NYC Hidden Secrets
Insider Top Picks for December 2009
Not visiting this month? Back to New York City Events. For more Monthly Events, see, November, January, Thanksgiving and Christmas or New Years Eve.
NYC Hidden Secrets December 2009
There is NOTHING on the planet like New York City at holiday time. The trees, lights, store window displays, ice skating, white snow, the smell of roasted chestnuts (which, by the way, smell far better than they taste). The City is breathtaking at this time of year. It's also very cold and more crowded than usual, ahhh but that is the price we pay.
Related pages: One Day Itineraries, Non Tourist Ways to see our Tourist Attractions, Free Museum Days and Times, FREE NYC Tours
Do you have event to add to the NYC Hidden Secrets November 2009 calendar?
77th Annual Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony
Rockefeller Plaza
December 2nd, 2009 (usually the first Wednesday in December). 
Rockefeller Tree New York City
Photo by Igor Maloratsky
Ceremony is usally 7-9pm
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in November, the lighting ceremony is the first Wednesday of December and the tree stays up through the first week of January.
NYC Insider Tip: For the best view, enter Rock Center from 5th Avenue and walk through the horn-blowing Angels toward the tree. Entering from the side, 47th or 50th streets is just not the same. Rockefeller Center is between 5th and 7th Avenues and 47th and 50th Streets.
The horn-blowing Angels will lead you to the Rockefeller Tree, Prometheus and the ice skating rink. The Angels represent hope and Prometheus, the gold statue in Rockefeller Plaza, represents the ancient Greek legend of the Titan, bringing fire to mankind.
See a Short Video of the Tree Lighting Ceremony in 2008
The Nutcracker, David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
November 27, 2009 to January 3, 2010
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™
Photo by NYC Ballet
Tickets $38-$215
On Sale: September 28, 10 AM
All 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 32 stagehands and two casts of 50 young students each from the School of American Ballet join forces to make each performance as magical as possible. Children of all ages from New York City and the nation fill the New York State Theater to be captivated by the lure of Tschaikovsky's music, Balanchine's choreography, Karinska's sumptuous costumes, and Rouben Ter-Arutunian's magical sets.
From the moment the lights dim, you're transported to a mysterious world of magic and wonder. A rousing snowstorm sends a blizzard of snowflakes dancing across the stage, while tantalizing delicacies prance about with international flair. You'll meet marching toy soldiers, little Marie, and the valiant Nutcracker who saves her from the nightmarish Mouse King all in a show The New York Times calls "a glowing fantasy." Approx. Length: 2 hours 15 min.
Ice Skating - Wollman Rink, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park
Ice Skating at Wollman Rink, Central Park, NYC
Photo from www.gettyimages.comThe Rink, Rockefeller Center
48th St at 5th Ave
Opens October 9, 2009
$10-$14 Admission +
$8 skate rental fee
The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center has been a quintessential NYC winter experience for generations. Skate under the watchful eye of Prometheus and the unique urban backdrop of Rockefeller Center's sparkling lights. Afterwards enjoy a meal, at Rock Center Café, The Sea Grill or Cucina & Co.
The Pond, Bryant Park (42nd and 5th Ave)
November 6, 2009 - January 24, 2010
Free admission, $12 skate rentals, reservations accepted
Dine afterward at Celsius or the more casual, Ice Bites.
Wollman Rink, Central Park
November to March
Skating in Central Park at nighttime is a true New York City moment. Music plays, a moon is a plus, but not required since the ice itself gives off a silver sheen. The holiday season is undoubtedly the most popular and the most picturesque. Skaters and spectators can warm up at the informal snack bar serving assorted fast food, and hot and cold drinks.
These are most well-known ice skating rinks, and there are additional ice skating rinks at the South Street Seaport, the The Polar Rink at the American Museum of Natural History and many other locations.
Disney's Animated Musical The Princess and the Frog,
Plus The Ultimate Disney Experience
November 23 to December 6, 2009
Disney - The Princess and the Frog
Get your tickets 35% off at GoldStar Events, just sign up for free. The Ziegfeld Theater is a classic New York City institution and likely the last movie old-school movie palace (more like a play theater) in New York City, with red carpeting, velvet curtains and gold trim.
Disney's The Princess and the Frog is an animated comedy from the creators of Little Mermaid and Aladdin, with music by Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman (Monsters, Inc.). It's a modern twist on a classic, featuring beautiful Tiana and a frog prince on an adventure through the Louisiana bayous. After the show, enjoy The Ultimate Disney Experience--meet Disney princesses, learn to draw from a Disney animator, swing on ropes and more.
New Year's Eve in Times Square
December 31, 2009
The crowd on New Year's Eve
in Times SquareThis is covered on over 1,000 websites, so I won't spend much time on it. After all, this is the "non-tourist" tourist guide to NYC.
It is usually freezing, you're outside for 7 or more hours, elbow to elbow with over 700,000 people, no bathrooms, backpacks or beverages. Once the ball drops, it will be an hour before you can even leave Times Square.
I did do this when I was 16 years old, and it's nice to be able to say you did it once. You couldn't pay me to do it again.
NYC Insider Way: Watch it on TV, enjoy a lovely New Year's Eve elsewhere or watch it from a hotel, such as the Marriott Marquis. Check out some other New Year's Eve Parties for alternatives.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular with The Rockettes
November 13 - December 30, 2009
Radio City Chistmas Rockettes
Get your tickets 30% off at GoldStar Events, just sign up for free. A tradition during the New York City Holiday Season for more than 75 years, this unparalleled show stars the world-famous Rockettes and features their signature eye-high kicks, precision choreography and exciting, show-stopping numbers -- including one with Santa. Audiences of all ages will appreciate the singing, dancing, costumes and effects. Like many things in NYC, this show is grand, well-done, and meant to impress.
If the discount tickets above are sold out, then try here for frequently offered specials.
Coming Soon: Holiday Markets and Fairs.
Back to New York City Events from NYC Events December 2009
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Hot Broadway Tickets
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The Lion King |
The Addams Family Nathan Lane & Bebe Neuwirth Opens March 4, 2010 |
Wicked |
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Rock of Ages Very Fun 80's Music See NYC Insider Review |
In The Heights The new "Rent" Latin Music See NYC Insider Review |
Mary Poppins |
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Bye Bye Birdie John Stamos & Gina Gershon Opens October 15, 2009 |
God of Carnage Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini & Marcia Gay Harden |
A Steady Rain Daniel Craig & Hugh Jackman Only through December 6th |
Make sure to check the latest Broadway Discount Codes.
Stay tuned...more fun things being added every day. Or get the NYC Insider Scoop to have updates and the latest news sent directly to you.
Related Pages: Perfect Vacation Top 10, Cheap Flights to New York, New York City Hotel Deals, Statue of Liberty Tickets, New York City Broadway Tickets, New York City Bus Tour, New York City Pass Discounts, New York City Printable Guide, Monthly Events Full Calendar.
2009 Hidden Secrets by Month (go to 2010 Events)
January |
April |
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