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Poster: Christmas in New York City
Christmas season in New York

Christmas in New York City

Three days of windows, lights and skating, timed around the crowds

⏳ In 32 days · Dec 1, 2026 Remind me
  • The plan: Dec 18 – 203 days around Christmas season in New York
  • New York City20 places
  • Facts checked Oct 29, 20262 sources, listed below
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Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refundDay 1 free below

Catch a Broadway show, browse the holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, and see the Rockefeller tree lit at night. Theater, shopping and skyline views fill three easy days.

🎭 Broadway🎄 Holiday🛍 Shopping🍝 Food🏙 Skyline

Day 1 is on us

3 days · 20 stops

What it's like in DecemberExpect highs near 6.6°C (44°F) and lows around -0.7°C (31°F). Bring a warm coat and pack an umbrella for about 10 rainy days.

Day 1 · Fri, Dec 18 · Free

Hell's Kitchen and a Broadway night

8 h 16 min

Thai noodles, TKTS tickets, then Wicked at 8 PM

Arrive and drop bags at your Midtown hotel. Keeps the theater, tree and windows within walking distance all trip.

Pure Thai Cookhouse

1:15 PM · 1 h 15 min

Pure Thai Cookhouse

Thai restaurant

Braised beef rib noodle soup, a warming welcome west of the crowds.

4.6(3,178)Google$$
11 min
TKTS Times Square

3:00 PM · 45 min

TKTS Times Square

Store

Opens 3 PM Fridays with 20-50% off same-day seats.

4.5(3,616)Google$$
9 min
Restaurant Row

4:00 PM · 1 h

Restaurant Row

Food court

Classic theater-district facades on 46th between 8th and 9th.

4.7(122)Googlefree
2 min
Becco

5:30 PM · 1 h 15 min

Becco

Italian restaurant

All-you-can-eat Sinfonia di Paste, built for curtain times.

4.3(4,690)Google$$
9 min
Winter Garden Theatre

8:00 PM · 2 h 30 min

Winter Garden Theatre

Performing arts theater

Holiday-season blockbuster; the trip's centerpiece, with the Theater District glowing outside.

4.8(5,858)Google$$$
Day 1 in Google Maps
Map of New York in December: Broadway, Windows and Midnight Lights: Day 1, Pure Thai Cookhouse, TKTS Times Square, Restaurant Row, Becco, Winter Garden Theatre

The rest of the plan

14 stops

Day 2 · Sat, Dec 19

Winter Village, windows and the midnight tree

8 stops · Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center

Day 3 · Sun, Dec 20

Grand Central, Herald Square and the skyline

6 stops · Midtown East, Herald Square

Sally the balloon

Get all 3 days

Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until Dec 1.

  • 3-day plan with the best windows and lights
  • When to go to beat the crowds
  • Offline maps in the app
  • Free updates through New Year
Get the plan · $5

Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refund

Good to know

  • The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit on Wednesday, December 2, 2026timeout.com · checked Oct 29, 2026
  • Bryant Park Winter Village runs October 28, 2026 to February 28, 2027; skating is free (bring or rent skates)timeout.com · checked Oct 29, 2026

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Pure Thai Cookhouse
Photo: Pure Thai Cookhouse / Google
Pure Thai Cookhouse
Photo: kwaku oben / Google
Pure Thai Cookhouse
Photo: Pure Thai Cookhouse / Google
Pure Thai Cookhouse
Photo: kwaku oben / Google
Pure Thai Cookhouse
Photo: Lisa Williams / Google

Pure Thai Cookhouse

Thai restaurant
4.6(3,178)Google New York 1 h 15 min
Website Google Google Maps
ThaiLunchCasual

Braised beef rib noodle soup, a warming welcome west of the crowds.

Pure Thai Cookhouse serves warm, well-spiced noodle dishes, a good easy lunch before an afternoon of theater district walking.

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: No reservations, so put your name on the door list on arrival.

Hours

  • Mon–Thu: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Fri–Sat: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Sun: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Contact and location

766 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA

Call Directions
TKTS Times Square
Photo: Patrick McGivern / Google
TKTS Times Square
Photo: TKTS Times Square / Google
TKTS Times Square
Photo: TKTS Times Square / Google
TKTS Times Square
Photo: Nrupesh NYC / Google
TKTS Times Square
Photo: Shihyuan Chao / Google

TKTS Times Square

Store
4.5(3,616)Google New York 45 min
Website Google Google Maps
TicketsDiscountsBroadway

Opens 3 PM Fridays with 20-50% off same-day seats.

TKTS Times Square sells same-day discounted Broadway tickets. Check the board in the afternoon for seats to Friday's show.

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: If your seats are already booked, climb the Red Steps for the Times Square glow.

Hours

  • Mon–Tue: 3:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Wed–Thu: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Fri: 3:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Sat: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sun: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Contact and location

Broadway at, W 47th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Call Directions
Restaurant Row
Photo: Merlin / Google
Restaurant Row
Photo: Maria Davis / Google
Restaurant Row
Photo: Kim M / Google
Restaurant Row
Photo: Joseph Hammack / Google
Restaurant Row
Photo: Vivian Greaves / Google

Restaurant Row

Food court
4.7(122)Google New York 1 h
Website Google Google Maps
TheaterWalkHistory

Classic theater-district facades on 46th between 8th and 9th.

Restaurant Row is the short stretch of West 46th Street lined with old theaters and show posters. It is a pleasant stroll before the evening curtain.

Sally's tips

  • Hidden Gem: Look for the vintage playbill displays in restaurant windows.

Hours

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tue–Sun: Open 24 hours

Contact and location

374 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Directions
Becco
Photo: Becco / Google
Becco
Photo: Photos are copyrighted by their owners / Google
Becco
Photo: Mai / Google
Becco
Photo: Elwood J / Google
Becco
Photo: Manja Petrov / Google

Becco

Italian restaurant
4.3(4,690)Google New York 1 h 15 min
Website Google Google Maps
ItalianTheater DistrictPrix fixe

All-you-can-eat Sinfonia di Paste, built for curtain times.

Becco serves generous Italian plates in the Theater District, with a well-known unlimited pasta option. Convenient before or after a show nearby.

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Tell your server your curtain time on seating.
  • Hidden Gem: The $35-$40 wine list is one of the best deals in the district.

Hours

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tue: 4:30 – 10:00 PM
  • Wed: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 10:00 PM
  • Thu: 4:30 – 10:00 PM
  • Fri: 4:30 – 11:00 PM
  • Sat: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:00 – 11:00 PM
  • Sun: 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Contact and location

355 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Call Directions
Winter Garden Theatre
Photo: Ajay Suresh / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Winter Garden Theatre

Performing arts theater
4.8(5,858)Google New York 2 h 30 min
Website Google Google Maps
BroadwayLive showEvening

Holiday-season blockbuster; the trip's centerpiece, with the Theater District glowing outside.

Winter Garden Theatre is a classic Broadway house in Times Square. The 8 PM curtain makes for a relaxed Friday night out.

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Book weeks ahead via Telecharge, or swap in any show you land at TKTS and keep the 8 PM slot.
  • Pro Tip: Arrive 30 minutes early for security and bag checks.

Contact and location

1634 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, USA

Call Directions

3-day Christmas in NYC plan

3 days · New York City

  • 3-day plan with the best windows and lights
  • When to go to beat the crowds
  • Offline maps in the app
  • Free updates through New Year
$5One-time · 7-day refund

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