Christmas in New York City is truly a magical thing. During the holiday season, this grand city celebrates in grand style. Skyscrapers are illuminated in holiday hues, department store window displays dazzle the masses, and numerous Christmas-based events add their own appeal. It all gets under way with the lighting of the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in late November, and if you can't make it to the original lighting ceremony, you can hope to catch a live or taped performance on TV. You can also check out the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree at another time. It is illuminated on a daily basis until the start of the New Year.

While visiting Rockefeller Center during the holiday season, checking out the large Christmas tree isn't the only thing that you can do. Skating on the ice rink is also a popular endeavor. The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center has been a holiday season establishment since Christmas Day in 1936. Every year, it remains open from October to April, though the Christmas season is when it tends to be at its busiest.

Seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is another popular thing to do when visiting New York City during the 2023 holiday season. This annual show has been going strong for more than 75 years, and anyone who can't make it to New York to see the extravaganza can attempt to secure tickets for one of the traveling shows. As for the shows that are held in New York City, there are special vacation packages that include tickets, so you might go that route when trying to plan things out.

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Many Broadway shows carry a Christmas theme during the holiday season, and New York City visitors can also hope to catch any other number of fun holiday events. Other options for things to do when it's Christmas in New York are take a holiday lights tour, enjoy a relaxing holiday cruise, see the lights display at the Bronx Zoo, or do some shopping.

Shopping in New York City during the holiday season, it should be noted, is about as good as shopping gets anywhere. The sales are abundant, and just seeing all the stores decked out in seasonal accents is a joy all its own. As for the renowned department store window displays, the best are found in Midtown Manhattan near Rockefeller Center. The Lord & Taylor displays and the displays at Saks Fifth Avenue are among the most popular, and as such, waiting in line to see them is a common thing.

These are among the main highlights of spending Christmas 2023 in New York, and it only gets better when you consider all the great attractions that can be enjoyed on the side. Many NYC vacation packages caters to people who want to visit during the holiday season. In addition to show tickets, the Christmas in New York vacation packages can include a room at one of the city's many fine hotels, a tour or two, the chance to eat breakfast with Santa, and free admission to popular attractions like the Empire State Building .