What to do in New York in December ?

If you’re planning to visit New York this December, you’re probably wondering about the best things to do there. With the holiday season about to kick off, the city is gearing up for some great events. What are the top attractions and activities to explore or do in New York this December? Find out all you need to know in this guide.

New York in December : good or bad idea?

New York in December can be a chilling place. The weather there is freezing at this time of year. The first tip is to take warm clothes with you to cover up and you should be fine during your stay. The atmosphere in the city is still very pleasant as the holidays approach. It’s a great way to warm up the mood and the hearts of travellers.

Like every year, New York is very dynamic during the last month of the year and attracts a lot of visitors. Even though travel prices are higher, the city’s streets and main attractions are packed with tourists, especially from the second half of the month onwards. This is always the case at this festive time of year because there is so much to do and see that there is no chance of getting bored.

The city’s major sites and attractions remain accessible all year round, even in December.

Here are some ideas for outdoor activities:

• Visit the most famous monuments and buildings in New York: the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chrysler Building or Grand Central Terminal
• Take a stroll through the city’s legendary streets and neighbourhoods: 5th Avenue, Greenwich Village, Wall Street…
• Spice up your evenings by going to see a musical on Broadway
• Enjoy the best views of New York from the sky decks: The Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, the Summit One Vanderbilt, the One World Observatory……
• Discover the famous museums of New York such as the Met, the MoMa, the Guggenheim Museum…

So much for those activities that are available all year round. Now let’s take a look at the major events that are exceptionally available during the month of December.

The New York programme in December 2025

Ho ho hooo, celebrate Christmas in New York

With Christmas just around the corner, there are many events celebrated for the occasion. You’ll find activities on every street corner and in every neighbourhood in New York. The traditional New York Christmas markets are one of them: sometimes modern, sometimes artisanal, these original businesses offer products for all tastes. While in NYC at this time of year, you can pick up some great gifts and souvenirs.

Stroll through the city’s busiest streets, especially 5th Avenue. Many visitors gather here to admire the Christmas windows of New York department stores like Macy’s, Tiffany’s and Bloomingdale’s.

If you are travelling with your family and children, don’t miss Santa’s workshop at Macy’s Santaland. Children and adults alike will marvel at this enchanted world, which includes a forest, a rainbow bridge, a reindeer-drawn sleigh and, of course, Father Christmas, who warmly welcomes all visitors.

Another must-see this holiday season is a guided tour of Dyker Heights, Santa’s neighbourhood in Brooklyn. It has also been named the most decorated neighbourhood in the United States. Make a reservation now, the tour is worth it. You’ll see some stunning decorations created by the locals.

Other events not to be missed in December

Santa Run

Check out this rather unusual race in Brooklyn in which all participants must dress up as Father Christmas.

31 December 2025 New Year’s Eve

Experience the New Year’s Eve in New York in a festive and original way. Get together with the thousands of people who are waiting for the crystal globe to come down, as it does every year.

Or celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square. A large fireworks display will light up the New York Bay to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Holiday Train Show

Until January 2026, the Bronx Botanical Garden is displaying a dozen large-scale model trains and more than 140 replicas of iconic New York landmarks, from Penn Station to the Empire State Building.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

During the whole month of December, you can celebrate with the locals the Christmas Tree Lighting, the lighting of the biggest Christmas tree in America.

December’s sporting events

Basketball: watch an NBA

New York Knicks

In December, what could be better than attending a basketball match in the New York Knicks’ mecca: Madison Square Garden! It’s an opportunity to enjoy a moment that contrasts with the cold winter weather, in a crazy atmosphere. You can find out more about Knicks games as soon as the NBA’s 2025-2026 schedule becomes available.

Brooklyn Nets

New York is home to another NBA team: the Brooklyn Nets! And the atmosphere is just as hot in the Nets’ Barclays Center, but prices are a little cheaper – a great way to see some basketball! Check out the Nets games as soon as the NBA calendar is released.

Hockey: see an NHL match

Madison Square Garden is also home to a professional NHL team, the New York Rangers. The atmosphere is on a par with basketball, as long as you keep your jumper and jacket on. The Rangers have the unwavering support of their fans, which promises some unique moments! Find out more about this sport and the games in December, as soon as the NHL calendar is released.

Last month of American football

The Giants and Jets, New York’s two American football teams, are entering the home stretch of their regular season with the aim of finishing above eighth place, which is synonymous with qualification for the play-offs.

Giants fixtures for December (coming soon) :

Jets fixtures for December (coming soon) :

Soccer in December?

There is little chance of the two New York teams playing in December, as Major League Soccer enters the final phase of the play-offs with the two semi-finals and then the final. We hope so, but it’s never happened before that the two teams have got this far together.

If the New York Red Bulls reach the semi-final, tickets will be available below:

And if that’s the case with New York City FC, the seats will be there: