Christmas in New York: What To Do?
The Christmas season attracts millions of tourists to New York City every year - in fact, from Thanksgiving to New Year's, the city attracts five million visitors, according to the New York Times. The magical decorations, the iconic Rockefeller Tree, the snow covering Central Park, and other attractions are responsible for transforming NYC into a North Pole's colony.
We listed the best attractions New York has to offer during Christmas, including not-so-obvious events - some of them with a queer twist, because this is why we are here at the end of the day, right?
A Drag Queen Christmas
Trinity The Tuck, Monet X Change, Denali, Kylie Sonique Love, Heidi N Closet, Miz Cracker, JanSport, Sasha Velour, and Shea Coulee will perform at the King's Theatre, in Brooklyn, on November 13. The A-Team of drags is touring with A Drag Queen Christmas Show! Get ready for live singing, X-mas lip-syncing, and outfits inspired by fashion icons Mrs. Claus and Grinch.
The Return Of The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show
Speaking of RuPaul's Drag Race's alumnus, BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon are back with brand new Christmas songs and sketches! The duo will be traveling the United States and Canada with their new Christmas special, and they are planning to stop over at the Town Hall Theatre in New York on December 3!
Santa's Sing-a-Long at the Rockefeller Center
If you ever wanted to reenact the final scene of Elf (2003), when Zoey Deschanel leads a crowd of Christmas believers singing so Santa's Reindeers can retake the flight, this is your moment. Cooper Jordan Entertainment is organizing a Sing-a-Long serenade by the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and everybody is welcome to join them! Of course, your kids can also take pictures with Santa if they want to. Tickets start at $20.
A Christmas Cabaret
The award-winning and critically acclaimed cabaret performer Kim David Smith is coming back to Club Cumming with his Christmas special, A Wery Weimar Christmas. The show features special guests Boy Radio (Pop That) and drag superstar Alexis Michelle (Rupaul's Drag Race).
Shop for Christmas Ornaments
Opened every season of the year, the Christmas in New York store in Little Italy is the perfect place to find ornaments and decorations for your house or give to a special one. While shopping, don't forget to try their amazing hot chocolate!
CHRISTMAS QUEER SHOPPING
It's time for Christmas shopping, but make it queer! On December 4, 35 LGBTQ+-vendors will be selling their products at the Queer Art Winterfest at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn. And if you're not in the mood to spend money, don't worry! The event will also feature DJs and drag queen performances.
Thematic Pop-Up Bars
The Cocktail Kingdom is once again opening not one but three Christmas pop-up bars in New York City this year. "What does that even mean?" you may be asking. Everything inside the bar, including the cocktails, is created with one purpose only: to transport you right to the North Pole.
The pop-up bar Miracle will have a location in Alphabet City and another one in Williamsburg. Also in Alphabet City, Sippin Santa will serve refreshing Christmas-themed cocktails.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Now let's focus on classic events! The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a big part of the New York Christmas tradition. The Lighting Ceremony will happen on Wednesday, 12/01, with live performances from 7–9 pm, at Rockefeller Plaza. The tree is located between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, right in front of the iconic building. You will have until January 6, 2022, to visit and take Xmas selfies!
Ice Skating in Bryant Park
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park has the only ice skating rink with free admission in New York City - if you bring your own skates. To rent equipment, prices vary from $15 to $45.
The rink usually opens in late October and stays in the center of Bryant Park until March. The Winter Village, in general, is very charming and offers many options for shopping and food.
Ice Skating Rooftop
For the past years, the Vale Rink at William Vale hotel has stood out from other winter activities in the city because of its views. The ice rink is located on the 23rd floor of the hotel and has incredible city views. Last year, the tickets were on sale for $20.
If you are not into ice skating at all, then maybe you can enjoy one of William Vale's private chalets during the winter.
Holiday Windows
All department stores really put in the effort and the budget to play during the Christmas season in New York City. Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, and Bergdorf Goodman dispute between them to see who will have the most magical windows in town - Macy's is usually the winner. Luxury stores like Tiffany's, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton, also try to impress their clients with incredible Christmas decorations.
Christmas Tree at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Starting on November 24, the Met Christmas Tree exhibit will be opened for the public. The tree is decorated with a collection of 18th-century Neapolitan figures, recreating a nativity scene. The exhibition goes until January 5, 2022.
Holiday Lights at Dyker Heights
Nobody knows exactly when this tradition started, but the suburban neighborhood Dyker Heights welcomes thousands of curious new yorkers every year after Thanksgiving, thanks to their Christmas decorations.
The best lights are on 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street. You can get there by train, taking the D to 79th Street. Try to get there before 9 pm, because that's when most of the houses turn off their displays.
Radio City Rockettes
The Rockettes are back! After a forced hiatus caused by Covid-19 last year, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes will run from November 5 to January 2, 2022. And this time, they are promising to bring the most complex number they ever did to the stage!
The show includes nine numbers with different styles of dance. Tickets start at $49! Click here to buy it!
'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil
The iconic acrobatic group Cirque du Soleil will perform their Christmas special show at the Madison Square Garden in 2021. The spectacular production will run from December 9 to 27. Tickets start at $65!
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