NYC Holiday
Thanksgiving Christmas 2009
Not visiting this month? Back to Monthly Picks Full Calendar. This page is dedicated to NYC Holiday Thanksgiving Christmas 2009. For more Monthly Events, see October, November, December, January and New Years Eve.
NYC Holiday Thanksgiving Christmas
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). During the NYC Holiday season, the City is breathtaking. It's also pretty cold and more crowded than usual, ahhh but that is the price we pay.
Do YOU have a favorite NYC Holiday Memory?
Share Your Favorite NYC Holiday Thanksgiving Christmas 2009 (or earlier) memory and create your own page on the NYC Insider Guide! Send us your story and favorite photo. Tell us where you ate on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Read other visitors favorite NYC holiday moments.
Related Trip Planning Pages: Perfect Vacation Top 10, New York City Bus Tour, New York City Pass.
New York City during Christmas Time
This video on You Tube does a wonderful job capturing the essence of New York City during the holiday season. Thomas Kinkade discusses the creation of his painting, "Christmas in New York," but the video quality and his narration of New York City during the holidays is delightful.
He discusses the horn-blowing Angels that lead us to the Rockefeller Tree, Prometheus and the ice skating rink. The Angels represent hope and Prometheus, the gold statue in Rockefeller Plaza, represents the legend of the ancient Greek Titan, bringing fire to mankind.
"Christmas in New York brings us to Rockefeller Center for the lighting of the nations most famous Christmas tree. Rockefeller Center becomes a glorious spectacle during the holidays. Colorful skaters glide and spin under the massive, gilded statue of Prometheus. Christmas in New York celebrates both the tree and also holidays in that great city."
-Thomas Kinkade
Holiday Dining and Meals in New York City
Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, 2009
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2009
Where should I eat on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day has been one of the most frequently asked questions I've received (and it's not even October, yet).
I am compiling a list of Restaurants open on the holidays, and also recommend you check OpenTable on the date you are looking to eat. Only restaurants open on those dates will appear for reservations and as the holidays get closer, they will start to add their special Thanksgiving and Christmas Menus.
I am not an expert at dining out on Holidays, as most New Yorkers are home with their families and the people eating out on these days (same as everywhere else in the world), are New York City visitors.
Cautionary Note: During NYC Holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas 2009, most restaurants will offer a special pre-fixe holiday menu. Remember, these are days when the restaurants know mostly NYC Visitors, and not their repeat customers, are dining. They know they have a captive audience and price accordingly. If your Thanksgiving Dinner at home is truly special and wonderful, then don't try and replace it. Do something different - and something very NYC! Eat in Little Italy or Chinatown, for example. Go to Greenwich Village, SoHo, West Village or Union Square. After all, this is where NYers live, so if they are eating out, these restaurants are catering to their local regulars. Get away from the crowds and the other tourists and have a slice of NYC all to yourself.
Check Holiday articles from prior years at Associated Content, Zagats or NYCGO.
83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, November 26th, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Balloon Set Up, Wednesday, November 25th, 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Always fun, always free!
What could be more fun than Broadway Stars, Shrek, Spider Man, Hello Kitty, Smurf, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Snoopy, Mickey Mouse and Buzz Lightyear all partying together in New York City?
New Parade Route for 2009. The parade will be moving from Broadway to a new route along 7th Avenue this year, allowing better spectator viewing. The Parade starts at 9am, so for best viewing get there no later than 7am.
The starting point is on Central Park West and 77th Street, however, it is not advisable to watch the parade on CPW or Columbus Circle. Move further down to 7th Avenue. There are high winds and lots of shade along CPW, so the floats and entertainers have been known to "rush" through this area. Pick a sunny spot down on 7th Avenue between Times Square and Macy's on 34th Street. See the New Thanksgiving Day Parade Route Map and choose your favorite spot.
Balloon Set Up. This is actually as much fun as the Parade itself and many of us have stood outside with Hot Chocolate (or, um, something stronger) and watched the Parade being set up. The set takes place on either side of the American Museum of Natural History, on 77th and 81st Streets between CPW and Columbus from 3-10pm on Wednesday, November 25th.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Starring The Rockettes
November 13 - December 30, 2009
Radio City Christmas 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 specials frequently offered.
77th Annual Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony
Rockefeller Plaza
December 2nd, 2009 (usually the first Wednesday in December).
Ceremony is usally 7-9pm
Rockefeller Tree New York City
Photo by Igor MaloratskyThe Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree usually arrives in November, the lighting ceremony is always the first Wednesday of December and the tree stays up through the first week of January.
Rockefeller Center is between 5th and 7th Avenues and 47th and 50th Streets.
NYC Insider Tip: I think the most majestic view is when you enter Rock Center from 5th Avenue and walk through the horn-blowing Angels toward the tree. Entering from the side, 47th Street, just doesn't give the same effect.
Of course, the lighting ceremony itself will be very crowded and likely lots of elbowing. The NYC Insider way is to wait a day or two and see the tree in all it's glory during a less crowded time.
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.
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
November 21, 2009–January 10, 2010
Statue of Liberty made from Palm Leaves and Grass
Photo from New York Botanical Garden
This is a dazzling and detailed replica of Manhattan, made entirely from natural plants, and 14 electric trains running in loops around the city. Just like NYC, twinkling lights go on at night with both city and holiday lights. Over 140 NYC landmarks are created entirely from botanical "ingredients" such as, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, poppy pods, pine cones, berries, mushrooms, twigs and dozens of other plant parts. The 2009 Holiday Train Show is definitely one of those "not-to-be-missed" and "only in NYC" unique and memory-creating things to do for couples, families and children. Don't let the size of this photo fool you - check out how huge the exhibit really is.
Bronx, accessible by Subway and Metro North. Tickets on sale now: Adults $20, Seniors/Students $18, Children 2-12 $8.
Note: Attractions Passes do NOT include admission to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the Train Show location.
New York City Holiday Lights Tour
Rockefeller Tree 2009
Photo by Michelle A. DeBerryNovember 27-December 31, 4pm.
This three-hour journey through the city at night begins at Wall Street and City Hall, and then moves via subway to Herald Square and Midtown Manhattan, where you will move through New York City’s most famous Christmas Lights, including Macy’s, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall.
Finish the tour at a restaurant, and join your guide and fellow travelers for a prix fixe meal. With 50% off at GoldStar Events, you can't go wrong.
Coming Soon:
Holiday Lights and Store Windows, Holiday Lights Online Photo Tour
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.
What was YOUR favorite memory of NYC during the holiday season?
Tell us what YOU did in New York City during the Holiday Season! Where did you go? What did you eat? What do others absolutely have to see? What were your favorite and least favorite parts of New York City? Show us your favorite picture!
See all "New York City Holiday Memories"
Read what others did during the holiday season on THEIR New York City Vacations...
Thanksgiving 2009 Dinner at Angelo and Maxies Steakhouse
Not rated yet
Angelo and Maxie's is great local steakhouse near Union Square and Gramercy Park, serving a very affordable 3 course Thanksgiving Dinner in 2009. You ...
NYC Christmas Date Weekend
Not rated yet
My girlfriend and I (both 21 yrs old) went for a weekend in December to New York City. We stayed at the Hotel Wellington near Times Square. The hotel ...
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.
2009 Hidden Secrets by Month (go to 2010 Events)
January |
April |
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Thank you for visiting the NYC Insider Guide ...welcome to our city and I hope you love it as much as I do!
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Welcome to New York City!
