Last updated: November 11, 2024
Discover holiday wonders in The Bronx with our detailed event listings. Whether you call The Bronx home or are just passing through, this guide unlocks the city's seasonal secrets.
One highlight of the holiday season is the dazzling display at the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, where homes transform into a winter wonderland of lights and decorations. Another festive attraction, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, features dazzling performances by the famous Rockettes, captivating audiences with its stunning choreography and elaborate sets. And the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it stands tall amidst the bustling holiday atmosphere. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Bronx Holiday Light Displays
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
- What to Expect
- Wildlife-themed lantern trails and interactive light displays.
- Description
- The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights features millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns across seven trails, showcasing nearly 100 animal and plant species. Interactive experiences include glowing walls, illuminated trees, and seasonal treats. The event also includes family-friendly entertainment, such as holiday train rides and nightly ice carving demonstrations.
- Where
- Bronx | More Info : Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- What to Expect
- A 900-pound Swarovski crystal star featuring 3 million crystals.
- Description
- The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a towering Norway spruce adorned with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. This iconic symbol of the holiday season stands at 80 feet tall and is meticulously decorated each year, attracting millions of visitors.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
- What to Expect
- Guided walking tour through the most celebrated homes in Dyker Heights.
- Description
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights features spectacularly decorated homes in Brooklyn, showcasing elaborate holiday displays and traditions.
- Where
- Brooklyn | More Info : Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Lincoln Square Magical Lights
- What to Expect
- Interactive light display responding to public participation.
- Description
- Lincoln Square Magical Lights features eight giant London Plane trees adorned with hundreds of strands of hanging light vines that react to the public by twinkling to the rhythm of Lincoln Square’s beat and NYC’s soundscape. The event includes SING-ALONGs with holiday classics and contemporary favorites.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Lincoln Square Magical Lights
Grand Holiday Illumination - Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
- What to Expect
- Spectacular lighting of the Walled Garden with diverse holiday music.
- Description
- The Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens Conservancy features over 100,000 lights illuminating the Walled Garden, accompanied by holiday music from various traditions.
- Where
- Yonkers | More Info : Grand Holiday Illumination - Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Winter Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm Museum
- What to Expect
- Interactive illuminated features and hand-crafted Chinese lanterns.
- Description
- The Winter Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm Museum features over 1500 lights and 80 hand-crafted Chinese lanterns, creating an immersive experience with interactive illuminated tunnels, swings, and see-saws. Visitors can explore new features like the Bounce House and Sugar Paintings, all set amidst 6 acres of historic farmland.
- Where
- Queens | More Info : Winter Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm Museum
The Bronx Holiday Markets and Shopping
The Winter Village at Bryant Park
- What to Expect
- NYC's largest free-admission ice skating rink.
- Description
- The Winter Village at Bryant Park offers free-admission ice skating, over 180 holiday shops, and cozy igloos. It's a premier destination for holiday shopping and festive activities in New York City.
- Where
- New York | More Info : The Winter Village at Bryant Park
New York City holiday markets
- What to Expect
- European-inspired open-air market with custom-designed kiosks.
- Description
- New York City holiday markets offer a diverse array of local crafts, artisan provisions, and exquisite gifts from around the world. Located in iconic public spaces like Union Square and Bryant Park, these markets provide a unique shopping experience with over 200 vendors and 180 holiday shops.
- Where
- New York | More Info : New York City holiday markets
The Bronx Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
- What to Expect
- Synchronized precision dancing by the Radio City Rockettes.
- Description
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a classic holiday performance featuring the Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. The show includes intricate choreography, festive dance, music, and comedy, blending classic numbers with innovative technology.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Radio City Christmas Spectacular
New York Botanical Garden holiday train show
- What to Expect
- Miniature cityscape made from plant parts with G-scale model trains.
- Description
- The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show features G-scale model trains navigating a meticulously crafted miniature cityscape made from plant parts, including iconic New York landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. The event includes both daytime and nighttime displays, with special Holiday Train Nights offering beautifully lit Conservatory scenes and festive food options.
- Where
- Bronx | More Info : New York Botanical Garden holiday train show
Amateur Night’s holiday special at the Apollo
- What to Expect
- Interactive talent competition with a festive pre-party.
- Description
- Amateur Night at the Apollo features talented young performers, alumni of the "Stars of Tomorrow" segment, in a classic talent competition. Hosted by comedian Capone, the show includes a festive pre-party with DJ Jess and Set It Off Man Greginald Spencer. The resident Executioner, C.P. Lacey, sweeps bad talent off the stage.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Amateur Night’s holiday special at the Apollo
See "The Nutcracker" by The New York City Ballet
- What to Expect
- Elaborate sets and costumes in a classic ballet performance.
- Description
- Witness the timeless ballet "The Nutcracker" by The New York City Ballet, featuring Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky's transcendent melodies and George Balanchine's exquisite choreography. The production includes awe-inspiring special effects, dazzling sets, and sumptuous costumes, bringing to life the tale of young Marie as she encounters the fearsome Mouse King and the blustery blizzard of ballerinas before arriving in the delectable Land of Sweets.
- Where
- New York | More Info : See "The Nutcracker" by The New York City Ballet
The Bronx Other Holiday Activities
Wollman skating rink in Central Park
- What to Expect
- Iconic ice skating experience with diverse events and live performances.
- Description
- Wollman Rink in Central Park offers a quintessential New York winter experience with ice skating, breathtaking city skyline views, and a welcoming environment for all ages and skill levels. The rink hosts special events, themed skating nights, and live performances, making it a hub of wintertime activity.
- Where
- New York | More Info : Wollman skating rink in Central Park
GingerBread Lane at Chelsea Market
- What to Expect
- World's largest gingerbread village with NYC-inspired designs.
- Description
- Jon Lovitch's Guinness World Record-winning GingerBread Lane features over 1,000 intricately crafted gingerbread structures inspired by New York City's picturesque streets, showcasing houses, pizzerias, and ice-cream parlors.
- Where
- New York | More Info : GingerBread Lane at Chelsea Market
Holiday Classic Mansion Tours at Lyndhurst
- What to Expect
- Rarely-seen items from Lyndhurst's former owners on display.
- Description
- Explore Lyndhurst mansion during the holiday season, featuring elaborate decorations, rare items, and a one-hour tour of the main two floors.
- Where
- Tarrytown | More Info : Holiday Classic Mansion Tours at Lyndhurst
Holiday Stroll Open House - Keeler Tavern Museum
- What to Expect
- Interactive period room exploration with costumed interpreters.
- Description
- Explore the centuries-old Keeler Tavern Museum during the Holiday Stroll Open House. Costumed interpreters will share stories about former residents, and fun activities like a partridge scavenger hunt and take-home crafts will engage younger visitors as they navigate period rooms reflecting historic traditions from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
- Where
- Ridgefield | More Info : Holiday Stroll Open House - Keeler Tavern Museum