Things to Do in NYC Between Christmas & New Year's (2026)
What's still open in New York after Christmas, from the lights and shows to New Year's Eve.
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The week after Christmas is one of the best times to see New York dressed up, as long as you know what's still running. The tree is still lit, Bryant Park is still skating until midnight, and the big shows are still running. What's gone by December 26 is the gift-shopping rush: the Union Square and Grand Central markets end on Christmas Eve.
This guide covers Saturday, December 26 through New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2026. It's built for visitors, families with kids off school, and New Yorkers who finally have a free afternoon. Don't expect quiet crowds, though. Book the one or two things you care about most, then leave the rest of the day loose.
Updated early November 2026. Holiday schedules can change, so check the venue's site for your exact date.
Everything Still Open December 26–31
All 27 picks are below, with what each costs and the one date detail worth knowing. Prices are per adult and were current on November 2.
| Experience | Area | Adult cost | Dates, Dec 26–31 | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockefeller Center tree | Midtown | Free | Daily | Check New Year's Eve hours |
| Fifth Avenue windows and Saks light show | Midtown | Free | Daily | Showtimes vary |
| Bryant Park Winter Village | Midtown | Free rink entry; skates from $18.72 | Daily | Rink open until midnight |
| Columbus Circle Holiday Market | Central Park South | Free | Through Dec 31 | Last day is Dec 31 |
| Hudson Yards Shine Bright | Hudson Yards | Free | Daily | Good bad-weather backup |
| Dyker Heights lights | Brooklyn | Free | Nightly | Go early in the evening |
| NYBG Holiday Train Show | Bronx | From $35 | Check Dec 31 | Open until 8 p.m. Dec 26–30 |
| Lightscape | Brooklyn | $29–$44 | Select nights | Book a timed entry |
| Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights | Bronx | $37.95 | Dec 26–31 | Arrive from 1 p.m. |
| Christmas Spectacular | Midtown | Ticketed | Check calendar | 90 minutes, no intermission |
| The Nutcracker | Lincoln Center | Ticketed | Dec 26–31 | No late seating |
| The Magic Flute | Lincoln Center | From about $45 | Dec 26, 28, 30 | Relaxed show Dec 26 |
| Alvin Ailey | Midtown | From $45 | Check program | Not every program ends with Revelations |
| A Christmas Carol | Financial District | Ticketed | Check calendar | Andy Karl plays Scrooge |
| Wollman Rink | Central Park | $40 plus $12 skates | Daily | Prime pricing all week |
| Holiday Train Show at Grand Central | Midtown East | Free | Dec 26–31 | No strollers |
| Origami Holiday Tree | Upper West Side | Museum admission | Check museum hours | Good with a museum day |
| Gingerbread NYC | East Harlem | Museum admission | Check museum hours | Vote for your favorite |
| The Met Christmas Tree | Upper East Side | Museum admission | Closed Dec 30 | Open until 9 p.m. Dec 26 |
| Celebrate Kwanzaa | Crown Heights | Dated ticket | Dec 26–30 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Plaza holiday tea | Central Park South | Ticketed | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Book now |
| Rolf's | Gramercy | Pay as you go | Check hours | Reservations by phone |
| Holiday jazz cruise | Chelsea | About $134 | Select sailings | 90 minutes |
| Staten Island Ferry | Lower Manhattan | Free | Daily | About 25 minutes each way |
| Prospect Park fireworks | Brooklyn | Free | Dec 31 | RSVP online |
| New Year's Eve at The Plaza or The Carlyle | Upper East Side and Central Park South | Ticketed | Dec 31 | Book early |
| Times Square ball drop | Midtown | Free | Dec 31 | Viewing areas open around 3 p.m. |
What to Do Each Day, December 26–31
The week starts on a Saturday and ends on a Thursday, so a few venues behave differently from a normal week. Use this to pick your anchor for each day.
| Day | Best plan | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 26 | The Met until 9 p.m., or NYBG's evening trains. The Nutcracker plays at 2 and 8. | The first Saturday after Christmas will be busy everywhere. |
| Sun, Dec 27 | The Nutcracker at 1 or 5, then Bryant Park. NYBG stays open until 8 p.m. | The Met closes at 5 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec 28 | The Magic Flute at 11 a.m., or Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children's Museum. | Wollman's regular Monday hours end at 2:30 p.m. |
| Tue, Dec 29 | The Nutcracker at 2 or 7, or a NYBG evening. | Wollman's regular Tuesday hours end at 2:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec 30 | The Magic Flute at noon, then Lincoln Center and Columbus Circle. Last night for NYBG's extended hours. | The Metropolitan Museum is closed. Kwanzaa ends today. |
| Thu, Dec 31 | The Nutcracker at 2, then a last lap of Columbus Circle before a reserved dinner or the fireworks. | Midtown streets start closing early. It's the last day for Columbus Circle. |
Christmas Lights and Holiday Sights Still Running
The biggest displays all stay up through New Year's Eve. For more options, see our guides to NYC Christmas lights and holiday markets.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111, USA
The tree stays lit into mid-January, and seeing it is free. Go early in the morning or late at night if you want to get close without the shuffle. It's right across from Saks, so do both on one walk.
Fifth Avenue Windows and the Saks Light Show
611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA
Start at Saks, where the six center windows follow an animated trip through New York, then walk north toward Central Park South. The light show is the reason to come after dark. Check the night's schedule first, because the crowd builds fast before each show.
Bryant Park Winter Village
41st Street and, 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018, USA
This is the easiest all-in-one stop in Midtown, with skating, The Lodge's food and drinks, and the Holiday Shops through January 3. The rink runs until midnight, and admission is free, though rentals start at $18.72. Reserve a skate slot ahead of time, especially for this week.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Cir &, Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, USA
The best market left for last-minute browsing, since it's right beside Central Park and runs through December 31. It pairs well with a park walk or a show at Lincoln Center. Don't count on evening shopping on New Year's Eve.
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, USA
More than two million lights, a hot-air balloon centerpiece, and a new Vessel light show make this a good pick when the weather turns. Much of it's indoors at The Shops, and there's plenty of food nearby. You can skip Edge unless you want the view anyway.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY, USA
These are the over-the-top Brooklyn houses you've seen in photos, mostly around 83rd to 86th Streets between 11th and 13th Avenues. It's free, and you don't need a tour unless you'd rather not deal with the subway. Go early in the evening, and remember these are people's homes.
Holiday Train Show at NYBG
2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
Model trains run through nearly 200 New York landmarks made from plant parts, including a new One Vanderbilt this year. This is the one to plan around this week: the conservatory stays open until 8 p.m. on December 26–30, with live jazz trios. Last entry is 7:15 p.m.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225, USA
An illuminated trail through the garden, best for a date night or anyone who'd rather walk than sit through a show. Tickets run $29 to $44 depending on the night, and you'll book a 15-minute entry window. Enter at 990 Washington Avenue, and if you're eating at the Lightscape Lodge, book it for 45 minutes after your entry.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
Holiday Lights runs every night of this window, and this year's ticket works like two visits in one. Arrive from 1 p.m. to see the animals, then stay for the lantern trails when they switch on at 4:30. Tickets are online only, and you'll want two to three hours for the lights alone.
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Shows Still Playing After Christmas
This is the easiest part of the week to book, and the best way to get out of the cold for a couple of hours. Our guide to the best Christmas shows in NYC has more options.
Christmas Spectacular at Radio City
1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, USA
The Rockettes run through January 4, with a new number this year and 230 performances in all. The show is 90 minutes with no intermission, so it fits easily around lunch or dinner. Aim to arrive 30 minutes early, since latecomers wait for a break between scenes.
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
New York City Ballet's version is the dressed-up holiday outing, and it's recommended for ages 5 and up. It plays every day from December 26 through December 31, including a 2 p.m. show on New Year's Eve. Give yourself extra time, because there's no late seating.
The Magic Flute at the Met Opera
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
The Met Opera's holiday version runs about 90 minutes and is sung in English, so it's a good first opera for kids. In this window, it plays December 26 at noon and 6 p.m., December 28 at 11 a.m., and December 30 at noon. The December 26 matinee is a relaxed performance.
Alvin Ailey at New York City Center
131 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Ailey's annual run goes through January 3, and it's the pick for anyone who wants something other than a holiday story. Programs change by date, so check that yours includes Revelations if that's what you're there for. Tickets start at $45.
A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC
Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St, New York, NY 10007, USA
Andy Karl plays Scrooge in this staging at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton Street. It gives you a reason to spend an evening downtown instead of Midtown. Pair it with the Staten Island Ferry earlier in the day.
Family Outings, Museums, and Winter Plans
These fill the gaps between bigger plans, and most of them work when it's too cold to stay outside. See our NYC ice skating guide for more rinks.
Wollman Rink
Q29G+46, 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
The Central Park skyline view is what you're paying for, and this week you'll pay top rate: $40 for adults, $12 for kids and $12 for skates. Everyone needs to sign a waiver, including non-skaters, and there's no re-entry. The closest park entrance is at 59th Street and Sixth Avenue.
Holiday Train Show at Grand Central
89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10001, USA
The Transit Museum's free gallery has a 34-foot, two-level layout with Lionel trains running past New York landmarks. It's a quick, easy stop with kids, just off the Main Concourse. Leave the stroller behind, because strollers aren't allowed in the gallery.
Origami Holiday Tree at the Natural History Museum
200 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10024, USA
A 13-foot tree covered in more than a thousand folded paper models, included with museum admission. It won't fill a day on its own, but it's a nice extra on a museum trip. Buy tickets ahead if you're visiting with kids this week.
Gingerbread NYC at the Museum of the City of New York
1220 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029, USA
Bakers from around the five boroughs rebuild New York icons in gingerbread, and visitors vote for a People's Choice winner. It's a good one for kids, and it's far enough up Fifth Avenue to skip the Midtown crowds. The museum says it's open every day, but confirm hours for your date.
The Met's Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Crèche
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
A 20-foot blue spruce rises over an 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene in the Medieval Sculpture Hall. It's the most beautiful tree in the city, and it's included with admission. Skip December 30, when the museum is closed, and go on Saturday, December 26 if you want to stay until 9 p.m.
Celebrate Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children's Museum
145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213, USA
NYC's largest Kwanzaa festival runs December 26–30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with daily candle lightings, performances, and dance, drumming, and art workshops. It's open Monday and Tuesday this week even though the museum's usually closed those days. Buy a ticket for your specific date.
Holiday Tea and New Year's Eve at The Plaza
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA
The Palm Court's afternoon tea is a splurge that feels right this week, especially for a parent and kid or a pair of friends. It runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and reservations for these dates are already open, so book now. On New Year's Eve, the Grand Fête runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with live entertainment, a buffet, premium open bar, and a Champagne toast at midnight.
Rolf's
281 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA
This Gramercy German restaurant is famous for ceilings packed with ornaments, lights, and icicles. Go for the room more than the food. Reservations are by phone at 281 Third Avenue, and they can fill up well in advance, so have a backup.
Holiday Jazz Cruise
62 Chelsea Piers Pier 62, New York, NY 10011, USA
Classic Harbor Line runs a 90-minute decorated-yacht cruise with live jazz from Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers. It's a warm way to see the skyline at night, and it works well for couples. Expect to pay about $134, and check the sailing calendar for your date.
Staten Island Ferry
4 Whitehall St, New York, NY 10004, USA
A free, roughly 25-minute ride each way with harbor views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It's the best cheap reset of the week. Go in daylight, then come back for lunch downtown.
New Year's Eve in NYC: Pick One Kind of Night
New Year's Eve doesn't reward a loose plan. Choose a seated night, the free fireworks, or Times Square, then build the evening around that one choice. If you'd rather stay indoors, The Plaza's Grand Fête is on the card above.
Prospect Park Fireworks
Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
This is the best free choice for most people. Brooklyn's 46-year tradition has live entertainment at Grand Army Plaza from 10 p.m. and fireworks at midnight, with a far easier night than Midtown. It's free, with an RSVP through the Prospect Park Alliance, and it's outdoors, so dress for standing in the cold.
New Year's Eve at The Carlyle
35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, USA
Peter Cincotti's black-tie gala at Café Carlyle is listed at $1,294 per person, including fees. After midnight, the party moves to dancing in the hotel lobby with live music. This is the classic Upper East Side version of the night.
Times Square Ball Drop
Manhattan, NY 10036, USA
Go only if the countdown itself is the point. It's free and first come, first served, but people arrive by the afternoon, there are no portable restrooms, and you can't return to your spot if you leave. Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, and alcohol aren't allowed, and paid "all-access" passes are a known scam.
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