As you may have realized, we are in the thick of the Holiday Season. The spirits are high no matter what you believe in and there’s no better time to eat and drink your way across our island. The town has been transformed into a winter magic wonderland and people from all over the world come to partake. Why not us locals?
There are many activities that we look forward to this time of year, but nothing excites us more than the actual Christmas lights! Yes, they’re everywhere but they are all different! It’s also a great way to relieve our credit cards from being swiped so much this time of year.
The most recognized lights are in Rockefeller Center. While we love THE Tree, that is not what we’re here to tell you about. Outside of the Rock, we have highlighted our favorite places to check out lights in New York City.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: What started in the 1980s has improved year after year. The entire Dyker Heights community goes all out to transform their neighborhood into holiday insanity. There are traditional nativity scenes, massive Santa’s, and your usual cast of winter wonderland characters. It’s gaudy, its loud and we love it. If this can’t get you in the spirit, we’re not sure what can!
Brookfield Place Winter Garden: This holiday tradition in the heart of Lower Manhattan features a canopy of colorful lights emanating from hundreds of suspended lanterns. This interactive exhibit features three Wishing Stations located on the ground will allow visitors to send a touch-activated wish to the canopy of lanterns above, activating a magical display of lights and colors. Make sure you wait for the light show!
Holiday Under the Stars: The Shops at Columbus Circle in Time Warner Center will light its “Holiday Under the Stars,” the largest specialty crafted exhibit of illuminated color mixing in the world featuring twelve 14-foot stars that hang from the ceiling of the 150-foot Great Room overlooking iconic Central Park. The free, indoor colorful spectacle with stunning views of Central Park is an ideal destination during the cold, shorter days of winter.
Rolf’s Restaurant: A Holiday staple for us! The Gramercy German restaurant known for their decked-out Christmas décor where nearly every inch of Rolf’s walls and ceiling are covered in hundreds of garlands, ornaments, baubles and lights, resembling a psychedelic, mutated Christmas. Good luck getting a table. We advise to grab a drink at the bar and take it all in.
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza: Lincoln Center’s annual tree is a multi-cultural celebration of light, Admission is always free, and you don’t have to worry about the New York Holiday crowds! The space is beautiful, and you’ll surely leave in the spirit of things!