Gather your favorite people and head out to a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony (or two), happening across the city. You can look forward to bright lights, seasonal bevvies, fireworks, Christmas carols, live performances, appearances by the big man in red, and more!
This year you can join in the festivities stretched over a week from The Seaport, to West Harlem Piers, Bronx Little Italy, and Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing. Scroll through for all the holiday celebrations and don’t forget to tag us in all the fun!
Bookmark this guide for new additions and updates.
Updated 12/1/22
The Seaport
Tuesday, November 29th
Kicks off 5pm, afterparty on the ice rink at 7pm
Join The Seaport for all the festive season fun. There’ll be live music, surprises, and the countdown to the tree lighting that marks the official start of the holidays.
Featuring a live music performance by Lukas Graham and an after-party at the Ice Rink with the Skating Princess and the Grinch on the ice, and a choreographed holiday performance by the Sky Rink All Stars.
You can also look forward to hot cocoa and cookies at the Garden Bar, live ice sculpting demo, photos with Santa, and kids decorating workshops at the Seaport Museum.
Tavern on the Green
Tuesday, November 29th
5:30-8pm
Join Tavern on the Green for the 6th annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Featuring complimentary treats and drinks, live music, and the Manhattan Holiday Carolers in partnership with the Westside Campaign Against Hunger.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Tuesday, November 29th
Kicks off at 6pm
Bryant Park’s annual Tree Lighting at Bank of America Winter Village will feature Broadway stars and co-hosts Jessica Vosk and Jelani Remy, performances by world-class skaters Mirai Nagasu, Polina Edmunds, Ryan Bradley, Ice Theatre of New York young apprentices Oona and Gage Brown, the Haydenettes, and Figure Skating in Harlem. Plus singing, fireworks, and more!
Enjoy a guaranteed view of Tree Lighting and be among the first skaters after the ceremony ends by purchasing a Tree Lighting Watch and Skate Pass. A full live stream of the event will also be available online, so you can join from wherever you are!
Brooklyn Commons
Wednesday, November 30th
5:30-7pm
Celebrate the start of the holiday season while enjoying a variety of festive outdoor activities at ‘Light Up Brooklyn Commons’.
You can explore an exhibition of exquisitely carved ice sculptures by the talented NY-based Okamoto Studio, behold joyful musical performances, sample holiday treats, and watch with wonder as Santa lights the treasured Brooklyn Commons Christmas tree. The Rink at Brooklyn Commons will also be open for ice skating during the event!
Rockefeller Center
Wednesday, November 30th
The holiday season will begin with the annual tree lighting in the heart of New York City at Rockefeller Center hosted by NBC News’ TODAY co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Craig Melvin, in addition to ACCESS Hollywood Host Mario Lopez with a highly anticipated holiday special night of festive performances!
Appearances include Jimmie Allen, Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli, Brett Eldredge, David Foster Katharine McPhee, Mickey Guyton, Alicia Keys, Amy Poehler, Radio City Rockettes, Maya Rudolph, The Muppets of Sesame Street, Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, The Shindellas, Gwen Stefani, Louis York, and others. Stefani and Shelton will perform a rare nationally-televised duet of their holiday single, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”
The tree lighting is at 9:57pm. You can also catch the Christmas at Rockefeller Center special broadcast on NBC, 8-10pm. You can also take part in the VIP Tree Lighting Experience, which includes a VIP Tour of Top of the Rock and Rainbow Room, and a Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Lodi.
New York Stock Exchange
Wednesday, November 30th
2-6pm
Sip some hot cocoa, send a note to Santa, and enjoy the sounds of the season as The New York Stock Exchange hosts its 99th annual lighting of the NYSE Christmas Tree.
The afternoon event will feature entertainers and performers including Maxx Factor, Dalton & the Sheriffs, Fogo Azul, The Salvation Army Choir, School of Rock, Brett Altman, Bella DeNapoli, NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, Léman Manhattan Preparatory School Choir, and more. Refreshments will also be served.
Dumbo Archway
Thursday, December 1st
4-7pm
The Dumbo Improvement District is sponsoring the 16th annual Dumbo Holiday Tree lighting ceremony with a countdown led by Alexandria Sica! Featuring a West Elm photo booth with Santa, Calypso music from Brooklyn-based steel drum band Jah Pan, Christmas covers by Curtis J. Social and the Dumbo House Band, and performances by PS307 and Dock Street middle school students.
Can’t forget the hot cocoa & sweet treats from Celestine, Ivy Stark, animated video projections on the Manhattan Bridge, and toy, coat, and food drives.
Central Park
Thursday, December 1st
Kicks of 5:30pm
Celebrate the season at the 26th Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park! Meet Santa and friends, sing carols on the Plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa while enjoying a variety of seasonal activities. The event concludes with lighting a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer.
Battery Park City
Thursday, December 1st
6-7:30pm
Kick off the season with a festive evening of lively carols, cozy beverages, and sweet treats with the Battery Park City community! View the new BPC Holiday Lights tree in Rockefeller Park. Celebrate the spirit of giving and help those in need by bringing an unwrapped gift to share with Stockings With Care. Special guest appearances by Sing Harlem Choir, and you-know-who!
West Harlem Piers (Hudson River Greenway)
Saturday, December 3rd
4:30-6pm
Celebrate the season with ‘Holiday on the Hudson’, featuring a holiday tree lighting, live music, decoration making, and hot chocolate.
Queens Botanical Garden
Saturday, December 3rd- Sunday December 4th
Take part in multicultural celebrations and discover the best of December with free live musical performances, tree lighting, a menorah display, selfies with Santa, holiday crafts, a tree tour, and storytime.
Indulge in holiday shopping with sales at the QBG Store and support local businesses at the outdoor Holiday Market! Enjoy a selection of beverages at the Holiday Bar for purchase. On Saturday, December 3rd, watch an ice sculpture in the making, and on Sunday, December 4th, see its final form on display!
Bronx Little Italy
Saturday, December 3rd
4-6pm
The Belmont BID welcomes the return of the Holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony! Meet Santa, sing Christmas carols, and enjoy Italian cookies and rich hot chocolate.
Astoria Park
Sunday, November 4th
3-5pm
Join Astoria Park for its 10th Annual Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Celebration. Enjoy children’s holiday arts and crafts, balloon art, festive stilt walkers, and special performances by Academia De Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer and Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers. Don’t forget to bring your letters for Santa’s mailbox!
Empire Outlets Staten Island
Saturday, December 3rd
7-8pm
Join Empire Outlets for their Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. There will be a dance performance by Dance Xpress and there will be free refreshments. There will also be an appearance from Santa Claus and Frankie the Ferry Hawk!
Fort Greene Park
Sunday, December 4th
4pm
The Fort Greene Park Tree Lighting will be in partnership with Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership. Stop by to take a picture and gather with your neighbors!
Lincoln Square
Monday, December 5th
Kicks off at 5pm
This season, Lincoln Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland. The Lincoln Square Holiday Tree is back in Dante Park between Broadway and Columbus Avenue at 63rd and 64th Streets. The tree, a Fraser Fir from Bliss, NY will feature unique ornaments from Color Me Mine, our local pottery studio, and thousands of LED lights.
Entertainment includes CHIA’s Dance Party and the Department of Spectacle. CHIA’s Dance Party, led by Martin Vejarano and his Brass Quintet, delivers a unique musical experience where infectious danceable grooves mix harmoniously with extensive compositional and improvisational work. Tanya Turgeon and her team of merry performers at the Department of Spectacle will deliver the gift of smiles to audiences of all ages with juggling, cheer, and interactive comedy.
Madison Square Park
Wednesday, December 7th
4-6pm
Join around the Madison Square Park Holiday Tree for a festive evening of family-friendly fun. This year marks the 110th anniversary of the first-holiday tree lighting in the park!
Come together with the rest of the park community for this joyful event and participate in free seasonal activities, featuring live music performances by Hannah Kidwell (Courtesy of Tin Pan Alley) and the NYL Singers (from New York Life Insurance Company).
Washington Square Park
Wednesday, December 7th
6-7pm
Celebrate your favorite winter holiday in December in Washington Square with the Washington Square Association. Join the Rob Susman Brass Quartet to sing holiday songs (songbooks provided). Santa Claus himself has promised to appear, candy canes in hand, and lead in the illumination countdown!
