Looking for lights? Rockefeller Center is home to the iconic Christmas tree, ideal for capturing next year’s family card or ice skating while taking in the NYC skyline. If you head a few blocks uptown, you can find the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah across the street from The Plaza Hotel to kick off the Jewish Festival of Lights. Take a trip to the popular Christmas tree at Madison Square Park to see the first place where a Christmas tree was ever installed in the USA! And of course, the iconic Central Park has its own Christmas tree that is floating in a lake located in the northwest section of the park called Harlem Meer.

Get all your holiday shopping done (including something for yourself – we won’t tell) at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, home to over 150 seasonal kiosks and food vendors. If you’re looking for more, head further downtown to the Union Square Holiday Market. The European-style market features 150 local and national vendors that offer everything from jewelry to leather goods, premium artwork, and handmade accessories. If that’s not enough, head further uptown to browse and shop at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market with around 100 booths and stores.

For a classic shopping excursion with an extra festive twist, pass through Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square, making sure to stop and admire the classic decked out storefront windows on the way in. Window shopping gets a facelift this season with NYC holiday windows, including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and more. Know that there is convenient parking throughout the city when you book a parking spot with Parking.com. Never get lost as you navigate to new parking locations with the turn by turn directions provided in our app.

If savoring the season by foot isn’t enough, slip on a pair of ice skates to take the festivity to the next level. Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and Bryant Park all boast popular rinks, no skill required.

For those trying to escape the cold, there are plenty of other options. Grab seats at the renowned Radio City Christmas Spectacular, witnessing Rockette kicks almost as high as NYC’s rent. To keep the performances going, catch “The Nutcracker” by the New York City Ballet. Also, take a trip to the New York Philharmonic and continue the holiday celebration with Handel’s Messiah, and family-friendly holiday brass concerts, featuring your favorite holiday songs! They will also show Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in concert, where the film will be projected in high-definition while the NY Phil performs the John William’s score. 

Happen to be downtown this season? Let the Luminaries at Brookfield Place brighten your holidays with a canopy of colorful lights emanating from hundreds of hanging lanterns. Want to find out if you made it on the “naughty” or “nice” list this year? Ask Santa himself and take a photo with him at Santa at Brookfield Place.  While you’re there, give yourself a magical holiday experience with BFPL ice skating, shopping, dining, and more! On select dates, enjoy a free one-hour version of “The Nutcracker” performed by the New York Theatre Ballet.

Bundle up, keep this guide handy, and prepare for a stress-free holiday in NYC! No matter the Manhattan neighborhood or NYC borough you’re visiting, utilize Parking.com or our mobile app to find convenient parking spots and book in advance so you can navigate the city stress free this holiday season