The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Holiday fun in the big apple
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Manhattan.
The windows at Macy’s are decorated with toys galore. Trees have sprung up everywhere: Rockefeller Center, Washington Square Park, even the doldrums of Penn Station. And good luck getting across Midtown without hearing a carol or two. This is when New York shines brightest, and when there are endless opportunities for fun. I can’t wait to put on my reindeer antlers and go out there to explore it all.
Let’s kick off the festive season this week with a list of my favorite December traditions in the city, from food to eat to lights to view. There’s something for even the biggest grinches, I promise. So come on: we’re going for a sleigh ride!
For those who don’t mind the cold…
I’m a sucker for a good light show, and every year the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens delivers. Lightscape is an after-dark art exhibit that illuminates the grounds with stunning installations that change annually. Take a friend, buy a hot cocoa, and have a stroll through the beautiful displays. Bookend the night with a meal at nearby Burmese delight Rangoon.
If locomotives are more your speed, hop over to the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. This exhibit features model trains rolling through miniature replicas of city monuments built inside the Haupt Conservatory that you can wander through with friends and family. Select evenings also feature colorful lights, Christmas tunes, and snacks galore (savory and sweet bites plus spiked seasonal beverages). All aboard!
Speaking of music, if you enjoy a good singalong, then the Cocoa and Carols Cruises will have you feeling right at home. Try a jazz brunch on one of Classic Harbor Line’s yachts, or perhaps a more traditional song rendition during the nighttime sail, where you can catch New York’s iconic landmarks twinkle in the dark sky.
For anyone shopping for the perfect present…
I love supporting local, small businesses, and one of my favorite ways to do so is shopping at the local pop-up markets. A faithful choice is the pop-up in Union Square, which I’ve been pursuing since college. I’ve found everything from handmade jewelry to clocks made out of books, plus tons of street food options to snack on if you become peckish. For the person who has everything, here you can probably find them something unexpected.
Bryant Park Winter Village—in addition to offering an ice skating rink and a curling sheet (aka a place to play the iconic Olympic sport)—has a number of vendors to explore, as well. You’ll find stations personalizing tree decorations, a candle in any scent imaginable, plus everything from vintage art to handmade chopsticks for the home. Both markets will close January 5, meaning items can sell out fast, so if you want to make sure you acquire the best selection, shop early and save yourself the heartbreak.
For those who prefer their spirits merry and bright…
Festive cocktails, unsurprisingly, speak to my soul. I am a person who has a Christmas sweater for every day of the month… So a holiday never goes by without a night out at Miracle on Ninth Street. The pop-up bar has embodied the idea of “tacky Christmas” for a decade, decking out every inch of the East Village dive bar in glitter, jingle bells, and Santa chic decor. You’ll likely be required to have a reservation, but it will be worth it to try their unique drink offerings (and maybe even take the gaudy glassware home).
No season would be complete without a shout out to the pub with the decorating mostest: Oscar Wilde. Much like Halloween, this Chelsea establishment also goes hard in December with animatronic Santa Clauses and seasonal drink specials. I’d highly recommend going for a boozy brunch before kicking off your shopping.
You can get into the spirit downtown at Jingle Jangle on the Rooftop at Pier 17. Where concerts are usually held in the summer has now shifted into ice skating, glass cottages, and a holly jolly tavern for all sorts of snowy delights. It’s a perfect spot to catch up with friends or for a fun date.
For those who do it up big…
My family’s tradition has long been getting tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the world famous Rockettes. The performance features dance numbers, singalongs, and a live nativity scene on stage. I always feel like a little kid again when I watch, my face lighting up as Santa reminds us about the importance of Christmas magic. It’s just what you need to spark some cheer into your heart. As an aside, my favorite Chinese restaurant, Tang Pavilion, is just around the corner if you fancy a little pre-theatre fuel.
Another fantasy I love to play out around this time of year is pretending to be Eloise at The Plaza. If you didn’t see the movie about her Christmas adventures twenty years ago, stream now and admire the power it has to make you fall in love with New York. I make-believe I am a Midtown Princess nowadays by attending afternoon tea service at The Palm Court. Doll yourself up (seriously, they have a Pinterest board for dress code inspo) and treat yourself to a service the iconic hotel has offered for over 115 years. Reservations, of course, are essential. If a tea party isn’t so much your thing, you can alternatively reserve a spot at the bar for festive cheers.
Rachel’s Weekly Recs: Giving Tuesday (Wednesday?) Edition…
Bluestockings Cooperative in Lower Manhattan is facing a difficult, uncertain future, and they are looking for their community to rally around them to help. They are accepting book donations, but more urgently appreciate donations to their mutual aid fund. DONATE HERE
The National Network for Abortion Funds is working toward building a world with universal reproductive freedom and justice. Their network supports local, independent abortion funds and provides resources to those in communities most in need throughout the country. DONATE HERE
If you’re strapped for cash, consider giving gently worn clothes and canned items to a community aid organization. My hometown choice is People’s Place which serves Ulster County. They’re asking for a number of low-price, high-impact items for distribution such as toothbrushes, canned meat, hats, and scarves. DONATE HERE