United States, North America

New York City in December

The tree, the windows, the lights: pure magic at maximum density and maximum price. Go knowing exactly what you signed up for.

TradeoffsCold, highs near 44F (7C), festive everywhere

Manhattan skyline, New York City — New York CityPhoto: Superbass, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in New York City. The tree, the windows, the lights: pure magic at maximum density and maximum price. Go knowing exactly what you signed up for.

Weather: Cold, highs near 44F (7C), festive everywhere
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in New York City

December is cold, with highs near 44F (7C), and the city is festive everywhere. The Rockefeller tree, department-store windows, and ice rinks draw huge crowds. It is the most crowded and most expensive month of the year. Most places close on December 25, though Chinatown stays open and Broadway usually plays.

It suits families and couples who want the full holiday experience and accept the crowds and cost. Do holiday sights early in the day and retreat to museums. If you want lower prices and quieter streets, January is the calm version of winter New York.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about New York City this month.

The Rockefeller tree

The famous tree is lit all month. Visit at breakfast time before the crowds build.

Department-store windows

The holiday windows along Fifth Avenue are a free show. Go early on a weekday.

Ice skating

Ice rinks open around the city for the holiday season. Book time slots ahead on weekends.

What to pack for December

A warm winter coat
Hat, gloves, and scarf
Warm, waterproof boots
A small backpack for layers and snacks

Our timing tip

Book hotels months ahead and do holiday sights before 9am, especially with strollers.

Book New York City for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New York City
Opens a hotel search for New York City in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in New York City
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in New York City
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New York City for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Lit on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and on display into January, usually until about the middle of the month

New York's giant spruce, a Swarovski star, and a skating rink, lit from the week after Thanksgiving into January.

New Year's Eve in Times Square

December 31 every year, with the ball drop at midnight and viewing areas filling from the early afternoon

The most famous countdown on Earth, and a long, cold, bathroom-free wait to see it in person.

Holiday season

Late November through early January

The Rockefeller tree, department-store windows, and ice rinks. The most crowded, most expensive, most sparkly weeks of the year.

Things to do in New York City

Full guide

Central Park

Enter at 72nd Street for the Bethesda Terrace core. Weekday mornings feel local; the North Woods feels like another state entirely.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Too big to finish, so do not try. Pick two wings and go at opening or on Friday and Saturday evenings when it stays open late.

Tickets and tours →

A Broadway show

Book marquee shows weeks ahead; same-day rush, lottery, and the TKTS booth cover the rest. January and September have the best availability.

Tickets and tours →

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO

Walk it from Brooklyn toward Manhattan for the skyline in front of you the whole way. Before 8am you share it with joggers, not crowds.

Tickets and tours →

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Reserve crown access months out. The Staten Island Ferry is the free drive-by alternative with skyline views thrown in.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The High Line and Hudson Yards

An elevated rail line turned garden walk through Chelsea. Least crowded early morning or after dark, when it is lit and lovely.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Flip the icons to the edges of the day: Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square before 8am, the Met at opening, the High Line after dark. Midday belongs to neighborhoods, not landmarks.
In December, see the tree and the windows on a weeknight before 6pm or after 10pm, and spend your daytime hours downtown or in Brooklyn where the holiday crush thins dramatically.
Book observation decks for sunrise or the last night slot; midday sells the same view with triple the elbows.
Museums have quiet valves: Friday and Saturday evenings at the Met, weekday afternoons almost everywhere. First-Friday-type free hours draw the biggest lines of the week, so know the trade.

Know before you go

New York genuinely never closes seasonally. There is no off season for the museums, theaters, or restaurants; the calendar shifts what is on, not whether the city is open.
Thanksgiving Day and December 25 are the two days that actually shut most of the city: many museums and restaurants close, though Chinatown famously does not, and Broadway typically plays on December 25.
Some Broadway shows go dark on Mondays, and most museums close one weekday, commonly Monday or Wednesday. Check the specific show and museum before building your day.
January through early February brings the year's best availability: restaurant reservations, Broadway seats, and hotel deals that are fantasy in October or December.

New York City in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit New York City?

December is a month of real tradeoffs in New York City. The tree, the windows, the lights: pure magic at maximum density and maximum price. Go knowing exactly what you signed up for.

What is the weather like in New York City in December?

Cold, highs near 44F (7C), festive everywhere.

Is New York City crowded in December?

December is peak crowd season in New York City; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in New York City in December?

Holiday season (late november through early january).