Neighbor News
NYC's Best 2016 Christmas and New Year's Eve Activities
Looking for something to do in NYC this Christmas and New Year's Eve? Here are some events you won't want to miss.
Few places in the world rival what New York City is like during the holiday season, specifically the week between Christmas and New Year's. "Miracle on 34th Street" helped make the city famous for its Christmas celebrations while how wild Times Square gets as the famous ball drops in the final minute of the year is well known.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Radio City Rockettes will perform at 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Christmas in a beautifully decorated Radio City Music Hall, providing spectators with wonderful opportunities to enjoy the famous precision dance holiday show.
Christmas Day Skating
Ice skating rinks at Rockefeller Center and in Central Park will be open late on Christmas, until midnight at Rockefeller Center and until 11 p.m. at Wollman Rink in Central Park. Lacing on skates on this wintry holiday really adds to the Christmas spirit of this special day.
Find out what's happening in Midtown-Hell's Kitchenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Church Service
Several churches throughout the city will have Christmas services including St. Patrick's Cathedral. Christmas mass will be held nine times at that famous church; the midnight one is the only one that requires a ticket for entry, and none remain. The next mass starts at 7 a.m., and the final one commences at 5:30 p.m.
New Year's Eve at Times Square
This is one of the biggest parties in the world as 2 million descend on Times Square every New Year's Eve to celebrate the start of a new year while watching the Times Square Ball start its descent at 11:59 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Midtown-Hell's Kitchenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fireworks over New York Harbor
Those who do not want to be around the crazy crowds surrounding Times Square do have other options. One is to get a prime spot for the fireworks that are set off at midnight over New York Harbor. The best places to watch these are from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Battery Park.
NYRR Midnight Run
The New York Road Runners, the same group that organizes the New York Marathon every November, provides an active way to welcome in the new year with a 4-mile run that starts at midnight. I've shared some more info about this on my Twitter feed. While making their way around Central Park, runners will also get to enjoy a fireworks display that takes place there.
