Holiday Happenings: A Curated Guide to NYC’s Most Magical Season
Step outside our doors, and you’ll feel it: the electric shimmer in the air, the scent of roasted chestnuts, the symphony of cab horns and carolers. When the holidays arrive, New York City transforms into something cinematic. And here at Aliz Hotel Times Square, we have the best of the season just steps away, plus a few secrets to share.
If you're spending the holidays with us, here’s what’s happening, what not to miss, and where to experience the most memorable holiday events NYC has to offer—everything that makes New York feel like New York in December.
Holiday Events NYC
Bryant Park Winter Village
Where ice skating meets artisanal shopping
Just a 10-minute walk from Aliz Hotel Times Square, Bryant Park transforms into a glittering alpine escape—minus the mountains. Glide across the city’s only free-admission ice rink, sip spiced cider from a striped paper cup, and browse dozens of tiny jewel-box shops selling everything from handmade ornaments to lavender hot chocolate bombs.
Local Tips:
- Go early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds.
- Don’t skip the rinkside Lodge bar. It’s the perfect spot to warm up with a cocktail and people-watch under twinkling lights.
Fifth Avenue Windows
This season’s runway? Cartier, Bergdorf, Tiffany.
Fifth Avenue doesn’t do subtle, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. From late November through early January, the legendary department stores dress their windows in holiday couture: high drama, layered detail, and stories told through silk, sequins, and lights.
Annual standouts:
- Bergdorf Goodman: Think vintage fantasy meets high fashion.
- Cartier Mansion: The iconic red ribbon and glowing façade make this a holiday landmark in its own right.
- Tiffany & Co.: A masterclass in minimalist magic, often starring diamonds, snow, and the brand’s signature blue.
Pro Move: Walk it from Central Park down to Rockefeller Center just after dusk. The glow hits differently when the city’s settling in for the night and the crowds thin out enough for you to really take it in.
Hanukkah at the Jewish Museum
Culture, candlelight, and curated design
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a visit to the Jewish Museum on the Upper East Side. Each year, they display one of the largest collections of Hanukkah lamps in the world, paired with modern art and rotating exhibits. It’s peaceful, beautifully lit, and filled with objects that tell generations of stories.
While You’re Up There: Cross Central Park and grab lunch at Barney Greengrass, a century-old classic serving bagels, sturgeon, and unapologetically retro vibes.
Grand Central Holiday Fair
Gifts worth giving (and keeping)
If your gift list includes anyone creative, quirky, or hard to shop for, skip the big-box stores. The Grand Central Holiday Fair is a locally-loved market filled with handcrafted ceramics, letterpress stationery, cashmere beanies, and gourmet goodies.
Worth Pausing For: Take a moment to look up. Vanderbilt Hall’s vaulted ceiling and warm lighting make even a gift run feel like a moment.
Candlelight Concerts
Classics by candlelight, all across the city
In a world of earbuds and algorithms, there’s something deeply human about live music. This season, Candlelight Concerts bring holiday string performances to some of NYC’s most atmospheric spaces. Historic churches, art deco theaters, and even Sony Hall are transformed by thousands of flickering candles and the sounds of quartets playing seasonal classics.
What To Expect:
- Seasonal favorites like The Nutcracker and O Holy Night
- Intimate venues illuminated entirely by candlelight
- Multi-sensory performances that feel pulled from a storybook
Skip the Front Row: Sitting a few rows back gives you the full picture: candlelight, strings, arches, and all the quiet details that make the moment feel timeless.
After the City, This
The beauty of staying in Midtown during the holidays is that the sparkle doesn’t end when the night does. It follows you upstairs.
Start with a stop at Dear Irving on Hudson, where low lighting, skyline views, and vintage glamour make a nightcap feel like an occasion. Then, slip into your room. Kick off your boots, sink into plush bedding, queue up a holiday film, and watch the city carry on below you, just beyond the glass.
Aliz Hotel Times Square is your own quiet corner of New York, in the heart of everything. A place to pause, exhale, and still feel part of it all. After all, there’s no place like New York for the holidays, especially when you’re staying here.