Welcome in 2022 with a BANG: Make Plans in NYC with Social Meeting Apps
NYC remains the beating heart of the USA, forever charming and beautiful! New York is home to 10 million people; there are tons of things to do and see here, too. The city exudes an incredible vibrancy few other cities in the whole world can compete with. Thousands of restaurants, museums, plays and quirky things make it more fun. Here you will experience a vivid celebration of life throughout the year, especially in December, which will leave you euphoric. This year, too, celebrations are in full force and you will find yourself surrounded by lights, music, dance performances, market fairs and holiday events. This is the best time to plan an epic trip to New York and visit the evergreen attractions, like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park. If you are planning for a weekend, there is so much to see that you will need a lifetime to do it all. Here is an ultimate guide on how to make plans in NYC and make the best use of the holidays. What are the best things to do and see in NYC? When is the best time to visit? How can you make the most of it? You will find answers to your questions in this post.
What makes New York more special in December?
Holiday cheer: New York is one of the best cities to spend the annual holidays. It is also known as the ‘melting pot of the world’ as it witnesses extreme holiday celebrations from various cultures across the globe. The festive season starts with Thanksgiving and flows through December until the New Year. That is why most people prefer to spend their holidays and make plans in NYC.
Calm environment: The city witnesses two phases – the first couple of weeks don't have many tourists so you can enjoy shopping with fewer queues. But if you love a crowd and being in the thick of things, enjoy the last weeks of December when there is holiday madness all around. Flight and accommodation expenses reflect this as well; choose the kind of experience you want!
Shopping frenzy: New York has multiple sales during the Christmas market fairs and pop-ups. As a result, the city is ideal for festive shopping. Even window shopping is a treat here, going over the top with holiday decorations. In addition, you can see special shows, like a Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes and Nutcrackers, plus several music concerts to entertain you and the entire family.
Fabulous weather: If you want to make plans in NYC, make sure you choose December. Winter is in full force and temperatures drop during this month. The average daytime temperature is 7°C and it often goes down to 0°C at night. In addition, you can expect rain and windy snowstorms to hit the city towards the end of the month.
Top plans to make in NYC this December
First, let's check out what's happening this year. Not everything will be the same this year due to COVID but luckily, New York's famous celebrations are still going on as scheduled. In addition to that, new social events and virtual components have been launched. For instance, Lumino City Festival is a newly-launched fair. Randall’s Island hosts an immersive light show. Anyone looking for a little holiday magic can visit this with family and friends. Rather than showcasing houses, take a walk through colorful sculptures inspired by nature, history, art and fantasy. There are food trucks, gift shops, galleries and many more fun places.
Make it a music winter: a not-so-Silent Night: Not every winter activity is about New Year’s or Christmas. December 21 is known as the shortest day of the year. On this day, people make plans in NYC and join a free outdoor music-making celebration hosted throughout New York City to commemorate the winter solstice. The Make Music Alliance is a non-profit organization that uses music to connect New Yorkers with their community and, guys, we all need to connect after the horror of the 2020 pandemic! Anyone can attend or participate in this free musical festival to sing, dance or play their instruments, whether via a smartphone or a harmonica.
There are musical parades and each one is different; they’re encouraged to be outdoors with security this year. Be sure to read specific descriptions of each event before you go.
The famous Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center: The Rockefeller Center is the hub of holiday season during December. The giant Christmas traditional tree takes you back almost 100 years and seeing the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is the highlight of the holiday season. All the lights and decorations will take your breath away and don’t forget to snap that iconic photo in front of the ice-skating rink. Visit the annual Christmas tree lighting during a ceremony featuring exceptional musical performances and special guests which all happens after Thanksgiving weekend. This event is one of the most crowded in the city but is a must when you make plans in NYC. However, this year, guests will be limited to maintain proper distancing. If you can't make it to the plaza, you can still watch the lighting of the tree from home.
NYC Saks 5th Avenue Christmas Lightshow: After visiting the Rockefeller Center, you must check out the Saks 5th Avenue Christmas Lightshow. It starts around 5pm and does the full light show every 10-15 minutes. You can also see the show from the Rockefeller Center. Saks 5th Avenue is located at 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022.
Radio City Music Hall: One of the best things to do in New York City is to visit Radio City Music Hall in December. Every New Yorker's bucket list includes Rockettes dance night. Radio City Music Hall has been the spark of Manhattan, New York City, since 1932. The address is 260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020. Book your tickets in advance to avoid any inconvenience. Here you will find the iconic giant red Christmas ornament and beautifully decorative court. Vendors are selling all types of goodies, including bags, paintings and wallets. If you don't manage to watch the show, make sure to go and see Radio City’s Christmas tree decorations; they are marvelous.
Ice-Skating: If you are making plans in NYC and still miss ice skating, your trip is incomplete. The three major ice-skating rinks, Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink and Bryant Park, are favorite spots. When skating at Rockefeller Center, choosing to venture to one of the other rinks can be a safe bet. The crowds are smaller and you won't have to wait longer. Additionally, skating below the city's biggest Christmas tree is an amazing experience and a memorable moment. Wollman Rink is right inside Central Park, behind the zoo. The extraordinary combination of trees surrounding the city's architecture makes this the most enjoyable rink in the city. Finally, the Bryant Park ice skating rink is in the middle of the Winter Village. If you are looking to go skating at night, the Bryant Park ice skating rink is perfect.
It’s got classic holiday music, lights and food to entertain you when you’re not skating. This year at Bryant Park, reservations can be made online to limit the number of skaters on the rink. Also, instead of locker rooms for storing your stuff, you will get a free drawstring bag to carry things with you on ice.
Christmas Windows on Fifth Avenue: Window displays along Fifth Avenue are the most dazzling ones in the world; they glow more, especially in December. As you walk up and down the streets for holiday shopping, take time to admire these lights and decoration. The best ones are seen in Saks Fifth Avenue (right across the street from the Rockefeller Center). If you are there in the evening, be sure to stick around for the light show. The dancing lights and play on a loop every 10 minutes.
Holiday Shopping in December in New York City: One of the best things to make plans for in NYC is to check out our one-of-a-kind artists’ markets, flea markets, craft fairs or shopping festivals. The special market offers antiques, lots of food and drink, deep bargains and a festive shopping atmosphere. Explore the top markets in the city, ice skate, sip hot cocoa and shop your way through fantastic holiday markets. Shop for unique, memorable gifts for your family and friends. Review Grand Central Holiday Market, Shops at Winter Village Bryant Park, Union
Square Holiday Market, and more holiday market shopping tours. Cross off holiday shopping list like:
Holiday Shops at Bryant Park - October 29, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Grand Central Holiday Fair - November 15 - December 24, 2021
Union Square Holiday Market - November 18 - December 24, 2021
Columbus Circle Holiday Market - November 27 - December 24, 2021
Choose private NYC Christmas market shopping Tours if you want to be guided around the best markets in NYC. The December designer sample sales from L’Oreal, Autumn Cashmere, Diane von Furstenberg, and many more are worth a visit, too. Stay up-to-date with New York City’s Sample Sale Calendar.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights: Get into the holiday spirit with one of the largest zoos in the country. Bronx Zoo features a range of seasonal entertainment and decorations. Stilt walkers, holiday treats, costumed characters, the wildlife theater, Christmas trees, five animal lantern safaris and an ice carving competition – you can enjoy all of them here.
New York Botanical Garden Glow: The outdoor light experience will light up the grounds with thousands of energy-efficient LED lights. So, get ready for the second annual NYBG Glow! You can walk the expanded 1.5 miles with even more illuminated displays, including plant stories and picture perfect installations that reflect the surrounding garden. The Mertz Library Building and Haupt Conservatory are glowing centerpieces. There is a dance performance with other seasonal activities and snacks for people to enjoy. Tickets are on sale now!
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Times Square: Everyone has heard about the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration; it is grand and marvelous! Being the city’s biggest event of the year, it starts early at 6am on December 31 and people continue celebrating until the next morning. Folks line up to watch the famous ball drop. This year everyone is so excited to attend the event after the havoc from the pandemic of 2020. But in-person attendance will be extremely limited this year. Live elements will be significantly scaled back. Plans are made to enhance the virtual broadcast of the celebration and make it more immersive for everyone so people will feel like they are there.
Tips for managing the crowd and enjoying a safer environment:
If you are dining at a famous restaurant, make an early reservation. If the establishment doesn’t accept reservations, visit at off-peak hours. Have lunch or do an early dinner there.
Want to avoid crowds and people in your photo? Wake up early and visit to take better photographs. Early means waking up at the crack of dawn and give yourself time to travel around the city.
Everything will take time during the Christmas rush; using New York’s public transit system will be a cost-effective and quick way to get around.
Save big on things!
New York City coupons and discounts are available for almost everything one can do or make plans in NYC (except for a few exclusive events). This time of the year will be expensive but you can save big on tours, shows and other attractions. Don’t forget to include Elf The Musical, The Big Apple Circus, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, museums, and lots more.
Are we missing something?
Celebrating the holidays in New York City can be like a dream come true. Though you are busy in the city, do visit around during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. If we have missed anything, please drop us an email and give us your feedback. Also, note that some activity details and events listed above can be affected due to COVID but as of now, everything is scheduled as planned. It's 2021 and you are in one of the greatest cities in the world; celebrate like an animal. Get ready for a wonderful time of the year and welcome in 2022 with the best local events in New York. Get into the spirit and when you visit the holiday markets, shop for great gifts and create memories with your friends and family.
So, are you ready to explore and make plans in NYC? Have a great holiday and do leave a comment expressing your unique holiday story!!
À Bientôt :)
