Guide to NYC Holiday Lights and Christmas Events 2020

Things to Do with Kids in New York City, Dazzling lights and more....

The holidays are here and nothing says it better than the amazing holiday light displays in New York City! Christmas celebrations may be scaled down while safety protocols and face masks ramped up. However, your family and kids of all ages can still experience the best of NYC this holiday season outdoors. The lights of Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue, Times Square and Financial District will shine brighter this year. Look for beautifully decorated buildings, department store windows adorned with holiday 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. Click NJ Kids Calendar for more events. You can always check out NJ Christmas Lights and PA holiday attractions. 

Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo

Through Jan 10, 2021
Discover holiday lights at the Bronx Zoo. Five Animal themed lantern safaris, animated sculptures, ice carving demos, holiday treats, costumed characters, wildlife theater, stilt walkers, souvenirs, 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. Tickets required and must be reserved in advance. Social distancing and safety protocols in place. Face masks required for entry. 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York, 718.220.5100.

Bryant Park Winter Village

Skating through Mar 7, 2021
Bryant Park is transformed into a Winter Village with FREE admission outdoor ice-skating. Explore holiday shops (through Jan 3, 2021) and eateries, all are following COVID-19 safety protocols. 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues, New York, NY. 

Holiday Lighting in Central Park

Kicking off on Dec 3, 2020
Celebrate the start of the Holiday season at the Harlem Meer in Central Park. Dazzling flotilla of trees will be filled with lights virtually. Facebook live video content.

Largest Menorah Lighting in Brooklyn

Dec 10, 2020 - Dec 17, 2020
Celebrate the lighting of each day of Chanukah at the largest menorah in Brooklyn with live music, hot latkes and gifts for children. Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn NY.

Luminaries Light Show at the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place

Nov 27, 2020 - Jan 3, 2021, 8AM-10PM
FREE. Canopy of colorful lights hung from lanterns on top of the palm trees at the Winter Garden. Touchless wishing stations sends wished up to the lanterns.  At the top of every hour, Luminaries Light Show featuring songs: Winter Wonderland by Michael Bublé, Silver Bells by Tony Bennett, Carol of the Bells by The Bird and The Bee, Let It Snow by Pentatonic. 230 Vesey Street, New York, NY.

LuminoCity Festival at Randall's Island Park

Nov 27, 2020 - Jan 10, 2021
An outdoors experience where you become immersed in a wonderland of lights. Get ready to Light the Night at LuminoCity Festival at Randall's Island Park in New York. Walk through 3 parks inspired by nature, history, and magic. Truly spectacular light art displays with a celebration of cultures. Strict CDC and New York City & State COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Masks must be worn at all times. Buy time slot tickets in advance. Randalls Island, New York. 

Macy's Holiday Window Displays

Through Jan 1, 2021
Macy's Herald Square holiday windows 2020 features “Give, Love, Believe” featuring 6 Broadway windows as a thank you to all the New York frontline heroes, first responders, essential workers, and equality marchers. 34th Street and Broadway, New York City.

Magic of Lights Jones Beach State Park

Now through Jan 2, 2021
Family friendly drive-thru Holiday Light experience at Jones Beach. Start off the 2 mile course where you enter a 200 foot tunnel and see over 40 holiday scenes of LED light displays. Don’t miss The North Pole, candy canes, a Victorian Village, elves, Santa, toy land, and more! For 2020, the Toyota Mega Tree Spectacular will feature over 240 feet of lights and music. Buy your contactless tickets in advance and save money. 895 Bay Parkway Jones Beach, NY.

NYBG Glow (New York Botanical Gardens)

Select dates through Jan 9, 2021
Enjoy an all NEW outdoor experience at NYBG Glow. The outdoor gardens are filled with color and illuminating lights, with the Haupt Conservatory serving as the centerpiece. See artistic ice sculpting, music and pop-up performances by The Hip Hop Nutcracker. Advance tickets required. Safety guidelines in place. 2900 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY.

Queens Botanical Garden - December at the Garden

Starting Dec 3, 2020
Winter festivities return to the Queens Botanical Garden with holiday décor along Oak Allée. Winter workshops and tours, a beeswax candle-making grab-and-go activity, and holiday sales. Face mask must be worn at all times. CDC guidelines followed. 43-50 Main Street, Flushing NY.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lights

Daily 6AM-Midnight, On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours
FREE. The tree lighting ceremony held on Dec 2, 2020. 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 New York City. Due to COVID-19, the public can visit for 5 minutes. Please check the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree website for details.

Rink at Rockefeller Center - Ice Skating

Now through Jan 17, 2021
Take the kids ice skating under the Tree at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. It’s truly a unique New York experience for children. Limited capacity for ice skaters allowed on the ice, with skate times at 50 minutes. Masks are required at all times. Located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY.

Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Displays

Through Dec 2020
Saks Fifth Avenue holiday window theme for 2020 is "This is How We Celebrate”, showcasing New York displays. Join in virtually for a total of 20 separate livestream light shows through Dec 23, 2020. Saks is located at 611 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.

Tower Lights at The Empire State Building

Daily 
Visit the top of the Empire State Building at night to see all of New York City in twinkling lights. NEW for 2020, a FREE holiday photo if you purchase 86th and 102nd floor observatory tickets. The changing of lights recognize holidays, special occasions, and organizations throughout the year. Currently, the building is using LED lights capable of displaying 16 million colors. They even have their own YouTube Channel so you can view all the lights virtually. Check out their calendar for all upcoming dedicated light displays. 20 West 34th Street, New York NY.

Read Best NJ Holiday Lights and Christmas Attractions 2020
Read Things to Do in PA and Philadelphia for Christmas and the Holidays 2020