NYC & Company Invites Global Visitors To Celebrate 2022 Holiday Season In New York City
October 27, 2022
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NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and convention and visitor's 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.
NYC & Company Invites Global Visitors To Celebrate 2022 Holiday Season In New York City
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 witnessed 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.”
Celebrating the holiday season in New York City
Following are festive events, performances, and activities across the five boroughs to celebrate the holiday season in New York City:
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
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.
Lighting of the Largest Menorah in Brooklyn
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.
New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop
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 Performances
DREAM BIG: Big Apple Circus Returns to Lincoln Center for 45th Anniversary
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.
Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
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.
A Christmas Carol, a one-man show on Broadway
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.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Presented by New York City Ballet
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.
The Christmas Show at St. George Theatre
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.
Amateur Night Holiday Show at the Apollo
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.
The Magic Flute Holiday Presentation at The Met Opera
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.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker at Kings Theatre
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.
The New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
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.
Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration at the Apollo Theater
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, and self-determination, as well as with sharing and giving back to local communities.
Winter Exhibitions and Cultural Events
The Seaport’s NYC Celebrations
Throughout the holiday season | Lower Manhattan
It’s the most wonderful time of the year as the historic cobblestone streets of The Seaport and Pier 17 turn into the ultimate destination for holiday celebrations. Festivities include the Hanukkah Menorah Lighting on December 18 and decorations throughout the streets.
SPECTACULAR FACTORY: The Holiday Multiverse at ARTECHOUSE
November 19–January 8 | Chelsea, Manhattan
ARTECHOUSE, a pioneer in innovative digital and experiential art, will hold an immersive and enchanting holiday art experience, perfect for the whole family. SPECTACULAR FACTORY: The Holiday Multiverse will be open to the public for guests to immerse themselves in a multiverse of holiday villages. Visitors will float among giant swinging jingle bells, crash the party of a thousand nutcrackers, join a thrilling train ride through wreaths, take a spin in the candy cane carousel and more.
Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
November 19–January 16 | Bedford Park, The Bronx
The Holiday Train Show—a favorite holiday tradition—has been making memories for over 30 years. Visitors will see model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 190 replicas of New York City landmarks, each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks.
Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at The Met Fifth Avenue
November 22–January 8 | Upper East Side, Manhattan
A NYC tradition, The Met’s Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche exhibition—an adorned tree with a nativity scene around its base—comes from a collection of 18th-century Neapolitan figures donated by American artist and collector Loretta Hines Howard in 1964.
Fifth Avenue Presents: The Fifth Season and Brand-New Open Streets
December 4 throughout the holiday season | Midtown Manhattan
Fifth Avenue’s holiday celebration, The Fifth Season, returns for its second year to bring cheer to Manhattan’s most iconic avenue. The Fifth Avenue Association will once again welcome guests from around the world to enjoy the iconic holiday windows and breathtaking decorations.
New for this season, Fifth Avenue will launch Open Streets. This new program will not only close Fifth Avenue to all vehicular traffic, but also open the sidewalks to a variety of food vendors and musical performers from local choirs and instrumental ensembles.
Apollo Winter Wonderland
December 10 | Harlem, Manhattan
Under the twinkling lights of its famous marquee, the Apollo Theater invites audiences to bring the family for holiday-themed activities including picture-taking with Santa Claus and amazing performances. This event is hosted by the Apollo’s Tour Director and Ambassador, Billy Mitchell.
The Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History
November 21 throughout the holiday season | Upper West Side, Manhattan
The delightfully decorated 13-foot Origami Holiday Tree, celebrating its 50th anniversary, will have a Gems of the Museum theme, featuring 50 specially created gold-colored models for the golden anniversary.
Holiday Wreath Workshop at Wave Hill
December 3–4 | Riverdale, The Bronx
Create natural wreaths using a grapevine base and fresh greens harvested by Wave Hill gardeners, as floral designer Hanako Shimamoto shares simple techniques for designing one-of-a-kind decorations.
Lightings
Shine Bright Only at Hudson Yards
Throughout the holiday season | Hudson Yards, Manhattan
The Shine Bright experience will once again return to Hudson Yards. Featuring over 2 million twinkling lights, Shine Bright Only at Hudson Yards, presented by Wells Fargo, will see the neighborhood adorned with 115-miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees dressed, and 16-foot-tall illuminated set pieces in the shape of hot air balloons arranged through the Public Square and Gardens with a 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece suspended in The Great Room of The Shops and Restaurants.
NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Journey to the East
October 21–January 8 | St. George, Staten Island
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival is back for its fourth year to transform a new venue, SIUH Community Park in Staten Island, into an immersive world of light. Visitors will enjoy over eight acres of luminescence in addition to a live DJ, projection mapping, food vendors and more.
NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Illuminate the Farm at Queens County Farm Museum
November 11–January 8 | Glen Oaks, Queens
Back for its second year, the NYC Winter Lantern Festival will transform Queens County Farm into an immersive and radiant oasis with festive lights and handmade lanterns in the shape of flowers, tractors, farm animals and more.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
November 16–January 8 | Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Explore the garden after dark at the illuminated Lightscape, which will celebrate the beauty of nature with an enchanting one-mile trail through BBG’s 52-acre landscape. Sold out in its first season, this year's after-dark, illuminated spectacular features new works of art alongside returning favorites.
Enjoy the Winter Cathedral tunnel, Fire Garden, and Sea of Light, as well as new site-specific lightworks by local artists, accompanied by a curated soundtrack.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
November 18–January 8 | Bronx Park, The Bronx
With more than 360 lanterns representing nearly 90 animal and plant species, Bronx Zoo’s family-centric holiday lights festival will connect visitors with real wildlife and wild places.
During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns (with some life-size, some larger-than-life-size) and animated light show sparkle across the zoo.
The celebration is complete with seasonal treats, classic holiday music and other festive entertainment. The beloved tradition is sure to enchant visitors of all ages, making it the perfect way to kick off the holidays this year.
NYBG GLOW
Select dates from November 18–January 14| Bedford Park, The Bronx
Discover the beauty of the New York Botanical Garden through NYBG GLOW, which will illuminate the garden’s landmark landscape and historic buildings after dark with a newly expanded 1.5-mile colorful experience. Building upon sold-out evenings the past two years, the event will expand across even more of the garden’s magnificent collections, making it a can’t-miss experience this holiday season.
Amaze Light Festival at Citi Field
Select dates from November 20–January 8 | Flushing, Queens
Amaze Light Festival welcomes visitors of every age to feel the spirit of the holidays in a universe of sparkle, music, food, dance, celebration, and wonder. Guests will be greeted by the lovable characters Zing and Sparky from the Amaze storybook, who bring the stage dancers, singers, and light show to life with their magic powers.
Visit the holiday market and then stop in and grab a treat at Sparky’s Sweet Spot. Enjoy savory and sweet culinary treats, as well as specialty drinks and cocktails. Zip down Zing’s icy Thrill Hill, take in the wonder on a train ride, write a letter to Santa, and make traditions and memories that last a lifetime.
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