NYC’s Best December Events — Holiday Markets, Ice Skating, Candlelight Concerts, & More

December in NYC may be downright freezing, but the city is heating up with festive things to do –with holiday lights, pop-up markets, ice rinks, and year-end events taking over every corner. From beloved traditions to brand-new experiences, there are endless ways to make the most of the month before the ball drops. To help you plan it all, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do in NYC this December, so you can pack your calendar with only the must-hit events. Find the best gifts for your loved ones at a holiday market ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gifts are just better when they’re homemade –but if you’re not exactly the crafty type, nobody ever said you can’t gift a loved one something that was made by someone else. NYC is full of some of the best holiday markets around, featuring local artisans with tables full of creative offerings. Must-visit markets include: * ❄️ The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park * ❄️ The Church of Sweden Holiday Market * ❄️ Holiday Bazaar at Grand Central Find all our favorite ones. See a romantic candlelit concert at QC Spa New York ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The QC Spa New York on Governors Island, known for its luxurious outdoor saunas, heated pools, and stunning views of Manhattan, is hosting intimate Candlelight Concerts this winter. Imagine sitting poolside, surrounded by hundreds of candles, while listening to some of New York’s best musicians. At QC Spa, you’ll feel as if you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle as you tuck yourself into your own pocket of tranquility. Let the flickering candlelight and gentle music wash over you during this relaxing winter escape. Book your tickets for December or January now! Write your 2026 wishes on confetti that will flutter down over Times Square this New Year’s Eve --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This December, Times Square is once again unveiling its New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall, where you can jot down your hopes for 2026 on the same confetti that will flutter down over the crowd at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each wishcollected before December 29 via the in-person Wishing Wall or submitted online will be printed out for the 2026 New Year’s Eve festivities. Read more about the beloved tradition. Witness the return of an award-winning show ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The*25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee * is officially back in NYC! Based on the book by Tony Award® winner Rachel Sheinkin with music and lyrics by Tony Award® winner William Finn, it’sa night out you don’t want to miss in the Big Apple . A few lucky audience members are even invited to bevolunteer spellers , joining theall-star cast on stage to participate in the Bee! Can you spell “must-see”? Get tickets for this exciting revival! Lace up your skates at one of NYC’s beloved ice skating rinks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ‘Tis the season for triple axels and quadruple jumps...or just trying your hardest not to fall on your butt! There are tons of fun ways to celebrate the temperature drop in NYC, but one of our favorites is by lacing up our skates. From classics to newcomers, these are the best ice skating rinks in NYC. A quick glance at some of our favs include: * ⛸️ Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park * ⛸️ SKATE at Domino Park * ⛸️ The Rink at Rockefeller Center Secure your spot at the Museum of Natural History’sbeloved sleepovers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Following a sold-out 2025 run, ***A Night at the Museum: The Overnight Experience* is officially back for 2026 with even more to discover after dark! The event is one of NYC’s most enchanting family traditions, inviting New Yorkers to to roll out their sleeping bags and experience the museum in a way few ever do. Tickets go on sale December 3rd for members and December 10th for the general public–[get all the details here.](https://secretnyc.co/a-night-at-the-museum-overnight-experience-sleepovers-amnh-2026/) Be swept away by music at a dreamy [Candlelight Concert](https://feverup.com/en/new-york/candlelight-christmas-concerts) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Imagine this: a string ensemble, your favorite songs, a gorgeous setting, and, of course, thousands of glowing candles. That’s the magic of a Candlelight Concert. And this December, there are plenty of Christmas-themed concerts to truly get you in the holiday spirit! [Grab your tickets today.](https://feverup.com/en/new-york/candlelight-christmas-concerts) Experience the Magical [Holiday Train Nights at NYBG](https://feverup.com/m/453578) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The popular [Holiday Train Nights at the New York Botanical Garden](https://secretnyc.co/holiday-train-nights-nybg/) have returned, offering a unique opportunity to see the famous model trains after dark inside the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. More than 25 incredible model trains and trolleys will be moving through nearly 200 twinkling replicas of NYC landmarks, including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Plus, guests can enjoy festive sweet and savory bites. [Secure your spot](https://feverup.com/m/453578) to enjoy this enchanting experience. Marvel at the[final full moon of 2025](https://secretnyc.co/final-full-moon-2025-cold-supermoon/), which will be a dazzling December supermoon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your puffer coat–the final full moon of 2025 is set to light up NYC’s night sky in a grand display of celestial wonder on Tuesday, December 4th, and this year, it’s a dazzling supermoon. This means it’ll appear bigger and brighter than a typical full moon. [Read all about it.](https://secretnyc.co/final-full-moon-2025-cold-supermoon/) Enjoy NYC’s best chefs — all in the name of a good cause -------------------------------------------------------- This Giving Tuesday (December 2nd), you can feast on dishes from NYC’s best chefs while simultaneously giving back. Talk about a win-win! Head to The Refinery at Domino (300 Kent Ave.) at 7pm for Skylight Presents: A Culinary Celebration for Jacques Pépin. Whether it’s a French-inspired dish from Chef Aidan O’Neal of Le Crocodile or a hearty bowl of pasta from Chef Sal Lamboglia of Cafe Spaghetti, you’re certainly not leaving the gathering hungry. Over 20 participants from eateries across the city are on hand to make the evening special. What’s more, the celebration will raise funds for the Jacques Pépin Foundation, which supports its community kitchen programs and educational videos. For a seat at the table and to lend a hand in this great cause, [ book a spot online](https://givebutter.com/c/Skylight_JPF9090%20). Ice skate with a life-sized menorah at [Chanukah on Ice NYC](https://secretnyc.co/chanukah-on-ice-nyc-2025/) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chanukah on Ice NYC returns to Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.Each winter, the event draws hundreds of families to celebrate Jewish pride, complete with festive Chanukah tunes, kosher treats, and the lighting of a giant ice Menorah. [See this year’s details.](https://secretnyc.co/chanukah-on-ice-nyc-2025/) Frolic through a car-free Fifth Ave during [Holiday Open Streets](https://secretnyc.co/fifth-avenue-holiday-open-street/) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For only day only this December, NYC’s most festive block will go car-free, giving New Yorkers the chance to frolic around without looking both ways! On Sunday, December 14th,the street will celebrate with spectacular lights, holiday decor, live entertainment, food and beverage, and one-of-a-kind brand activations. [Learn more.](https://secretnyc.co/fifth-avenue-holiday-open-street/) See over 1 million dazzling lights at [Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Lightscape](https://feverup.com/m/487901) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Lightscape](https://secretnyc.co/lightscape-brooklyn-botanic-garden-nyc/) returns to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden once again this season, illuminating the holiday season with over one million dazzling lights. This enchanting after-dark trail features brilliant water features, colorful effects projected onto the trees, and stunning light sculptures. Guests can also enjoy food and drinks along the trail, with new additions this year. [Grab your tickets.](https://feverup.com/m/487901) Marvel at all of NYC’s festive [Christmas trees](https://secretnyc.co/christmas-tree-lightings-nyc-2025/) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Though the [Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree](https://secretnyc.co/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting-2025-guide/) is the crown jewel of Christmas in New York City, there are plenty more spruces glittering all across the city**–and they’re all beautiful in their own way! Some standouts include: * 🎄 Bryant Park Christmas tree * 🎄 Washington Square Park Christmas tree * 🎄 Lotte New York Palace Christmas tree Here’s the full list. Dress up as Santa and bar hop around NYC during SantaCon --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whether you like it or not, onSaturday, December 13th NYC will be swarmed with tipsy Santas, rogue elves, and candy-cane-clad bar crawlers galavanting around NYC in an all-day drinking spectacle. Wherever you land on the SantaCon spectrum–eager participant or eye-rolling avoider–here’s everything you need to know this year. Cozy up with a steamy mug of hot cocoa ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry, coffee, but our **favorite wintertime sip will *always* be hot chocolate. Fortunately, NYC is home to plenty of spots that take cocoa to the next level–think: floral marshmallows, boozy twists, and blow torched finishes. Prefer a classic take? Don’t fret, you can find that in NYC too–these are [our favorite spots.](https://secretnyc.co/best-hot-chocolates-nyc-keep-cozy/) ...Or slurp on one of NYC’s best bowls of [ramen](https://secretnyc.co/best-ramen-new-york-city/) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When hot chocolate just won’t cut it, ramen is obviously the next best way to warm up on a cold winter’s day. From vegetarian options to “triple pork” bowls,** some of our favorite spots include: * Chuko, Prospect Heights * HinoMaru, Astoria * Ippudo, East Village Here’s our full list. Attend the one-day-only Winter Wonder at Queens Botanical Garden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Sunday, December 7th, this all-ages event will reflect the diversity of the “world’s borough” and provide the perfect holiday vibe without the chaos. They’re going all out with a huge tree lighting, live music, crafts, and tons of festive food. Grab your tickets and prepare to get in the spirit with seasonal delicacies, shopping for unique gifts at the QBG Shop, and beautiful photo-ops. Explore all of NYC’s new openings --------------------------------- New York City is always keeping us entertained. One of our favorite ways: offering us an endless stream of newly opened restaurants, bars, wellness studios, and everything in between to explore! Here are some of our fav new openings: * 🥟 [Hue House](https://secretnyc.co/four-story-asian-cultural-hub-hue-house-nyc/) – a new 4-story Asian cultural hub with Taiwanese food, vinyl-fueled cocktails, curated retail, and a wellness studio * 🍜 [Godunk](https://secretnyc.co/godunk-thai-street-food-nyc/) – authentic Thai street food from a Michelin-awarded chef * 🍣 [Muku](https://secretnyc.co/fastest-michelin-star-in-nyc-history-2025-muku/) – a new 10-seat Japanese kaiseki counter that become the fastest restaurant in documented NYC history to land a Michelin star Work up a sweat on a magical winter hike ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Though hiking is typically viewed as warm weather activity, a light snowfall can turn any outdoor stroll into “walking in a winter wonderland” in no time. Plus, once we enter hibernating season, we’ll take any chance we can get to escape cabin fever in our apartment and enjoy some nature. These are our favorite winter hikes in and around NYC. Travel back 66 million years at AMNH’s newest dino exhibit ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ American Museum of Natural History’snewest exhibit,*Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs, *explores the major asteroid impact 66 million years ago that reshaped life on Earth, as well as the period of renewal that followed. Visitors will get an up-close look at fossils and fossil casts, immersive animations, life-sized models, dramatic dioramas, and more–our favorite part: the 18-foot-long Triceratops and 27-foot-long Mosasaur! Read all about it. Listen to your favorite pop songs with a Broadway twist ------------------------------------------------------- Broadway Sings takes top theater acts backed by an orchestra for an epic concert series, allowing guests to hear all their favorite artists and songs with a Broadway twist! Some shows we’re currently eyeing include: * 🎶 Taylor Swift * 🎶 Sabrina Carpenter Escape the city for a bit & head to one of our favorite getaways ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Look, we love New York City, but sometimes we just, like, need a break... Thankfully, when those feelings arise, we’re lucky to have plenty of getaways not too far where we can escape the city’s hustle and bustle for some well-deserved R&R. Some of our favorite getaways include: * 🌊 This Adirondack Gem With Glassy Lakes, A Thriving Art Scene, & A 125-Year-Old Ice Palace–Recently Named New York’s ‘Most Captivating’ Small Town * 🇨🇭 America’s ‘Little Switzerland’ Just 2 Hours From NYC — With Fairytale Streets, A Vintage Train, & Alpine Charm * ✨ This Historic Upstate NY Main Street With Victorian Architecture & Charming Boutiques Source: https://secretnyc.co/things-to-do-in-december-in-nyc-2025/