Without any doubt, visiting New York is the dream of every foreigner. This is a city of eternal celebration and fun, extravaganza and sophistication, contrast and magic. An incredible kaleidoscope of colorful emotions makes millions of tourists from all over the world come here again and again.
And what could be better than going to the City of Dreams on the eve of Christmas and New Year?
After all, at this time New York is like a fairy tale, and the Christmas spirit is present literally in every detail. And of course, who didn’t want to be ever in the shoes of Kevin or other famous heroes of Christmas movies?
So what makes New York so alluring?
The Rockefeller Center and the most famous Christmas tree
Christmas holidays are a great time to visit the Rockefeller Center.
Here you can see the famous Christmas street lights, a huge ice rink, and the main Christmas tree. An interesting fact is that it was first established in 1933. And at that time the Christmas tree had about 700 lights, now they are more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on approximately 5 miles of wire. And the Swarovski crystal star on the top is 9 feet, 4 inches in diameter, and weighs about 900 pounds. Moreover, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony is one of the most anticipated moments of the New Year season. This tradition is more than 75 years old.
Also, the Skating Rink is very popular. And even though its prices are a bit high, it does not stop the tourists to visit.
Shopping malls and Christmas markets
Of course, New York is a paradise for shopaholics. After all, how not to mention the famous Christmas discounts in all stores starting from Black Friday. In New York, the most popular shopping destinations are Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany’s, Bloomingdales, Barneys, and Macy’s. Here, each showcase during the Christmas season becomes like an art installation and has its own unique theme.
Ice skating in Central Park New York
Besides, one of the American Christmas traditions is ice skating at the Wollman Rink in Central Park. This place is famous for its romantic and soulful atmosphere. Couples, large companies, families come here in order to share with each other the magic of the moment.
Christmas holiday shows
Undoubtedly, traveling to New York would be pointless without attending at least one festive performance. Most of all, the city is famous for its Broadway performances, bright and unforgettable show programs. The main stage at the Radio Music Hall is simply mesmerizing.
It is also important to mention the most beloved play of the Americans, without which they simply cannot imagine Christmas. The Nutcracker Ballet is considered one of the best Christmas events in New York. This show impresses with sumptuous costumes and sets, creative visuals, and original choreography. Furthermore, in New York, you can see a huge variety of this play, from classical to hip-hop variations. And although unfortunately, due to the Covid pandemic, many legendary performances have been canceled, everyone can enjoy online versions of some of them.
New Year’s Party at Times Square
And finally, it is worth mentioning the tradition that from year to year brings more than one million Americans and foreign tourists together on New Year’s Eve. The famous New Years’ Eve Ball on the main street of Times Square is a unique holiday show. The main event of the evening is the drop of a huge ball that counts down the last seconds of the outgoing year. This tradition dates back to 1907. However, this is not a cheap pleasure. Due to the huge number of people, the cost of the “party pass” exceeds $ 200. Also in 2021, the Times Square show will be presented in a virtual format for the first time in 114 years.
In conclusion, the most “Christmas” city in the world has something to surprise. And despite all the difficulties and a huge number of restrictions, there is always a place for the Christmas holidays. After all, they force you to stop and forget about all the problems, make a wish, and believe that the best thing to come.
