While New York City is always teeming with activity, Manhattan residents and businesses decorate the city for the holidays with large and elaborate sculptures, statues, trees and lights. Take a walk through the streets to soak in the holiday decorations. The city also provides additional shows and attractions for adults and children.
Most major department stores in Manhattan decorate their windows with specially designed contents for the holiday season. These elaborate displays often tell a story in multiple windows and include music and narrative. While some cater to a child's imagination at Christmas, others portray elegant, avant-garde or sophisticated elements of the holidays for adults.
New York City is one of the world's foremost places for theatre. During the holidays, theatre goers have additional options in shows to see. Radio City Music Hall offers an annual Rockettes Christmas show. Holiday shows like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" may offer limited, seasonal runs at Broadway theaters. For a more traditional choice, ballet lovers can always find a production of The Nutcracker to enjoy.
Most department stores offer a Santa for children to visit. For a more elaborate sit-down with Santa, Macy's at Herald Square offers a New York tradition called Santaland. You and your kids can view dancing teddy bears, sprawling miniature train sets and a pageant of decorated Christmas trees on Santaland winding path through the North Pole. Although designed to help soak up the time while waiting in line, Santaland has become a draw itself.
For anyone interested in something slightly more physically challenging, the city offers two locations for ice skating in Manhattan. Rockefeller Center offers its iconic skating rink surrounded by a range of decorations, including a massive Christmas tree. For a more quiet setting, skaters can go to the rink in Central Park. Visitors skate on a more spacious rink and rest with hot drinks and snacks.
While New York City is famous for its department stores, boutiques and shopping centers, additional holiday gift fairs pop up throughout the city during the holidays. Christmas markets, common in Europe, are usually a collection of local artists, artisans and small business owners who sell their items at booths. Most local businesses will know about the locations and dates of upcoming holiday markets. Neighborhood associations and regional business chambers often sponsor the fairs at community centers, churches and city squares during the holiday season.
