Last updated: November 11, 2024
Plan your festive adventure in Jackson Heights with our ultimate event guide. Whether you've lived in Jackson Heights for years or just for the holidays, this guide maximizes your festive experience.
One of the highlights of the season is the dazzling Radio City Christmas Spectacular, where the Rockettes perform their iconic dance numbers, bringing a unique charm to the holidays. In addition, the Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights showcases elaborate displays and magnificent decorations that transform the neighborhood into a winter wonderland. And the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its breathtaking height and stunning ornaments lighting up the iconic plaza. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Jackson Heights Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday light displays in a Brooklyn neighborhood.
- Description
- Explore the world-famous Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, known for its extravagant and over-the-top Christmas light displays. The tour includes a bus ride from Manhattan to Dyker Heights, followed by a guided walking tour of the most celebrated homes, showcasing elaborate decorations and holiday traditions.
- Where
- Brooklyn | More Info : Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- What to Expect
- Iconic Christmas tree with elaborate lighting and decorations.
- Description
- The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a towering Norway spruce decorated with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star. It stands as a symbol of the holiday season in New York City, attracting millions of visitors each year.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
- What to Expect
- Elaborate home decorations with unique themes.
- Description
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights is a renowned holiday attraction in Brooklyn, featuring elaborately decorated homes with unique themes, creating a spectacular display of holiday cheer.
- Where
- Brooklyn | More Info : Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Hudson Yards Holiday Lights
- What to Expect
- Spectacular light display with interactive experiences.
- Description
- Hudson Yards features over 2 million twinkling lights, festive ice-skating at Edge, and photo opportunities with Santa amidst a backdrop of luxury shopping and dining.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Hudson Yards Holiday Lights
Christmas Horse Carriage Ride
- What to Expect
- Socially-distanced, open-air ride with stringent sanitary measures.
- Description
- Embark on a 50-minute horse-drawn carriage ride through New York City's most beautifully illuminated holiday displays, including Fifth Avenue's iconic shops and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Christmas Horse Carriage Ride
Citi Field Holiday Lights
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday light display with interactive worlds and live performances.
- Description
- At Citi Field, immerse yourself in a spectacular holiday light display featuring five interactive worlds, lovable characters, and live performances. Explore themed areas like the North Pole and Land of Sweets, enjoy culinary treats, and experience the magic of twinkling lights.
- Where
- Queens | More Info : Citi Field Holiday Lights
Amaze Light Festival
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experience with interactive themed worlds and lovable characters.
- Description
- Amaze Light Festival is an immersive holiday experience featuring millions of twinkling lights, themed worlds, and interactive activities. Meet lovable characters Zing and Sparky, enjoy savory and sweet culinary treats, and explore the holiday market. Zip down Zing's icy Thrill Hill, take a train ride, and make traditions that last a lifetime.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Amaze Light Festival
Jackson Heights Holiday Markets and Shopping
Bryant Park Winter Village
- What to Expect
- NYC's largest free-admission ice skating rink with diverse holiday activities.
- Description
- Bryant Park Winter Village features a 17,000 square foot ice skating rink with free admission, high-quality rental skates, and free skating shows. The event also includes over 180 holiday shops, The Lodge for festive eats and drinks, and cozy igloos for a unique experience.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Bryant Park Winter Village
Union Square Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Largest holiday market in NYC with 150 vendors.
- Description
- The Union Square Holiday Market is a premier holiday destination in New York City, featuring the city's largest Greenmarket and 150 vendors offering unique gifts and local products. The market is surrounded by award-winning restaurants and retailers, providing a variety of dining and shopping experiences.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Union Square Christmas Market
Jackson Heights Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
- What to Expect
- High-kicking precision dance routines by the Radio City Rockettes.
- Description
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a classic holiday show featuring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. The event includes iconic dance routines, high-kicking precision, and memorable performances like "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "The Living Nativity." It is a heartwarming celebration of the holiday season with dazzling set designs and special effects.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Holiday Yacht Cruises
- What to Expect
- Live holiday music and complimentary hot cocoa.
- Description
- Embark on a festive holiday cruise in New York City aboard classic, climate-controlled yachts. Enjoy stunning skyline views, live holiday music, and complimentary drinks including hot cocoa, beer, wine, and champagne. The yachts are decorated with holiday decor, garland, and poinsettias, creating a cozy and memorable experience.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Holiday Yacht Cruises
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a renowned ballet production featuring Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, intricate sets, and exquisite choreography. The ballet follows young Marie as she navigates a battle between toy soldiers and mischievous mice, culminating in a journey to the delectable Land of Sweets. The production is characterized by its elaborate costumes and awe-inspiring special effects, including a one-ton Christmas tree.
- Where
- New York | More Info : George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Broadway Holiday Shows
- What to Expect
- High-energy dance performances by the legendary Rockettes.
- Description
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a holiday show featuring the world-famous Rockettes, blending iconic moments with breathtaking technology. The show includes aerialists, synchronized dance sequences, and heartwarming tunes, telling the story of two brothers searching for a Christmas gift for their sister.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Broadway Holiday Shows
Festive Dinner Cruise
- What to Expect
- Holiday-themed dinner cruise with live music and warm cocoa.
- Description
- Savor the flavors of the season on a Holiday Dinner Cruise in New York City, where classic holiday tunes and warm cocoa create a cozy atmosphere. Enjoy stunning views of the Manhattan skyline while indulging in a delicious plated dinner.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Festive Dinner Cruise
Jackson Heights Other Holiday Activities
Rockefeller Center ice skating
- What to Expect
- Iconic ice skating under the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
- Description
- Ice skating at Rockefeller Center offers a quintessential winter experience under the iconic Christmas Tree, with 60-minute sessions available for general admission and extended skate times for premium packages.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Rockefeller Center ice skating
Central Park Ice Skating
- What to Expect
- Iconic outdoor ice skating in Central Park.
- Description
- Central Park Ice Skating offers a quintessential New York winter experience, where skaters of all ages can glide across the ice surrounded by breathtaking scenery and crisp air.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Central Park Ice Skating
Central Park Sledding
- What to Expect
- Steepest slopes in Central Park.
- Description
- Central Park offers two popular sledding spots: Pilgrim Hill, known for its steep slopes, and Cedar Hill, which has separate areas for younger and more adventurous sledders.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Central Park Sledding
Santacon
- What to Expect
- Full-head-to-toe holiday-themed costumes and charitable donations.
- Description
- SantaCon is a charitable, non-political, nonsensical Santa Claus convention that happens once a year to fund art and spread absurdist joy. Participants dress in full holiday-themed costumes, donate to charity, and engage in a massive pub crawl across various bars in New York City.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Santacon