By Terri Marshall
New York City shines brightest during the holiday season. Festive giant red ornaments emerge in the fountains across from Radio City Music Hall. Rockefeller Center sets the stage for ice skating in front of the country’s most famous Christmas tree and holiday markets pop up around the city. Venture up to the Bronx and you’ll find the New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show along with the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. In Brooklyn, more lights shine at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Lightscape. There’s much to see and all the twinkling lights and festive feelings will certainly enhance your holiday spirit. Here’s a few to add to your New York itinerary this season.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
A must-see tradition, Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights returns this year with new lanterns and interactive light experiences. The event presents nearly 400 lanterns of 100 animal and plant species bridging the connection between visitors and real wildlife and wild places. This season, Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights showcases the debut of 64 new lantern displays representing nine animal species from New York’s ocean waters and wetlands. Enchanted Sea – a new interactive experience – celebrates bioluminescent creatures.
Other family-favorites include the Holiday Train along with ice carvings, illuminated performers and classic holiday music. The lights continue with a holiday tree featuring synchronized musical light performances and a walk through Light Tunnel with animal-themed light shows. Holiday Lights will run at the Bronx Zoo on select dates from November 17 through January 7, 2024. For more details visit www.bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights.
New York Botanical Gardens’ Holiday Train Show
For 2023, the New York Botanical Gardens’ Holiday Train Show returns bigger than ever with more trains and an all-new outdoor train display. At this beloved tradition, model trains weave through a wonderland of more that 150 landmark buildings created from bark, leaves and other natural materials including Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and Yankee Stadium. The trains run under a canopy of twinkling lights adding to the magic of the experience.
For adults 21 and up, Bar Car Nights add curated cocktails to the fun. These special evenings feature music, food, special experiences and more, making for the ultimate night out this season. The show runs from November 17, 2023, through January 15, 2024. www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show
Brooklyn Lightscape
Throughout the holiday season, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden transforms into an illuminated trail of art from local and international artists. Brooklyn’s Lightscape features a Winter Cathedral and a Fire Garden set to over a million lights highlighted with color and music. For the 2023 season, Lightscape has been reimaged with a longer trail and new immersive displays. Among the new experiences is “Supernova” – a 24-foot-high illuminated Moravian star and a sparkling new Chandelier Walk. Lightscape runs from November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024. www.bbg.org
The Grand Central Holiday Fair
The Grand Central Holiday Fair provides a six-week long celebration of small businesses and holiday cheer. From artisan merchants to local businesses, the Holiday Fair takes place in the stunning beaux-arts Vanderbilt Hall. This curated shopping experience features 36 vendors offering a variety of gifts including art prints, gender-neutral accessories, homemade bath products, homeware, jewelry, knitwear, ornaments and more. This year’s Holiday Fair opens November 13 and runs through December 24 (closed Thanksgiving). www.grandcentralterminal.com/holiday-fair
Union Square Holiday Market
During the holiday season, Union Square transforms into a European-style market with over 150 local and national vendors. From artwork to board games to holiday ornaments, jewelry, leather goods and more, finding gifts for loved ones becomes a holiday scavenger hunt. The Union Square Greenmarket and surrounding shops and eateries offer plenty to enhance the spirit of the season. Accessible by the MTA Subway 14th Street-Union Square, MTA New York City Bus, PATH trains, and Citi Bike, the Union Square Holiday Market is open from November 16 through December 24 (closed Thanksgiving). www.usqholiday.nyc
Winter Village at Bryant Park
Jewel box kiosks featuring over 125 artisans from around the world line the alleys and terraces of Bryant Park during the holiday season. This winter wonderland is also home to another majestic New York City Christmas tree along with a 170’ x 100’ ice-skating rink. For a special treat, enjoy festive food and drinks in a heated cozy igloo just steps from the ice-skating rink and surrounded by towering Midtown skyscrapers. Each igloo session is 90 minutes and features a seasonal selection of food and drinks. One igloo can accommodate up to 8 guests. Learn more about the holiday market and special events throughout the winter here: www.bryantpark.org/wintervillage
