The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes dozens of exciting and traditional events to enjoy throughout our wonderful city. Here are just a few to put on your calendar:
2014 Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The 2014 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, December 3 with live performances from 7–9 PM, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions will watch it live across the globe. The Tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 8pm on January 7th, 2015.
15th Annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square: On Monday, December 1, 2014 the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District and presenting sponsor Time Warner will host the Fifteenth Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square – New York’s largest holiday festival! Join legendary artists, up-and-coming musicians, dancers, street performers and more as we welcome the holiday season and light up the Upper West Side with an evening of music, food, dancing and fun for everyone. Lincoln Square’s sidewalks and public spaces will come alive with music, performers, processional groups, jugglers, stilt-walkers and more, making for a festive fun-filled evening along the streets of this dynamic Upper West Side neighborhood. Over 30 of Lincoln Square’s finest restaurants and eateries will offer food tastings at nominal cost ($1-$4) at three separate outdoor locations from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Dozens of local stores and neighborhood institutions will host activities and holiday cheer throughout the evening. Monday, December 1, 2014, 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Rain, Snow or Shine! The celebration begins with the lighting of the Upper West Side Holiday Tree in Dante Park at Broadway & 63rd Street and continues along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street.
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair: Grand Central Terminal’s 15th annual Holiday Fair is the only holiday market in the city to operate indoors. This season, the Fair will fill Vanderbilt Hall with 76 vendors for six weeks each offering a wonderful array of holiday gifts for all your loved ones including art, clothing for adults and children, handbags, jewelry and accessories for men and women, bath and body items, home goods, collectible toys, holiday items and gifts for pets. November 17 – December 24. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Exceptions: November 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving.
Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Gardens: A must-see New York tradition where enchanting model trains zip past popular landmarks under the twinkling glow of the magical Haupt Conservatory. Step into a city in miniature featuring more than 150 iconic buildings, all re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials. Marvel at G-scale trains humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center—surprising at every turn—on a quarter-mile of track as they enliven this cherished holiday experience. The Artist's Studio showcases how visionary artist Paul Busse and his team craft these amazing small wonders. Real trains, real landmarks, real fun— only at NYBG! The Holiday Train Show may be the centerpiece among the Garden's seasonal offerings, but it's the first stop in a wide range of events and programming geared toward families and adults alike. Explore 250 acres of crisp winter landscapes during tours of the Garden's many collections, experience festive evening events, and take care of your holiday shopipng list! November 15 – January 19.