2025 NYC Holiday Lights and Christmas Activities

The holiday season is here and nothing says it better than the incredible holiday light displays in New York City!  Perfect fun for kids of all ages. The lights of Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue, Central Park, Times Square and downtown NYC shine bright this year. Look for beautifully decorated buildings, department store windows adorned with Christmas scenery, zoos transformed at night with lights, botanical gardens glowing, light show drive-thrus and more! Please check dates and times before you head out, as they are subject to change. See NJ Kids Calendar for more events.

Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo

Now through January 4, 2026. Discover the wonder of holiday lights at the Bronx Zoo. Walk along lantern trails and see animal themed displays, animated lights shows, holiday treats, costumed characters, Holiday Tree Show, performances, and more!  Enjoy a magical night with the wonder of LED technology. Hundreds of colorful designs and displays will light your way throughout the park. Must reserve tickets in advance. Note: Sensory Friendly Nights December 4, 2025. 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York, 718.220.5100

NYBG Holiday Train Show

Select dates through January 11, 2026. Enjoy a winter wonderland at the New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show. The conservatory comes alive with the sounds of locomotives and trains. The colorful lights and holiday spirit will surely delight the whole family. Not to be missed, so buy your tickets online. 2900 Southern Blvd Bronx, NY.

Macy's Holiday Window Displays

Through first week January 2026. Macy's Herald Square holiday window displays featuring the theme of "The Most Wonderful Stories Start Here". These designs celebrate Macy's holiday history. 34th Street and Broadway, New York City.

Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows

On view through January 5, 2026. Enjoy iconic fifth avenue holiday window displays at Bergdorf Goodman. Seven beautifully decorated windows and magical to see. 57th & 58th Streets at 5th Ave in NYC.

Bloomingdale’s Holiday Window Display

Open now for the holiday season. Head on over to Bloomingdale's to see "Happy Together" themed window displays and experience the joy of shared moments. Lexington Ave & 59th Street in New York City.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Display

Now through early January 2026, the Saks Fifth Avenue window displays will celebrate light and sound showing New York City with displays from luxury designers. 611 Fifth Ave, New York, NY.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Bryant Park is transformed into a Winter Village with outdoor ice-skating through the end of February 2026. Explore holiday shops and eateries. View the 45 feet tall Christmas Tree decorated with over 12,000 lights. 40th @Fifth Ave, NYC.

Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah Lighting

December 14-21, 2025. Celebrate the lighting of each day of Chanukah at the largest menorah in Brooklyn at the Grand Army Plaza. Kickoff concert held December 14, 2025 at 4pm.

Central Park’s Charles A. Dana Discovery Center Holiday Lights

The Annual Central Park Lighting will take place December 4, 2025 from 5:30pm-8:30pm. See dazzling lights and sparkling Christmas trees. The lights will remain lit during the holiday season. Harlem Meer at the North end of Central Park.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lights

Daily 5AM-Midnight until mid-January 2026. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours. The tree lighting ceremony is held on December 3rd. See the beautiful Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lit up with lights and a Swarovski star adorning the top. The tree is on display on the plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues in NYC, rockefellercenter.com

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Open now through March 2026. Take the kids ice skating under the Tree at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. It’s truly a unique New York experience for all ages! Located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY.

LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park

Now through January 1, 2026. An outdoors experience where you become immersed in a wonderland of lights. A family friendly event so get ready to light the night with LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park. Art and color come to alive through remarkable light displays, exhibits, and activities. Buy tickets in advance. 1899 Park Blvd, East Meadow, NY.

Magic of Lights Jones Beach State Park

Now through January 3, 2026. Family friendly drive-thru Holiday Light experience at Jones Beach. Start off on a 2 mile course and see over 40 holiday scenes of LED light displays. Featuring The North Pole, candy canes, a Victorian Village, elves, Santa, toy land, and more! Don’t forget to visit the Snow Dogs. Buy tickets in advance. 895 Bay Parkway Jones Beach, NY.

Read Guide to Christmas Attractions in NJ
Read Guide to Christmas Attractions in PA
Read Best Holiday Lights Drive-thrus
Read more at NJ Kids