London vs New York: Which is Better for a Christmas Holiday?
Wondering whether to choose London or New York for Christmas? Although an ocean lies between them and their clocks are set five hours apart, London and New York both shine bright at Christmas and offer plenty of fun things to do during winter festivities.
In a world painted with frosty windows and twinkling lights, two cities rise like giants from the pages of the most magical storybooks: New York and London. Can you feel it? The whisper of snowflakes dancing in the air and the distant jingle of sleigh bells?
Close your eyes and imagine yourself right on the dazzling streets of the Big Apple, surrounded by crowds and all those giant buildings. Or perhaps having a stroll through the old charming lanes of London, keeping an eye out for those iconic royal guards. Both cities, wrapped in their festive finery, lure visitors with the promise of Christmas wonders and childhood dreams come true.
Which of these magnificent realms reigns supreme as the ultimate Christmas kingdom? Oh, what a dilemma we face! Right?
That’s why the comparison below is meant to help and guide you through the sparkling wonders of both New York and London. You’ll have the opportunity to choose the winter destination that aligns best with your likes. All this while on a quest to plan the most magical Christmas holiday of all!
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission from that website at no extra cost to you. Learn more: Disclosure policy.
Christmastime in London & NYC Overview
An ocean apart, London doubles New York not only in land area, but also in terms of museums. However, New York draws twice as many visitors each year compared to London. As December’s frosty fingers grip the world, the two iconic metropolises, turn into some kind of shiny, magical realms making it tough to choose just one!
London at Christmas Highlights
Christmas Tree at Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
- Christmas Markets: Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
- Lights: major streets like Oxford Street and Regent Street are beautifully lit.
- Traditional British Christmas Meals: mince pies, Yorkshire pudding, mulled wine & roast turkey.
- Christmas Shows: Christmas Carol Singalong at Southbank Centre & West End Broadway shows.
- Milder Weather: Though it can be cold, snow is less common in London than in New York.
- The atmosphere: cosy, royal, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol like.
Holiday Highlights: NYC Edition
Empire State Building Made From Christmas Candies, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
- Rockefeller Center: The famous Christmas tree and ice skating rink are iconic.
- Dyker Heights Christmas Lights: extravagant home Christmas light displays since the 80’s
- Holiday Windows: Department stores like Macy’s & Saks Fifth Avenue and their festive displays.
- Christmas Shows: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes is a classic.
- Central Park: Snowy scenes and ice skating offer a picturesque winter experience.
- The Atmosphere: sparkling, grand, and fun as in Home Alone movie.
Is New York cooler than London in winter?
The weather in News York City is a bit different than the one in London, largely due to their distinct climates. NYC is experiencing lower temperatures than London, therefore more chances of snow.
New York City Christmas Weather
Temperatures: 25°F to 57°F (-4°C to 13°FC)
London Weather Around Christmas
Temperatures: 41°F to 48°F (5°C to 9°FC)
New York has a humid subtropical climate with cold, snowy winters. That is why New York City might just be the place where snowball fights and snowman-building dreams come true! While a white Christmas is never guaranteed, NYC often sees snowfall in December. The city can also experience cold snaps, where temperatures drop considerably and can remain below freezing for several days. So get dressed well!
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pond, London’s climate is oceanic, and it tends to be relatively mild. Snow is not unheard of in London around Christmas, but it falls relatively rare, as sprinkles here and there, not enough to have a white Christmas. When snow does fall in London during the winter, it’s typically light and doesn’t last very long on the ground, especially in the central parts of the city.
There’s a higher chance of experiencing a winter wonderland in New York City around Christmas than in London. But even without snow, the misty rain and chill give London that perfect, snuggly Christmas storybook vibe.
Still Weather Might Surprise You
My London vs. my New York City around Christmas, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
In 2022, I took a weekend trip to London, from 9th to 12th of December. Surprisingly, a beautiful, but much milder snowfall than the heavy snow I usually experience at home, caused flights leaving London to be grounded.
Three years earlier, I spent two weeks in New York, between 16th of December and 1st of January. I must admit I had some days freezing there, but saw ZERO snow, with the exception of the tiny snowman above. Never saw it coming or going away, just heard about “how snow might fall tonight” on the radio. Bad luck, I could say.
Based on my personal experience of London versus New York City in winter, I would not consider the weather or snow forecasts as decision factors for a Christmas holiday.
The Festive Atmosphere
Even though London sees snow less frequently than New York, the Christmas spirit is deeply rooted in its society, activities. Hearts and streets alike. Christmas festivities have a historical elegance that’s hard to beat, perfect for those seeking the traditional.
Compared to that, New York too has its distinct charm, a vibrant, modern atmosphere and grand avenues lined with shimmering skyscrapers. The decorations are somehow not so widely spread as in London, but New York City holds the advantage of the marvellous tree at Rockefeller Center, in Midtown Manhattan and an often snowy Central Park.
London
Brompton Rd. London Lights, Copyright © Dmitry Vechorko
London is all about centuries-old cobblestone streets echoing with tales of Yuletides past. Twinkling lights drape across the main avenues, while Hyde Park hosts its massive festive annual “Winter Wonderland” fair. (🎟️ Christmas Lights Walking Tour>>)
Restaurants and pubs dress up for holiday season and serve British festive meals.
Old, candlelit churches and historic venues host sing-along carol shows. Sometimes, groups just start carolling out of the blue in parks and squares, just like in fairy tales!
Along Thames, from the Southbank Centre’s to London Bridge, plenty of traditional Christmas markets bustle with activity, offering mulled wine, mince pies, and handcrafted gifts.
The scent of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and classic double-decker buses, adorned with wreaths, traverse the city streets, painting a picture reminiscent of a Dickensian tale (🎟️ A Christmas Carol Tour in London >>).
New York City
Rockefeller centre Christmas Tree, Copyright © Bakhrom Tursunov
New York City, on the other hand, has a vibrant energy that’s uniquely its own. Skyscrapers become luminous beacons, and the city’s parks transform into winter playgrounds.
The iconic Rockefeller Center Chrismas tree stands tall and proud, casting its glow, while ice skaters glide gracefully below.
Big shops create magical worlds behind the glass. But that’s not just it! Down in Brooklyn, the houses in Dyker Heights get draped in lights, giant Santas, and snowmen so big you’d think they’ve come to life!
Then, there are the festive markets with little shops selling crafts, pretzels and eggnog. The ones in Bryant Park and Columbus Circle are definitely my favourites.
New York’s festive spirit comes as a blend of new and old-age traditions from various cultures, including German, British, Italian, Dutch, and many others.
Christmas-Themed Shows & Performances
When it comes to the cultural scene during the festive season, both London and New York have their unique and mesmerizing Christmas-theme performances.
London, steeped in theatrical grandeur, boasts with the ballets, pantomime shows and classic plays in its famed West End theaters. Historic playhouses come alive with tales of Scrooge, while contemporary stages are filled with joyful musicals like Elf.
On the other side of the Atlantic, New York City delights with shows beyond the classics, with its Broadway extravaganzas, the iconic Rockettes, and timeless ballets like “The Nutcracker”.
New York City
Radio City, Copyright © Kayle Kaupanger
Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Featuring the Rockettes, this show has been a staple since 1933, offering dance, humor, and holiday cheer. I even managed to do the backstage tour, which I totally recommend. You will meet one Rockette!
The Nutcracker by New York City Ballet: Performed at the Palace Theatre, this classic ballet is a holiday favorite in NYC. Clara and her magical nutcracker doll journey once again through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets, all set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music.
There are plenty of amazing Broadway performances, but some of the truly remarkable ones spreading holiday cheer happen at Madison Square Garden, being either musicals such as Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas or circus shows such as Twas The Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is Live on Stage at Proctors: Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the entire Peanuts gang embark on a journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Not to miss: A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House. Of all the stagings out there, this is one of a kind. Based on Dickens’ own script and happening in a 19th-century festive décor, at the pale light of flickering candles.
London
London’s Theatres, Copyright © Thomas Charters
West End Specials: Christmas-themed performances and classic plays in London’s theatre district are coming to life out of the best British novels and US movies.
Grown-ups can join a cabaret show, a high-end glamour, British burlesque at London’s Glittering West End.
For families, Elf (played at Dominion Theatre) is the heart-warming stage adaptation of the 2003 holiday film that follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to find his real family. Other West End cheerful shows might be Father Christmas Needs a Wee! (Arts Theatre) based on a children’s book, A Sherlock Carol, solving mysteries for the second Christmas in a row, and magical Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).
Royal Albert Hall opens the stage for cabaret shows such as A Christmas Gaiety, while the eternal A Christmas Carol and its reinterpretations are played in multiple locations among which The Old Vic.
The very popular Snowman musical (Peacock Theatre), a family-favourite tale of a boy and a snowman who comes to life, is still running for Christmas after almost 30 years in a row.
Locations can change from one year to another!
Carolling in London vs the Big Apple
Last year, I spent Christmas in London with my parents. And my mother chose this really fun concert at the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre: Christmas Carol Singalong. It was my first time participating in such a lovely event. It felt really magical and heart-warming to see all these people sharing so much joy and kindness with Christmas gently knocking at the door.
Caroling either in London or New York it’s a must for holiday cheer! But does how this happen?
London is a city full of old stories where carol singing is often formal and traditional, echoing especially within the grand walls of famous places like Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. New York, on the other hand, tends to have a more eclectic mix of events, from classic choir performances to more unconventional gatherings like the Merry Tuba Christmas.
London’s Sing-Along Carol Concerts
Christmas Carols Sing-along Southbank Centre in London, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
At Christmas time, London is filled with interactive carolling events. Which is beyond amazing! I got to go to the most jolly Christmas Carol Singalong at the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre! “A fun-filled extravaganza of the most-loved carols and biggest Christmas hits of all time.”
This singalong has been making spirits bright for over 20 years, and it’s perfect for families—but from what I noticed lots of people came solo too! The whole place feels like one giant, happy Christmas family. They give out song sheets, so everyone could join in and sing classic Christmas carols ( such as Silent Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come all Ye Faithful.) with an actual orchestra and live vocalists.
Similar sing-along concerts, some of the finest, take place also at Royal Albert Hall or Europe’s largest art centre – The Barbican. Still, the most intimate sing-your-heart-out concerts often occur in London’s centuries-old churches, illuminated by candlelight.
London’s Church Candlelight Concerts
London’s churches make Christmas such a wonderful time of the year. Union Chapel, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, St Luke’s Church, St Peter’s Church and many others provide these stunning settings for carols by candlelight: choir performances, organ recitals, readings, all festive favourites.
Open-Air Carolling
The Street Cats Band in Trafalgar Square, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
The Trafalgar Square Corrists are as famous as its iconic Christmas tree. More than 40 groups of carolers gather in the evenings under the tree, turning Trafalgar Square into a hub of happiness and festive cheer. Plus different independent bands keep up the holiday spirit throughout the day with their own Christmas tunes.
Meanwhile, at Fulham Palace, the exquisitely renovated Tudor garden presents “Carols in the Courtyard”. It’s an amazing holiday activity with treats like hot chocolate, mulled wine, gingerbread, and mince pies.
New York City Outdoor Holiday Caroling
Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, Copyright © SeanPaul
The most famous event is singing Yuletide carols in Washington Square Park. This nearly 100-year-old tradition sees people gathering under the arch of downtown New York’s historic park, often on Christmas Eve, to sing carols around a giant Christmas tree. And speaking of parks, if you’re in luck, you might have a chance to listen to carolers under the arcade of Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. Unforgettable, the setting, the sound!
Plus, every December, for the last 50 years hundreds of tuba players have gathered at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites, creating a unique and festive musical experience. That’s another place where you should be.
NY Magical Church Choirs at Christmas
At Christmas time, the Churches in New York are as festive as the ones in London. They host readings from Scripture and old books, Christmas carols, hymns, and choir music concerts, carol sing-a-long parties and charity events. Most of them are free to attend or donation based. Such places are the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights, Church of the Intercession, Brick Presbyterian Church or Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish.
To make New York City’s holiday season even more special, there are always the wonderful Black gospel music concerts in Harlem. For tickets, go get them here.
Cocoa & Carols Holiday Cruises
Last, but not least, what’s more magical and unexpected than you, aboard a holiday-themed yacht, singing Christmas carols, sipping hot cocoa, and enjoying homemade cookies, all while the stunning New York skyline drifts by on the water. You get to see the beautiful Manhattan and Statue of Liberty up close. You can find tickets here.
Christmas Lights & Decorations in NYC vs. London
During the holidays season, the festive atmosphere wouldn’t be so festive without some glittering lights. And if you’re wondering which one shines brighter, NY or London, well, it depends.
London’s Lit Streets
Regent Street at Christmastime, London, Copyright © Jamie Davies
In London, at Christmas time, the focus is more on hanging lights over charming historical avenues. You’ll find yourself wrapped up snug, sipping hot cocoa, and often walking under a canopy of lights. Iconic streets like Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Carnaby Street are known for how impressive they can be at this time of the year.
Not far away, Knightsbridge is home to famous department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, which eagerly embrace the festive season with amazing Christmas-themed window displays.
Also the Strand has its own festive lights. And it leads to the famous Trafalgar Square, which hosts a large, glittering Christmas tree, a yearly gift from Norway to the UK.
Meanwhile, the River Thames reflects the sparkles of its other side, Southbank area.
New York City’s Lit Landmarks
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, Copyright © Juliana Malta
Compared to London, in NYC, the lights generally wrap the architecture: skyscrapers, shops and landmarks.
Major department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue magically transform their windows and facades. Behind the glass, dancing puppets, swirls of candy canes, and images of a winter wonderland captivate people passing with their whimsical charm.
Times Square, though always brightly lit by neon and ads, gains an extra sprinkle of holiday spirit during Christmas. Over in Brooklyn, the well-known residential area of Dyker Heights outdoes itself each year with extravagant Christmas light displays.
Not to miss: the centerpiece of New York’s Yuletide celebration: the gigantic tree annual lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Christmas Markets & Gift Shopping in London vs. NYC
Covent Garden, Copyright © Rumman Amin
While both London and New York Christmas pop-up markets share the common goal of spreading holiday cheer by offering Christmas ornaments, sweet treats, and handmade gifts, London markets lean more towards traditional and historical settings, whereas New York markets often highlight the city’s urban vibe and cultural diversity.
London’s Christmas Markets
Winter Wonderland Christmas Market in London, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
Every year, Hyde Park sets up its “Winter Wonderland“, which is this massive festive fair with gift shops, food, an ice rink, amusement park, circus shows, Carols Concerts. This is one I totally love. But If you go to Southbank Centre, you can easily spot another lovely Christmas Market, a little and more cozy one, just under the bridge, filled with the smell of mulled wine and smoke of the freshly prepared food, bright lights, and lots of people.
Leicester Square Christmas Market is perfect if you search for art, entertainment and shopping, in the heart of London’s arts and theatre district.
And for upscale shopping options, you must head to Covent Garden!
vs. NYC’s Christmas Markets
Columbus Circle Christmas Market in NYC , Copyright © Kayle Kaupanger
On the other side of the pond, NYC hosts its most famous European-style Christmas market, featuring around 100 vendors and a magical ice rink, namely Winter Village at Bryant Park. But its largest Christmas market is probably the Union Square Holiday Market.
Still, my favorite one is the one at Columbus Circle (🎟️market tour tickets>> ). The souvenirs are pretty unique and I still have some nice memories. Found myself lovely tin earrings, a little monster leather painting, and spilled some wine on my newly bought winter coat due to the crowds.
Smaller holiday artist gatherings are the whimsical pop-up market inside the Oculus in Manhattan’s Financial District, and the one at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria.
Christmas Food: Bars & Restaurants in London vs. NYC
In terms of food, in London, Christmas is often marked by classic British fare. While London clings to its time-honored Christmas traditions, New York City embraces a more eclectic and inclusive approach with dishes from all over the world, making its holiday dining scene a reflection of its cultural mosaic. If you want to taste Christmas British cuisine, then it’s not hard to choose London. But if you’re a bit picky, New York has the higher variety.
Culinary Approach
Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
When speaking about Christmas dinner menus, London is preserving its cultural heritage, the food being influenced by deep-rooted British traditions. On Christmas, restaurants tend to offer hearty dishes like roast turkey, brussels sprouts, Yorkshire pudding, Christmas pudding, and mince pies, often accompanied by mulled wine.
Most popular areas on Christmas for foodies that I would also recommend are Covent Garden and Mayfair.
London’s Pubs & Restaurants
The Churchill Arms, Kensington, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
London is filled with traditional and historic restaurants and pubs perfect for a winter day. Some of the best examples:
- The Churchill Arms: Known for its extravagant Christmas decorations – the whole façade of the pub is dressed up in Christmas trees.
- Rules: Being established by Thomas Rule in 1798, makes it the oldest restaurant in London. They serve game dishes and classic British cuisine in a overly Christmas decorated historical setting.
- The Goring Dining Room: Traditional British Christmas fare, luxury setting, known for its exceptional roast meats and Christmas pudding. And its Michelin star.
- Clos Maggiore: Influenced by the stylish country inns of Provence and Tuscany, on Christmas, the restaurant has a breath-taking interior. The centrepiece is a conservatory, the world’s most romantic dining room.
- Queen of Hoxton: There is a rumour that the beautiful restaurant might host a winter rooftop with an après-ski theme and signature cocktails against a backdrop of the city skyline.
Culinary Approach
Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
Compared to London, New York’s food scene has a more inclusive approach, being a melting pot of international cuisines, with honey-baked ham, Italian panettone, Jewish latkes, Bûche de Noël, pumpkin and pecan pies, along with eggnog and mulled cider. The restaurants serve lots of eclectic, experimental, and fusion dishes.
Restaurants in neighborhoods like Manhattan and Brooklyn often blend traditional American holiday dishes with international flavors.
NY’s Christmas Restaurants
Christmas Décor at Rolf’s German Restaurant, Image Courtesy © Rolf’s
In New York for Christmas, you can literally taste everything you’re dreaming of in a magical Christmas setting at:
- Rolf’s German Restaurant: Extravagant Christmas decorations, plus German specialties like schnitzel and spätzle.
- The Algonquin: Christmas Day menu, Cocoa and Carols Happy Hour, cabaret and concerts. And the high kicking – precision line dancing Christmas tradition around The Algonquin tree.
- Pete’s Tavern: NYC’s oldest continuously operating bar and restaurant, covered with bright lights, wreaths, and garlands.
Pop Up Bars in New York City
Popular Christmas specials in New York are the themed popup bars: parties, drinking cocktails with Santa and watching people ice skating. How lovely is that?
Search for Sippin’ Santa, Miracle on 9th Street, Tinseltown: Where Everyday Is Christmas or the Igloos at Bryant Park.
Christmas Sightseeing in NYC vs. London
London Sightseeing Bus, Copyright © Cooltourismical.com
Nostalgia Train Rides and the Christmas Steam Express (somewaht inspired by the Polar Express) with festive dining experience in our 1970’s atmospheric carriages while chuging across London. But there is more.
Sightseeing Tours in NYC
New York is full of fun ways to enjoy its Christmas lights or just the winter atmosphere.
You can choose from so many different tours, ranging from horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park and pedicab tours, to luxurious limousine experiences and even scenic boat holiday cruises with hot cocoa and carols.
I personally joined this Movie Sites Tour By Bus, and it really had some holiday surprises, a lot of lights and music, movie memories and good mood.
What I did not get to try was the Holiday Nostalgia Train. And I really regret that. Around Christmas, usually on Sundays, NYC’s Transit Museum gets his vintage (1930’s) subway trains out for people to ride them at cost of a single MetroCard swipe. They go from 2nd Avenue to 145th Street and back.
vs. London
In terms of sightseeing options, compared to NYC, London doesn’t fall short. You can go see the Christmas lights with a London black cab tour or by taking the Heritage Bus (🎟️ Christmas light with vintage bus tour >>). Around Christmas, some of the heritage classic red double-decker buses are decorated with festive lights and used for special tours. Plus, Brigit’s Bakery has an one-of-a-kind afternoon tea experience in such a bus too.
An NYC does, London also has its holiday trains. The London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, for instance, runs heritage vehicles with bygone-era advertisement, on parts of the Underground. Moreover, several heritage railways in and outside of London, but within easy reach, run Christmas Steam Express. You can meet Santa, have a minced pie in a 1970’s atmospheric carriage and sing carols while chuging across London and the quaint English countryside.
If you feel like cruising along the Southbank lights, Thames Clippers boat service offer sometimes festive-themed cruises, which include Christmas decorations and holiday music.
Ice Skating in NYC vs. London on Christmas
Although my feet are not the best on the ice, ice skating is for me one of the biggest joys of the season. While ice skating is pretty popular and cozy in London, it seems to carry a longer and stronger historical significance in New York, especially at places like the amazing Rockefeller Center. But doing it either in London or in New York has its special charm, considering the setting of each.
New York City Ice Skating Rinks
Skating in Central Park, NYC, Copyright ©
From high up in the Empire State Building, you can see these tiny, colourful dots circling the ice skating rink in Bryant Park. But that’s just the beginning! The enchanting Rockefeller Center rink, nestled beneath its towering Christmas tree, the scenic Wollman Rink in Central Park, and the rink nearby Brooklyn Bridge, all have this stunningly alive, almost perfect urban backdrop.
You can even skate above the city on a small rink at The William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg or at the Edge’s Sky Deck, the highest rink in New York, surrounded by the sweeping panorama of Manhattan.
It’s like a fairy tale, ice skating in New York, with the big city that never sleeps all around you and those giant buildings reaching up to the sky!
Ice rinks in New York City are typically open from October to end of March.
vs. London’s Ice Skating Rinks
National History Museum Ice Rink in London, Copyright ©
Meanwhile, in London, the atmosphere at the skating rinks is more laid back, cosy and festive, set against historic backdrops like museums or ancient towers. Some amazing examples are the Fountain Court of Somerset House, Hampton Court Palace, Natural History Museum or Tower of London Ice Rinks.
For a more modern urban setting, you have Canary Wharf Ice Rink surrounded by skyscrapers and the Skylight Tobacco Dock’s Rink, claimed to be Europe’s only rooftop ice rink, with views of the central London skyline.
Plus, UK’s largest open-air ice rink, set around a Victorian bandstand with fairy lights, pop-ups during the cold season in Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Ice rinks in London are open for less time compared to the ones in NYC, from November to January, but their presence during Christmas season is what counts.
Best of London vs. NYC Regardless the Season
While the festive allure of Christmas paints both London and New York City in unique shades of joy and wonder, it’s worth noting that the magic of these metropolises isn’t just confined to the holiday season. No matter the month or mood of the skies, London and New York have many timeless treasures, even beyond the Christmassy charm.
London Things to Do & See
- British Museum
- London Eye
- Hyde Park
- Tower of London & London Bridge
- Covent Garden
- West End Theatres
- Buckingham Palace
- Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
- South Bank
- Sherlock Holmes Museum
- Harry Potter™ Tours — Warner Bros Studio London
- Shoreditch Clubs
NYC Things to Do & See
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Empire State Building
- Central Park
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Times Square
- Broadway
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
- Rockefeller Center
- Hudson River Greenway
- Guggenheim Museum
- MOMA
- Manhattan Jazz Clubs
Unique Christmassy Things to Do & See…
London is known for its classic Christmas traditions, and that’s a reason why I love it so much. But it also has its share of quirky activities during the festive season. And New York has it too. If you’re looking for something a little different, here are some unconventional things to do in London or New York at Christmas time.
In London…
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Copyright © Rhii Photography
When Christmas is just around the corner, Great Christmas Pudding Race takes place at Covent Garden. A traditional charity fun run where people all dressed up in festive costumes race through bouncy inflatable obstacles while e trying to keep a wobbly Christmas pudding steady on a tray.
As fun as the pudding race, but a bit more quirkier might be the Cemetery Club‘s The 12 Graves of Christmas. Every year, Sheldon curates this tour, offering a glimpse into the East End’s historical Christmas celebrations and its characters, all inspired by the book bearing the same title.
Iconic locations in London become the stage for the Boogie Shoes Silent Disco, where people dance their way through the city on Christmas tunes wearing Silent Disco headphones. (🎟️ tour tickets >>)
Theatres and museums offer ingenious workshops such as the ones for Victorian Christmas Card making in most beautiful, old-style settings.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of London, Hogwarts in the Snow brings in all Harry Potter fans for filmmaking secrets to be revealed and behind-the-scene winter festivities: Christmas banquets, giant Christmas trees decorated with witches on broomsticks, special-effect fireplaces, and the model of the Academy covered in snow that never melts.
vs. New York
Christmas outfits in NYC, Copyright © Hector Falcon
SantaCon: Love it or hate it, SantaCon is definitely quirky. Thousands of people dressed as Santa Claus, elves, and other holiday characters bar-hop around the city. Be prepared for a jolly good time!
The Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science: One of the largest gingerbread village displays in the world.
Unsilent Night: A musical procession unlike any other, Unsilent Night invites participants to walk through the streets of New York carrying boomboxes playing a unique holiday soundtrack.
Movie Bus Tour: Visiting some of the most famous filming locations in NYC in a fun bus, with lights, music, and real actors telling stories. Around Christmas they add some holiday cheer to the side performances. (🎟️ tour ticket >>)
Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center: Every December, hundreds of tuba players gather at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites, creating a unique and festive musical experience.
Mariachis, Parranda caroling & a Chinese Lion Dance leads to a Skating Rink – A celebration of Spanish Harlem, a fusion of mexican, puerto rican and chinese traditions with music, caroling, dance & skating.
So… What’s going to be? A Christmas in London or New York? Hope this little guide helped you decide where to start your holiday adventure.
