one of the more comfortable days to visit. Book timed tickets in advance where offered.
Search hotels in New York City near Midtown,Manhattan to keep the tree, the Rockettes, and the observation decks all within walking distance.
8. Attend a Christmas Day Service or Concert
Location: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Ave between 50th and 51st Streets, is the best-known option, with several others across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Major churches and cathedrals hold services on Christmas Day, and several – including St. Patrick’s Cathedral – offer holiday concerts or livestreamed options if you’d rather watch than attend in person. This is a reliable, ticket-free option for the morning of the 25th.
9. See a Movie
December 25 is traditionally one of the biggest box-office release days of the year in the U.S., and most NYC movie theaters run a full schedule. It’s a classic, low-effort way to fill an afternoon indoors.
10. Get Chinese Food (or Another Open Cuisine)
Restaurants that don’t observe Christmas – Chinese restaurants especially – are famously reliable on December 25 and have become something of a NYC tradition in their own right. Reservations are still worth making in advance, since the ones that stay open get busy.
11. Take a Quiet Walk Through Central Park
NYC’s parks, including Central Park, Prospect Park, and Brooklyn Bridge Park, stay open on Christmas Day with no admission required. It’s one of the few days of the year the park feels genuinely uncrowded.
12. Ride a Sightseeing Bus or Take a Skyline Photo Stop
With fewer tourists in town and light, holiday-schedule traffic, Christmas Day is one of the easier days to get an unobstructed skyline photo from spots like DUMBO’s waterfront or the Brooklyn Bridge walkway.
What's Closed in NYC on Christmas Day
| Attraction | Status on Dec 25 |
|---|---|
| Bronx Zoo | Closed |
| New York Botanical Garden / Holiday Train Show | Closed |
| Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman (stores) | Closed |
| Most malls and shopping centers | Closed |
| Wollman Rink, Rockefeller Center Rink | Open |
| Radio City Christmas Spectacular | Open |
| Broadway shows | Open |
| Bryant Park Winter Village | Open, reduced hours |
| Observation decks | Open |
How to Plan Your Christmas Day in NYC
Christmas Day works differently from a normal NYC sightseeing day. Timed and ticketed activities sell out early, transit runs slower, and several of the city’s biggest draws are simply not an option. The most reliable approach is to lock in anything with a fixed showtime first, then build the quieter, flexible activities around it.
Morning (9–11 a.m.)
Start slow. A Christmas Day service or a walk through Central Park works well here, since neither requires a reservation and the park is close to empty compared with any other day of the year.
If you’re skating later, this is also the window to grab breakfast somewhere with no line, since most casual spots that are open fill up by midday.
Midday (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)
This is the busiest stretch for the free, no-ticket attractions – the Rockefeller Center tree and the surrounding plaza draw a steady crowd from late morning on.
Skate early in this window rather than late, and treat Bryant Park Winter Village as a midday stop specifically, since its Christmas Day hours run shorter than usual and it may close before evening.
Afternoon (2–5 p.m.)
This is the slot to use for anything with a set start time – an observation deck with a timed-entry ticket, or a matinee Broadway performance.
Afternoon light also makes this a good window for the Dyker Heights lights if you’re visiting during a shorter winter day, though the full effect is still best after dark.
Evening (5 p.m. onward)
Save the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or an evening Broadway show for this window, and book dinner in advance rather than walking in – restaurants that are open on the holiday fill quickly once evening shows let out.
If transit is a concern, this is also the point in the day when holiday-schedule subway gaps are most noticeable, so build in extra time getting to a show.
One more planning note: dress for a full day outdoors. Between the tree, the skating, and any walking between stops, a Christmas Day in NYC involves more time outside than a typical winter sightseeing day, and warm layers matter more than a packed schedule.
What Does Christmas Day in NYC Cost?
Prices shift year to year and by demand, so treat these as planning ranges rather than fixed numbers, and confirm current pricing directly with each venue before you book. As a general rule, Christmas Day pricing sits at or near the top of the winter season’s range, since it’s one of the highest-demand dates of the year.
- Ice skating – Roughly $15–$40 depending on rink and time slot, plus skate rental if you don’t bring your own – expect the higher end at Rockefeller Center and during evening sessions
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular – Wide range depending on date and seating, often $60 and up, with Christmas Day performances typically priced above an average-season showtime
- Observation decks – Roughly $40–$70 per adult depending on the venue and ticket tier; skip-the-line or sunset time slots usually cost more
- Broadway -Highly variable by show and seat; holiday performances tend to price toward the higher end, and long-running family shows sell out further in advance than usual
- Dining – Restaurants that stay open on Christmas Day often add a holiday menu or minimum, so ask when you reserve rather than assuming standard pricing applies
- Transit – A standard subway/bus fare applies on the holiday schedule, so a day pass or pay-per-ride card covers a full day of stop-hopping without an added holiday surcharge
For a rough sense of scale: a family of four doing one ticketed show, one round of skating, and dinner out should plan for a noticeably higher total than a typical December day, mostly driven by show tickets rather than the free attractions.
Getting Around NYC on Christmas Day
The subway and buses run on a holiday schedule, which usually means Sunday-level service – less frequent than a weekday, with longer gaps between trains on some lines.
This matters most for connections between boroughs, where a missed train can mean a 15–20 minute wait rather than the usual few minutes. Build in extra transit time for anything with a fixed start time, like a show or timed observation deck ticket.
Traffic is lighter than any other day of the year, which makes cabs and rideshares a reasonable backup if a subway connection is running slow – though rideshare pricing can still spike around peak show-letout times in the early evening.
Walking is often the most reliable option within Midtown itself, since the tree, the Rockettes, most Broadway theaters, and several observation decks all sit within a compact, walkable area.
A Citi Bike day pass is another option for covering longer distances without relying on transit timing, as long as the weather cooperates.
Christmas Day in NYC for Families, Couples, and Groups
Different travelers tend to enjoy Christmas Day in New York City in different ways, and planning around your group’s interests can make the experience much smoother.
Families often have the best experience with a matinee Broadway show, followed by ice skating and an early dinner.
If you’re traveling with young children, consider skipping the latest Rockettes performance, as evening shows can be a long day for little ones. Since family-friendly performances on Christmas Day are among the first to sell out, it’s worth booking matinee tickets as early as possible.
Couples can create a memorable holiday by visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in the evening, enjoying a festive dinner at a restaurant that’s open on Christmas Day, and finishing the night with a stroll through the holiday lights in Dyker Heights.
Secure your dinner reservation first, then plan the rest of your evening around that reservation to avoid unnecessary rushing.
Groups usually benefit from keeping the schedule flexible. Choose one timed activity everyone can enjoy together, such as ice skating or visiting an observation deck, then allow free time before meeting again for dinner.
Because public transportation and busy streets can slow everyone down during the holidays, agree on a specific meeting place and time in advance to make regrouping easier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Christmas Day in NYC
- Assuming the zoo or botanical garden is open. Both close on December 25 – confirm any nature-based activity is on the open list before building it into your day.
- Not booking Rockettes or Broadway tickets in advance. Christmas Day is one of the highest-demand dates of the year for both.
- Ignoring the holiday transit schedule. Subway and bus service typically runs less frequently, so pad travel time between stops.
- Assuming all restaurants are open. Many close for the holiday – reserve ahead at one of the restaurants confirmed to be operating.
- Planning a shopping-heavy day. Stores and malls are closed; save retail for December 26 or earlier in the season.
FAQs
Some of the best things to do on Christmas Day in New York include seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, watching the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, attending a Broadway show, ice skating, visiting an observation deck, touring Dyker Heights, and spending time in Central Park.
Yes. Although many stores and some attractions close on December 25, many of New York City’s most popular holiday experiences remain open, making it one of the most festive days to visit.
Broadway theaters, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, observation decks, Central Park, many movie theaters, selected restaurants, and some ice-skating rinks are typically open. Always confirm holiday hours before your visit.
Yes. Many restaurants operate on Christmas Day, particularly Chinese restaurants, hotel restaurants, and selected international dining spots. Reservations are recommended because demand is high.
Yes. Many Broadway productions schedule matinee and evening performances on Christmas Day. Tickets often sell out weeks in advance.
Yes. The subway and buses operate on a holiday schedule, so trains and buses arrive less frequently than on a regular weekday.
Yes. Broadway shows, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, observation decks, and ice-skating sessions often require advance reservations because Christmas Day is one of the busiest days of the holiday season.
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