New York City at Christmas: the most festive things to do

Full of shimmering lights, magical performances and incredible decorations, New York City is a Christmas wonderland just waiting to be explored.

From the moment you step off the plane at JFK airport and out into the snow-lined streets of New York City, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a festive-filled dream. The hardest part will be deciding which festive experiences to add to your must-do list. Here are 8 New York City Christmas highlights worth considering.

1. Make your way up the Empire State Building

During the Christmas season, the Empire State Building has a line that stretches around the block, but you can jump the queue by purchasing a skip the line ticket online before you go. Throughout December the lobby is filled with the merry sounds of a pianist performing several holiday and seasonal classics while a small local student choir sings for guests.

New York City Christmas Empire State Building — During the holiday season, the Empire State Building has a line that stretches around the block.

The 102nd floor has undergone a renovation with a closed-in observation deck that shields guests from the freezing cold temperatures. Another addition to the iconic building is the installation of heat lamps on the popular 86th Floor Observatory to help keep visitors warm while they take in the 360-degree uninterrupted view of the city skyline.

The Second Floor Galleries have nine interactive exhibits that are guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Learn about the construction of the building, watch short-feature versions of your favourite Christmas movies on the panoramic display. And last but not least, step in line to get your picture taken inside King Kong’s giant hand.

2. Window shop on Fifth Avenue

Join in on a New York City 150-year-old tradition and stroll down Fifth Avenue to see the elaborate Christmas window displays. Every year it attracts crowds from all over the world who remain undeterred by the freezing cold temperatures. You’ll find some of the most decadent displays in the windows of Saks Fifth Ave, Tiffany & Co, Barneys New York, Bergdorf and Lord and Taylor Fifth Ave. For those with good self-control, you’ll find it is just as Christmassy on the inside. Just don’t expect to find a bargain inside these high-end stores.

3. Ice Skate at the Wollman Rink in Central Park

Wollman Rink is located at Central Park’s south end (only a six-minute walk from 5th Avenue Station) and is a New York City Christmas activity staple. You’ll recognise it from films such as Home Alone 2 and Serendipity. Tie up your ice skates and glide around the outdoor rink surrounded by snow-covered trees and take in the views of the city. It will make for the perfect photo opportunity. Once the sun goes down the rink is lit up under a blanket of twinkling lights. Could there be anything more magical?

4. High-kick with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall

The Rockettes have been high-kicking their way onto the stage and filling Radio City Music hall with Christmas cheer since 1933. Running from early November to the first week of January, these world-famous New York City dancers do between two to five shows per day. They average roughly 300 kicks per show without losing an ounce of energy or enthusiasm.

The Rockettes NYC — The Rockettes do almost 300 high kicks per show.

Purchase a Stage Door Tour along with your Christmas Spectacular ticket to experience a guided tour through Radio City Music Hall. Wander through the halls and aisles to get a behind-the-scene views of the auditorium – and the secret apartment inside, The Roxy Suite. If you’re still unconvinced, you’ll also be greeted by a Radio City Rockette at the end of your tour for a photo.

5. Watch the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting ceremony is another New York City Christmas tradition that tops the list of things to do this time of year. The free event is open to all members of the public and is also broadcasted live on TV. It is estimated that throughout winter more than half a million people pass by the Christmas tree every day that is lit up with around 30,000 twinkling lights.

The tree is normally set up at the beginning of November and then lit on the first week of December. For the full festive experience you can also book in an ice skating session on The Rink at Rockefeller Center underneath the tree, or head to the Top of the Rock for unobstructed views of the festivities happening below.

NYC Rockefeller Center — The lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree is a momentous occasion for New Yorkers.

6. Attend George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Center

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is performed by over 120 students from the School of American Ballet every year at the David H. Koch Theater and is considered an iconic New York City Christmas pastime.

Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the ballet tells the tale of a Nutcracker who leads his army of toy soldiers into battle against the Mouse King and his mice followers, but it is Marie who helps the Nutcracker win the war and breaks an ancient spell in the process.

The ballet has been performed in New York City at Christmas annually since 1954, when George Balanchine, a male ballet dancer from Russia, first choreographed his own version to Tschaikovsky’s original score. The season starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs until early January.

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7. Sled through the snow at Prospect Park

For the best snow-sledding in the city, you need to make your way over to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The park is located on the outskirts of New York City (a 40-minute train ride from Central Park) and is full of prime sledding hills. There are a few standout hills you should know about, including Long Meadow, Lookout Hill, Drummer’s Grove and Endale Arch. Each hill offers different heights for varying sledding speeds.

Once you’re all sledded-out for the day, head up the road to Tom’s Restaurant (not the Seinfeld one, sorry) for a decent feed. This old school All-American diner is located on Washington Avenue and is where Brooklynites commonly go to get their fill after a day of sledding. Order up a plate of Tom’s famous chocolate chip pancakes with butter and maple syrup.

Tom's Brooklyn — Stop into Tom’s Restaurant for an All-American feed.

8. Stroll through the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

If you’re in search of the best Christmas light displays in New York City, you’ll want to make your way downtown to Brooklyn to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights. Every house on 11th to 13th Avenue and 83rd to 86th Street has been decked out in just enough Christmas paraphernalia to rival Chevy Chase’s efforts in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

The prime time to see these displays is from dusk until 9 pm (when the lights turn off) and if you’re looking for a fuss-free way to see the lights there are numerous guided tours available to book.

Thinking of making the trip to the Big Apple? We’ve got you covered with an all you need to know guide on New York City.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.