New York City Events December 2010
NYC Insider Guide Top Picks

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

78th Annual Tree Lighting
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Ceremony, 7-9 pm

The tree arrives in November, Black Friday and Thanksgiving just passed, the department stores just opened their famous window holiday displays...the week after Thanksgiving represents the true start of Holiday Season in NYC for many New Yorkers.

Read the full NYC Insider Guide to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Ongoing New York City Events December 2010

Holiday Windows NYC Bloomingdales
"Famous Couples" Display 2009

Ongoing Events

NY Giants Football

Radio City Rockettes

NY Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Nutcracker Ballet

The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino

Big Apple Circus

Half Price Tickets this Month in New York City

December Half Price Tickets:

- Radio City Christmas Spectacular Rockettes
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
- Wintuk: from Cirque du Soleil
- EastVille Comedy Club
- Love, Loss and What I Wore: by Nora Ephron
- BODIES... The Exhibition
- Chinatown and Little Italy Food Fest
- King Tut NYC: Return of the King at Discovery Times Square Exposition
- Cirque du Soleil's Wintuk & Radio City Christmas Spectacular Holiday Package

Jazz at Lincoln Center: Red Hot Holiday Stomp

December 9-11, 8pm
December 11, 2pm
Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Tickets start at $15 with your special NYC Insider Guide discount!

Save 25% on tickets with code "Red Hot 25"! or 212-721-6500, CenterCharge

Let's face it, even Santa Claus, miracle man that he is, can't do it all alone. So, for what has become a great contemporary holiday tradition, the man in the red suit recruits the help of his Christmas-loving musical friends at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Join Wycliffe Gordon and an all-star band as they jazz up the great Christmas songs with a Crescent City twist, and, at the same time, infuse jazz with the ho-ho-ho holiday spirit.

Photo: Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon leads Red Hot Holiday Stomp at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dec. 2009. Photo credit Frank Stewart.

Christmas in New York City

Christmas in New York City is magical. The Rockefeller Tree, glamorous store window displays and holiday lights everywhere you look bring the most amazing city and landmarks in the world to a whole new level. You want to make sure to have the best dinner, know which attractions are open and closed and so much more.

Read the full NYC Insider Guide to Christmas in New York City to get the inside scoop and plan your Christmas holiday.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bryant Park

Thursday, December 2, 2010.

Citi Pond at Bryant Park is hosting its annual TREE LIGHTING ceremony, with Broadway and musical performances, champion skaters, synchronized skating performances and more. The 50-foot tree, which will be lit by a special guest, will have more than 3,000 ornaments and tens of thousands of lights. While you're there, make sure to browse through the amazing Bryant Park Holiday gift fair and take a spin on their FREE Ice Rink. See more info on the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bryant Park.

New York City Ice Skating

For tourists and locals alike, ice skating at Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park is a classic New York winter experience.

Here are the rates and dates for the most well-known ice skating rinks.

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 around New York City.

The Rink, Rockefeller Center
48th St at 5th Ave
October 9, 2010 to April 7, 2011
$10-$14 Adult Admission ($7.50-$8.50 Under 11 and Seniors), $8 skate rental. 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. Check here for Half Price tickets that include admission to the rink and skate rental.

The Pond, Bryant Park (42nd and 5th Ave)
October 29, 2010 – February 27, 2011
* Sunday - Thursday: 8am - 10pm
* Friday & Saturday: 8am - Midnight
Free admission, $12 skate rentals, reservations accepted
Dine afterward at Celsius or the more casual, Ice Bites. Also check out their wonderful Holiday Gift Market, which opens November 5th.

Wollman Rink, Central Park
October 2010 to March 2011 (please check back for dates)
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 the most popular and the most picturesque. Skaters and spectators warm up at the snack bar serving assorted fast food, hot and cold drinks.
$4.75-$14.75 Admission, $6.25 skate rentals, Cash Only.

Standard Hotel Ice Skating - The Standard, New York softly opened the Meatpacking District's first ever ice skating rink in December 2010! Located in front of the hotel, the 3,000 square foot ice rink is open to the public 7 days a week, from 10am to midnight. The rink will be open all Winter long and features 3 types of skates to rent, as well as an "Après Skate" menu featuring hot chocolate with marshmallows, apple cider and cheese fondue. Tickets are $12, and skate rentals are $3. The Standard, New York is located at 848 Washington Street, at 13th Street.

New Year's Eve in New York City

You have so many options for New Year's Eve in NYC.

- Public view of ball drop in Times Square
-Private indoor parties around Times Square with view of ball drop
- Special dinners at thousands of restaurants
- New Years Eve with the New York Philharmonic

Check out the New Year's Eve party guide.

Spider-Man Turn off the Dark, Broadway Premiere

Spider-Man Turn off the Dark on Broadway

Opening Night: December 21, 2010

Spiderman Tickets on Sale in September

Music by Bono and The Edge of U2. Direction by Julie Taymor of the The Lion King. Flying, stunts and breathtaking designs from an international team of artists from Broadway, Cirque du Soleil, the Beijing Olympics and the Spider-Man films. The backdrop of the whole show, is, of course, New York City.

Foxwoods Theater (formerly Hilton Theatre), 213 W 42nd St

West Side Story, Promises, In the Heights CLOSING

January 2, 2011 Last Performance

Read the synopsis of West Side Story or check for discount West Side Story tickets. Just make sure to get there before January 2, 2011 - at least if you don't want to wait for the next West Side Story Broadway Revival.

Promises Promises, starring Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) and Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked) is also closing on January 2, 2011 and In the Heights is closing January 9th.

New York Knicks Basketball Tickets and Schedule

NY Knicks games are the easiest sporting event in NYC to attend. Madison Square Garden (7th Avenue between 32nd and 34th Sts) is right in Penn Station, accessible by almost any subway and just two blocks from the Empire State Building. Tickets start at just $13!!! Get lucky with Half Price Knicks tickets, try New York Knicks Tickets at Madison Square Garden or try Ticketmaster.  

NY Knicks Schedule - Home Games December 2010

Mon, Dec 06, 7:30pm vs. Timberwolves
Wed, Dec 08, 7:30pm vs. Raptors
Sun, Dec 12, 12:00pm vs. Nuggets
Wed, Dec 15, 7:00pm vs. Celtics
Fri, Dec 17, 7:00pm vs. Heat
Wed, Dec 22, 7:30pm vs. Thunder
Sat, Dec 25, 12:00pm vs. Bulls

New York City Holiday Lights Tours

New York City during Holiday season is one of the most spectacular sights to see. Get in the festive mood by taking a two-hour, early-evening tour of Manhattan's glittering holiday-season lights. New York City comes alive at night, and there is no better time to tour the illuminated city than during the Christmas holidays.

The New York City Holiday Lights Tour gives you a panoramic night tour of the city, and is not a hop-on hop-off service. There are no scheduled stops on this tour. This tour is only offered in December, so grab it now! Daily depatures at 6:00, 6:30 and 7:00 pm. From $44.00.

Central Park Zoo Winterfest

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18

'Tis the season at the Central Park Zoo’s Winterfest! During the first three Fridays and Saturdays in December, the Zoo will be open until 6:30 p.m. so visitors can celebrate the season and stroll paths decked with thousands of sparking lights and festive greenery.

Enjoy polar-themed performances, live animal encounters, snow leopards, polar bears and penguins and so much more at the Central Park Zoo Winterfest.

SING! for Wildlife Competition at the Bronx Zoo

December 18th, 28th, 29th and 30th

Get ready to “Sing” in the Holidays! Don’t Miss A Gleeful Holiday at the Bronx Zoo! Celebrate the season at the first-ever SING! for Wildlife Competition. This holiday season, the Bronx Zoo is partnering with the Hard Rock Cafe for the Zoo’s first-ever SING! for Wildlife competition, featuring high school choral group contestants from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.

Guggenheim FREE Holiday Concert

Sun, December 19 and Mon, December 20
6:30pm - 8:30pm

Celebrate the season with the joyous sound of holiday music in the museum’s Frank Lloyd Wright–designed rotunda. George Steel will conduct the Vox Vocal Ensemble and the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble in what has become a revered annual tradition for holiday enthusiasts of all ages. Free to the public. More on the Guggenheim Museum.

Donny and Marie - A Broadway Christmas Musical

December 9-19, 2010
Marquis Theatre
Broadway at 46th Street

Donny & Marie - A Broadway Christmas promises to celebrate the joy of the season with “a mix of Christmas production numbers” and the duo’s “irresistible chemistry that made them international stars."

Tickets $59-$144 at Ticketmaster

Union Square Holiday Market NYC

November 19 - December 24, 2010
Every Day 11am - 8pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day

With over 100 merchants bringing in some of the most unique gifts ever, this is a great place to do your holiday shopping or just enjoy browsing. Some of the items you will find this year include hand-blown glass housewares, local, handmade leather belts, bags and accessories made from recycled plastic, a variety of handmade jewelry, gloves, hats, Tibetan crafts and more. More on Union Square Holiday Market NYC.

New York Giants Schedule Football

Check out the New Giants Stadium, home of the 2014 Superbowl and take the train to the game! It's now super easy to get to Giants Stadium!

Tickets Start at $40 per game!

Sunday, 12/5 1:00 PM ET* FOX vs. Redskins
Sunday, 12/19 1:00 PM ET* FOX vs. Eagles

Directions to New Meadowlands Stadium

More New York City Events December 2010 Soon

Holiday Windows NYC 2009
Bloomingdales "Famous Couples" Display

Related Pages:
December 2009
Thanksgiving Christmas 2009
New Years Eve 2009

Subscribe to Manhattan Monthly

Back to Monthly Event Calendar

Christmas Dinner and Sightseeing Schedule

NYC Holiday Candlelight Tours at Mount Vernon Hotel Museum - December 10-11. Step back into the holiday season of 1830, and take a tour of this 200+ year-old New York City treasure by the warm glow of candlelight.

Singles Food & Wine Tasting at Tree Restaurant NYC - November 22nd. Who doesn't love food, wine, & a room full of interesting singles? (To be rescheduled)

Wintuk by Cirque du Soleil Final Season - don't miss your last chance to experience this winter adventure featuring thrilling acrobatics, breathtaking theatrical events, and memorable songs all along the extraordinary journey in a land called Wintuk! In honor of the show's final season, MSG.com is bringing you Part One of the Holiday KidCam Series sponsored by Wintuk.

NYC Holiday Concert - To All, Wassail! - Songs and Stories of the Merry Season at the Merchant House Museum - Friday, December 10, 2010

F-word: Feminism, Funny & Fearless Comedy Show - December 9th @ 7-10 PM, Angels & Kings, NYC.

Free Eats week with Tenka - eat at over 10 places in NYC for Free.

Lower East Side Holiday Market - December 3-5, 2010

GOOD RIDDANCE DAY IN TIMES SQUARE - December 28, 2010

Sits & Jiggles - December 7th, at 8:30PM. First and Third Tuesday of the month at 9:30, Mike & Nora gather a small group of seated humans at The Creek & The Cave for the express purpose of barely legal, live human entertainment.

Painting, Poetry and Photography Exhibition and Reception - Saturday, December 11, 2010. Come celebrate the works of 16 local seniors and Youth as they join their talents in appreciation of the Arts.

De-Stress the Holiday Mess in NYC - On Tuesday December 14, 7-8:30, find out the big and small changes you can make this year to relieve holiday stress and truly have a happy holiday. Plus, learn "quick energy tips" to keep you calm and energized all season.

FREE Savage Animal NYC Comedy Show - December 14, 9:30pm.

NYC Comedy Show Calgary Whalers Present Kings of New York - Saturday December 18th at 8pm

SAMBHAV - possibilities in Carnatic Music - Sunday, December 19, 2010

Holiday Lights Online Photo Tour

Holiday Lights and Exhibits Around New York City

Dinner and a Movie Every Sunday Night at the Tribeca Grand Hotel

NY International Children’s Film Festival (December 12 -20, 2009), IFC

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