And a few other far-too-early-to-be-talked-about questions about the holiday season in NYC.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas in NYC, it doesn’t get much better than that. What’s that, it’s 92 degrees out today? Summer still has another month left? Yes, these things are true, but right around the beginning of August is when we begin consistently receiving questions about Christmas in NYC, so it’s time we start planning our holiday vacations while we answer your questions in a special holiday edition of NYC FAQ:
When is the 2014 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting?
This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 3 beginning at 7 p.m. Remember, get there early if you want a good spot of the show.
When does the NYC Holiday Lights Bus Tour begin?
Each year, Gray Line New York turns our Night Tour into a specially themed Holiday Lights Tour catered to the incredible sights and sounds NYC puts on during the season. Between the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, 5th Avenue’s awesome holiday decorations, Macy’s light show, and so much more, we had to dedicate a tour to the season. This year, the Holiday Lights Tour begins on Thursday, December 4th, the day after the Christmas Tree Lighting.
Where is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree?
The easy answer is Rockefeller Plaza.
The more appropriate answer is that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree can be found between 5th and 6th Avenues on the plaza that connects 49th and 50th streets. You can approach the tree from the side by walking down one of those blocks and entering the plaza, or you can go to 5th Avenue between 49th and 50th streets to enter with the traditional view of the tree. There will almost always be a crowd on 5th Avenue taking pictures during the holiday season, so just look out for them.
How long will the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree be lit?
The tree will be lit for the first time on December 3rd and remain lit until January 7th, 2015. Aside from a few special days during this stretch, the tree will remain lit until 12 a.m. each night.
Will there be any other tree lightings in NYC during the holiday season?
Yes! Most people are only familiar with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, but there are quite a few trees in NYC that have lighting ceremonies and remain lit for an extended period of time. Here are just a few:
- The American Museum of Natural History has an Origami Holiday Tree on display
- Bryant Park hosts one of the best trees in Manhattan at the top of their skating rink
- Winter’s Eve in Lincoln Square is on December 1 this year
- The New York Stock Exchange Tree will rise for the 91st time this year
- The World’s Largest Menorah can be found on 59th and Central Park South
Where can I go ice skating in NYC?
There are a few places to go ice skating underneath the cold, night sky in NYC. The most popular spot is Rockefeller Center, right below the big Christmas Tree. The Bryant Park Ice Rink is another beautiful park to go skating, surrounded by the Holiday Shops. Our third recommendation goes to the Central Park ice rink, which has some incredible views of the skyline.
The holiday season in NYC is truly as good as it gets. Decorations hang high, music and lights serenade the city streets, smiles will cover the faces of all and holiday cheer will capture will our hearts. Are you coming to NYC for the holidays? Do you have more questions that we didn’t cover? Let us know about it on twitter @GrayLineNewYork.
Photo Credit:
Andrew F. Kazmierski / Shutterstock.com
Gray Line New York
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Anthony Quintano / Flickr
Andrew F. Kazmierski / Shutterstock.com
Marcio Jose Bastos Silva / Shutterstock.com
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