What to do in New York City in December: See a show, skate, more
Many avoided a trip into the city during the 2020 holiday season, and with good reason: the COVID-19 pandemic had shut down most seasonal attractions. And while there has been an uptick in new cases since Thanksgiving, most destinations are open with mask restrictions and vaccination requirements in place.
Before you leave home, it's wise to check the website of any venue or event to be sure of the latest guidelines and any recent changes.
If you're comfortable, here are some options to consider:
'Twas The Night Before ... Cirque de Soleil,' Dec. 9-27
Cirque du Soleil’s spin on the beloved Christmas tale is about the wonders of sharing and friendship. The production marks Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas show. Go: It will run at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden for 28 performances from Dec. 9-27. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased online at msg.com/cirque. Service charges apply to internet orders.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular, through Jan. 2
Tickets are on sale and range from $49 to $225. Ticket holders are advised to check the website for the most up-to-date COVID-19 protocols, as New York state and the music hall's policies are subject to change. Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, New York; 866-858-0007; rockettes.com/christmas.
GLOW, through Jan. 22
The New York Botanical Garden announced the return of its popular holiday light show AND the return of the Holiday Train Show, which was open only to members last season. GLOW, a walk-thru color-and-light experience in the Botanic Garden's illuminated landscape, has been expanded to 1.5 miles with added displays. Guests will also find music, dance and food options. GLOW will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. Check website for COVID restrictions, prices, times and info on special packages: nybg.org.
Holiday Train Show, through Jan. 23
To mark its 30th year, the Holiday Train Show features a showcase of New York Botanical Garden buildings and structures, including a replica of the iconic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, along with such famous New York landmarks as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and many other favorites. More than 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys hum along nearly a half-mile of track in the Holiday Train Show. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx.
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to nybg.org.
George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker,' through Jan. 2
George Balanchine’s "The Nutcracker" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center will return this year with exquisite costumes, magnificent sets, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score that transports audiences to a land of twirling snowflakes, leaping candy canes, waltzing flowers and more. For tickets and more info, go to nycballet.com
Handel's 'Messiah,' Dec. 14-18
New York Philharmonic's Handel’s "Messiah" is performed at The Riverside Church. Grammy Award-winning Baroque specialist Jeannette Sorrell conducts the Philharmonic on this holiday piece including dazzling vocal solos, instrumentals and coral writing, in the neo-Gothic Riverside Church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For tickets and more info, go to nyphil.org.
Holiday 'Show' Globes, through Dec. 26
Find these larger-than-life snow globes inspired by the designs of hit Broadway shows including "Wicked," "Ain’t Too Proud," "The Lion King" and "Dear Evan Hansen" in Times Square on the Broadway Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets.
Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights, through Jan. 9
This year’s experience will be larger than in years past and organized to accommodate social distancing. There are five geographically representative lantern safaris that include species from different regions of the world, including the new Forest of Color which features 21 lanterns. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. All guests over 3 years old are required to socially distance and wear face coverings. For a full list of COVID-19 protocols, visit bronxzoo.com
Pinkmas at the Museum of Ice Cream, through Jan. 9
Who knew there was a museum devoted to ice cream? This holiday celebration will transform its 13 multi-sensory installations into a pink winter wonderland bursting with snowflakes, candy canes and pink trees. Guests are encouraged to bring a new toy — to be donated to Toys for Tots — in exchange for one scoop of ice cream at the museum café. 558 Broadway (in SoHo). Tickets required, go to tickets.museumoficecream.com
Origami Holiday Tree
The delightfully decorated 13-foot Origami Holiday Tree, celebrating its 50th anniversary at the American Museum of Natural History, will have a Gems of the Museum theme, featuring 50 specially created gold-colored models for the “golden anniversary.” For tickets and more info, go to amnh.org
Go skating
The Rink at Rockefeller Center: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, where people can ice skate beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight. Tickets to skate the rink are on sale now and range in price from $20 to $54, changing based on time of day and the date, so it is advised to check out the website for the most accurate pricing. Lessons, memberships, and skate rentals are also available. The Rink at Rockefeller Center, between 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan; 212-771-7200; therink@rockefellercenter.com; rockefellercenter.com.
Wollman Rink NYC: Located in Central Park, public skate sessions are Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, go to wollmanrinknyc.com.
Bryant Park's Winter Village: This 17,000 square foot rink features free admission ice skating, high quality rental skates, free skating shows, and events. The Rink is open daily through March 6 but you must have a reservation. Dates roll out daily. If a date is not available more than two weeks out, it is not sold out but will open up two weeks before the date. Go to bryantpark.org
Check out the holiday windows
Macy's Herald Square, thru Jan. 1: Macy's famous holiday windows will introduce "Tiptoe," a reindeer recruit for Santa Claus as she sets out to follow her dream of joining Santa's sleigh team. With the help of her friends, Tiptoe's confidence rises and she realizes her dream, "reminding everyone to believe." Macy's Santaland returns in-person this year. Families can meet Santa Claus thru Dec. 24 by reservation only. Reservations can be made on Macy's website five days in advance at macys.com
Bloomingdale's, thru Jan. 2: For the 2021 season, Bloomingdale's windows are "inspired by the cheer and optimism" for their "Give Happy" campaign. Each of the store's six windows is inspired by nostalgia, holiday festivities and explodes with colors.
Saks Fifth Avenue, thru Jan. 4: Saks Fifth Avenue holiday window displays and 10-story light show will showcase the dreams of New York-area kids. Each holiday window display is "inspired by the theme of reconnecting with family and loved ones during the holiday season." Along with the six window displays, a light display of over 700,000 LED lights span 10-stories of the building, programmed to songs including "Christmas — Baby Please Come Home" by Darlene Love, "So Happy Together" by The Turtles, "Russian Dance" from "The Nutcracker," "Carol of the Bells," and more.
Nordstrom: Nordstom's NYC flagship store unveiled their holiday decorations, which include over 700 ornaments inspired by Scandinavia, seven 11-feet-tall Nutcrackers, 150 trees, 150 hanging snowflakes, candle wreaths and chandeliers, and much more. Along 57th Street, the shop's "waveform glass façade" is decorated with gold metallic trees wrapped in red and white lights.
Heather Clark, Karen Croke contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: What to do in NYC in December: Skate, see a show, check out lights
