New Year’s, New York – What to Do in NYC This Festive Season
Christmas and New Years are a big deal in the Big Apple. From Xmas shopping in some of the most legendary department stores to ringing in the New Year in the world’s most famous square, there is nowhere like New York for a Christmas and New Year’s hotel break. We’ve selected five unbeatable NYC Christmas attractions, four of our favourite New Year’s Eve events, and three festive hotel offers for you to make the most of the December though January festivities in New York.
Big Lights, Big Trees, Big Shopping in the Big Apple
Even before the last Macy’s Thanksgiving balloon has deflated, New York starts to get into the Christmas spirit. New York has no shortage of things to do during the Christmas season, but to help you make the most of your minibreak take a look at our five family-friendly ideas.
1. Ice Ice (With Your) Baby
Earning its place on any self-respecting ‘things to do in New York in Christmas’ list has to be ice skating at one of the city’s iconic ice rinks. Guests at one of Millennium’s three Times Square hotels are just a four-minute walk to the rink at Bryant Park, 8 minutes from the skating at Rockefeller Center, and only 10 minutes on the subway to Wollman Rink in Central Park. All three are perfect for a romantic Christmas date night or an outing with the whole family, but here are some rink highlights.
- Admission is free (you can hire skates for a fee) to the ice-skating rink at Bryant Park and has plenty of space for beginners and more advanced skaters at over 17,000 square feet. And because it’s the centrepiece of the Bank of America Winter Village the Christmas attractions include an après skate lodge, European inspired Christmas shops, cosy igloos, and curling.
- It doesn’t get much more Christmassy than skating below the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. It’s open ‘til midnight and perfect for a romantic (or family) day out in New York.
- Since 1949 Wollman Rink in Central Park has been a big hit with New Yorkers and visitors to the city. If you’re looking for an opportunity to show off your skills on the ice, they even have ice dance and figure skating sessions.
2. Big Christmas Lights Will Inspire You
New York goes big with its Christmas trees and decorations. Standing tallest and most famously of them all is the tree at the Rockefeller Center. Since the 1930’s the tree has been an integral part of the city’s Christmas celebrations. This year’s tree measures 79ft tall, 46ft wide, weighs an impressive 12 tons, and is decorated with 8km of lights with 50,000 bulbs. Elsewhere in New York the Bronx Zoo helps raise awareness of the animals they’re working hard to protect inviting you to take a night safari and discover 260 larger-than-life Christmas lanterns. Another favourite Christmas light show can be enjoyed from afar as you look up at the cutting-edge LED displays on the Empire State Building. Finally, if you’re looking for something a little closer to the ground, but no less awe-inspiring, then head to Dyker Heights. This Brooklyn neighbourhood has garnered a reputation for some of the biggest and best Christmas lights in the city.
3. Bringing Christmas to Life
Add a little culture to your Christmas break in New York with a visit to the ballet. And there’s no performance more festive than George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. With dancing snowflakes, naughty mice, twirling candy canes, and Tschaikovsky’s instantly recognisable musical score, this is a performance that you and the kids won’t quickly forget. Performances run at the New York City Ballet all the way until 2nd January 2022.
4. Rock(ette) Around the Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Center isn’t just famous for its immense tree or its incredible viewing deck; at Christmas it’s the Radio City Rockettes that steal the show. The world’s most famous precision dance company, The Rockettes and their iconic high-kicks are seen by more than one million people every year. Book tickets for the return of their Christmas Spectacular and you won’t be disappointed.
5. Shop ‘til You Drop
Guests at the Millennium Hotels and Resorts Times Square hotels can experience some of Manhattan’s best shopping and then easily make their way back to hotel-comfort for some deserved relaxation. An easy ten-minute walk from Times Square will take you to Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the city’s first luxury department stores. With luxury goods and must-haves from all the best designers, this is a one-stop-shop for Christmas shopping. Just eight-minutes on foot from Times Square is the Macy’s flagship on Herald Square. With more than 1.2 million square feet of retail space, it’s one of the largest department stores in the world. Take a ten-minute subway ride to Bergdorf Goodman and experience one of New York’s most loved destinations for gift buying and luxury goods for nearly a century.
From Xmas shopping in some of the most legendary department stores to ringing in the New Year in the world’s most famous square, there is nowhere like New York for a Christmas and New Year’s hotel break.
NYE in NYC – From Times Square to Coney Island
There’s no better city on earth to ring in the new year than the city that never sleeps, and there’s no place more iconic to party through the night than Times Square. Millennium Hotels and Resorts has a choice of three unique properties in Times Square for you to be at the centre of the celebrations. M Social Hotel is sleek and vibey and the perfect retreat above the city, Millennium Hotel Broadway combines amazing service with an amazing location, and Millennium Premier combines big city views with boutique comfort.
1. Have a Ball at The Ball
Just before midnight on the 31st December all eyes look to the top of One Times Square. There a crystal covered ball 12ft in diameter hovers at the top of a pole waiting for the crowd to countdown and the new year to begin. The ‘Ball Drop’ is one of the most famous New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world and the descent has been watched by partygoers since 1907. This year the Ball Drop, along with an evening of music, can once again be enjoyed in person (local rules require proof of vaccination and photo I.D.) and is just a few moments’ walk from the doors of one of our Times Square hotels. Best of all, M Social Hotel and Millennium Hotel Broadway both have rooms with views of the Ball Drop for the ultimate New Years Eve experience in Times Square.
2. Room With a View
New York’s NYE fireworks are spectacular and can be enjoyed from different vantage points around the city. But if you want to avoid the crowds, then book a room at one of our great value Times Square Hotels. Watch the festivities from your room overlooking Times Square and experience New Year’s Eve from a fresh perspective.
3. Party Above The Square
M Social Hotel is hosting the ultimate NYE party on their 5,700 square foot outdoor terrace with guaranteed views of the Ball Drop. Combining a range of luxury options (ranging from a five-hour premium open bar to Dom Perignon bottle service at your table) with live DJ entertainment and delicious appetizers, there’s nowhere else in Times Square that can offer the same level of luxury and views.
4. Sweat or Shiver Your Way Into 2022
For something totally different, why not join the Central Park New Year’s Eve Run. This four-mile race starts on the stroke of midnight and is the ultimate way to get a head start on any fitness-focused New Year’s resolutions. If a four-mile run at midnight isn’t enough for you, then join the world-famous Coney Island Polar Bear Club the next day. At 1pm on 01st January you can join (or watch) the crowds and plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean waters for the 119th Annual Plunge. Both events require registration in advance.
New Years In Style With Millennium Hotels and Resorts
From the unbeatable views to the unbeatable service, Millennium Hotels and Resorts in Time Square offer some of the best possible hotel accommodation for celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York. Join the My Millennium rewards program and book one of these great New Year’s Eve New York hotel offers, and you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best value Times Square accommodation and extra perks.
The New Year's Eve Ball Drop View Offer gives you the opportunity to book a room at Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square with full or partial Times Square Ball Drop views with an immediate 10% saving.
Use the code NYEBD when booking at the M Social Hotel Times Square New York and you can not only save 10% on rooms with Times Square views, but also get premium high-speed internet, Millennium Rewards Points and more.
Make your Christmas wish this year come true with the Stay Like a Millionaire promotion. Join the My Millennium rewards programme for free and then book a stay for just one night or more and you’ll be eligible to enter an amazing prize draw with one million points up for grabs. The lucky winner can splash their one million points on free room nights, amazing suite upgrades, dining experiences, and other exciting rewards.
