The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands illuminated following the 90th annual lighting ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
It’s Christmas time in NYC and as the city gets drenched in twinkling lights, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Santa Baby’ become the anthem, blown-up Santa Clauses’ fill the streets, and the holiday spirit begins to kick in. So, where’s the best attraction to visit to become childlike just for a little while?
Here are some attractions to visit this month:
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree
The center attraction of the city is lit daily from 5am to midnight. On Christmas Day, the tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am to 9pm. The tree goes dark for the season at 10pm on January 13.
It’s topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds. Erik Pauze, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center has been in charge of scouting, nurturing, and transporting the Christmas tree for the past three decades.
You can also visit The Rink at Rockefeller Center and ice skate away and breath in the cold air.
For general admission tickets at The Rink, click here.
Dyker Heights Holiday Lights
You may not be aware of this attraction just like I wasn’t but here’s all you need to know. The Brooklyn neighborhood is home to over-the-top Christmas decorations, sleighs, snowmen, and Christmas carols on loudspeakers. The Instagram-worthy strip begins the holiday season just after Thanksgiving and located between 83rd and 86th Streets, and 11th and 13th Avenues (Dyker Heights Boulevard.)
Take a visit before decorations are taken down shortly after New Years Eve.
The Christmas Spectacular Show Starring The Rockettes
Take a trip to Radio City Music Hall and enjoy a 90-minute production with no intermission that features Santa, wooden soldiers and charming Rockettes that been dazzling since 1933. The show has come a tradition for the city and includes scenes like, “Parade of Wooden Soldiers” and “Living Nativity.”
Did you know The Rockettes practice six hours a day, six days a week, for six weeks?
Best of all, the dancers kick up to 650 times in a day. What leg work!
Experience the spectacular show and find the next show and time best convenient for you by clicking here.
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
Shop around with an array of over two million twinkling lights looming over your head, setting the stage for a loving holiday spirit. That’s not all, though.
Hudson Yards is the home to New York’s highest skating rink at The Edge and hosts “Santa’s Secret” from Nov. 17 to Dec 31. The vintage speakeasy has a complete Christmas cocktail menu, treats and shows featuring ballet, burlesque, and living art.
Shows are every Wednesday to Saturday at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM and Sundays at 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Get tickets here.
Share your favorite Christmas attractions with me at citlalli.godinez@wabcradio.com
