Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette
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Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Enjoy the spacious shore and freshwater at Fahenstock State Park's Lake Canopus. Photo courtesy of I Love the Hudson Valley
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Dreamery uses only the best all-natural milk and cream from local New York State creameries.
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The Brooklyn Museum is a premier art museum, with floors of treasures and outdoor art, too.
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The splash pad in Domino Park puts a smile on faces young and old. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Frolic in the Fountain of the Fairs, one of our 100 favorite free things to do this summer in NYC.
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The Pier 6 Waterlab has been one of our favorite NYC splash pads since it opened in 2010. Photo by Sara M
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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
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Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author
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Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.
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Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks
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The Brooklyn Children's Museum offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits perfect for warding off the rainy day blues. Photo courtesy of BCM
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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Christmas Tree Lightings in NYC in 2022: Rockefeller Center Tree and More

The American Museum of Natural History's annual origami tree overflows with buggy inhabitants in 2022. Photo by Jody Mercier
The American Museum of Natural History's annual origami tree overflows with buggy inhabitants in 2022. Photo by Jody Mercier
11/27/22 - By Jody Mercier

Good news for the crowd-averse: You don't have to brave the commotion of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting to witness a fabulous Christmas tree lighting in New York City. We've rounded up a collection of local NYC Christmas tree lightings that are much less crowded and every bit as lovely, from Brooklyn and Queens to the Bronx and everywhere in between. These community holiday Christmas tree lightings in NYC are festive and (mostly) FREE, and there’s no need to stand on your car to glimpse the goings-on. 

We've got more fun things to do this holiday season in our Guide to the Christmas and the Holidays in NYC, including our list of 12 must-do holiday activities and our tips for seeing the glimmering over-the-top displays in Dyker Heights.

Click through to our listings for all the details, including addresses, times, recommended ages, and rain (or snow!) dates.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kick off the season at the Seaport District Christmas Tree Lighting. Photo courtesy of the Seaport
Kick off the season at the Seaport District Christmas Tree Lighting. Photo courtesy of the Seaport

New York City Christmas Tree Lightings in November

Annual Seaport District Tree Lighting

South Street Seaport–FREE
Tuesday, November 29
Kick off the season in New York style at the Seaport District Christmas Tree Lighting. Prior to the big moment, visitors can enjoy holiday crafts, coloring, live performances, and more. Once the lights are on, meet Santa in the photo booth. READ MORE

Tavern on the Green's Sixth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Upper West Side–FREE
Tuesday, November 29
Tavern on the Green brings the holiday spirit to New York with its sixth annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, featuring Tavern on the Green’s very own 20-foot Christmas tree, topped with more than 2,000 ornaments and 10,000 lights to light up New York City’s Upper West Side skyline. READ MORE

Tree Lighting Skate-tacular at Bryant Park

Midtown West–FREE
Tuesday, November 29
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park hosts its annual tree lighting, with performances by The Classical Theatre of Harlem Choir as well as a stellar lineup of live skate performances, and an appearance by Santa!  READ MORE

Light Up Brooklyn Commons

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Wednesday, November 30
Celebrate the start of the holiday season while enjoying festive outdoor activities, including ice sculpting, holiday music, a tree lighting, and a visit from Santa. The Rink at Brooklyn Commons spreads the holiday cheer with free ice skating, too. READ MORE

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2023

Midtown West–FREE
Wednesday, November 30
The 91st Rockefeller Center Christmas tree illuminates for a national close-up. Families across the US can view the Christmas tree lighting from home, live on the national broadcast “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. READ MORE

Origami Holiday Tree 2022

Upper West Side
On display through Saturday, January 7, 2023
An annual American Museum of Natural History tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree and two merrily lit 19-foot holiday barosaurs welcome visitors throughout the holiday season. READ MORE
See a flotilla on the Harlem Meer get lit in Central Park. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy
See a flotilla on the Harlem Meer get lit in Central Park. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

Christmas Tree Lightings in NYC in December 2022

Dumbo Tree Lighting

Dumbo, Brooklyn–FREE
Thursday, December 1
The Dumbo Improvement District hosts its 16th annual Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, with all the trimmings. READ MORE

26th Annual Central Park Holiday Lighting

Harlem–FREE
Thursday, December 1
See the flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer get lit for the season at this annual Christmas tree lighting. Visitors can meet Santa and friends, watch a live ice-carving demonstration, sing carols on the plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa and cookies. READ MORE

Holiday Lights Battery Park City

Battery Park City–FREE
Thursday, December 1
Kick off the season with a festive evening of lively carols, cozy beverages, and sweet treats with the Battery Park City community! The new BPC Holiday Lights tree in Rockefeller Park starts sparkling with special guest appearances by Sing Harlem Choir, and you-know-who! READ MORE

Holiday Tree Lighting

Roosevelt Island–FREE
Friday, December 2
Roosevelt Island hosts a holiday celebration in the park, featuring holiday greetings from elected officials, complementary hot chocolate, cookies, and a special visit from Santa. READ MORE

Hendrick I. Lott House Tree Lighting

Marine Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, December 2
Along with the lighting of the tree, the historic Dutch-American farmhouse welcomes families to meet Sinterklaas. Children can sit with the Dutch version of Santa Claus to share their holiday wishes and pose for photos. READ MORE

Parade on Rockaway

Jamaica, Queens–FREE
Friday, December 2-Sunday, December 4
Queens' annual Parade on Rockaway provides three days packed with holiday cheer, from the biggest tree lighting in Queens to a gift giveaway (featuring Santa) and a lovely parade of lights on Rockaway Boulevard. READ MORE

21st Annual St. Nicholas Day Celebration

Flatbush, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, December 3
Families are invited to NYC's oldest house for an outdoor celebration packed with craft activities, a tree lighting, and a special visit from St. Nick. READ MORE

Holiday Tinker Festival and Tree Lighting

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Saturday, December 3
Celebrate the holidays with tinkering, tree lighting, hot cocoa and music. Test out mini winter experiments at the North Pole, build an edible snowman at the Elf Tinker Shop, or enjoy gingerbread arts and crafts with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Little Italy in the Bronx Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Belmont, the Bronx–FREE
Saturday, December 3
The Belmont BID’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony features festive entertainment, including carolers, an appearance by Santa Claus, hot chocolate, Italian cookies and treats, and much more. READ MORE

Empire Outlets Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

St. George, Staten Island–FREE
Saturday, December 3
The Empire Outlets 40-foot crystal tree lights up and families can watch a dance performance by Dance Xpress, sip hot chocolate, and meet Santa and Frankie the Ferry Hawk. READ MORE

Winter Wonder at the Queens Botanical Garden

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Saturday, December 3-Sunday, December 4
Celebrate the best of December with free live musical performances, a tree and menorah lighting, holiday crafts, a tree tour, and selfies with Santa (donations welcome). READ MORE

Annual Park Avenue Tree Lighting

Upper East Side–FREE
Sunday, December 4
Park Avenue's illuminated trees—dotting on the Park Avenue Malls between 54th and 97th Streets—switch on for the season.  READ MORE

Holiday Tree Lighting at Carl Schurz Park

Upper East Side–FREE
Sunday, December 4
A cherished family tradition features carols, Cantori choir, Orbital Brass, candlelight, candy canes, and hot chocolate. ​ READ MORE

Central Astoria Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Celebration

Astoria, Queens–FREE
Sunday, December 4
The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition celebrates the holiday season with an annual tree lighting and festival on the Great Lawn. READ MORE

Fort Greene Park Holiday Tree Lighting

Fort Greene, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, December 4
Join the Fort Greene Park Conservancy (FGPC) and for its annual holiday tree lighting. Stop by for free warm cocoa, cider, and cookies provided by local businesses. Snap a selfie with Santa and enjoy plenty of holiday cheer. READ MORE

Lights Up on Lincoln Square

Midtown West/Upper West Side–FREE
Monday, December 5
This year, the Lincoln Square Holiday Tree is back in Dante Park between Broadway and Columbus Avenue at 63rd and 64th Streets. The tree lighting ceremony features CHIA's Dance Party and the Department of Spectacle, and kicks off a series of winter performances. READ MORE

Bushwick Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade

Bushwick, Brooklyn–FREE
Monday, December 5
Bushwick is seeing double this holiday season, with two tree lightings - one in Knickerbocker Plaza and one in Maria Hernandez Park. READ MORE

Washington Square Christmas Tree Lighting

Greenwich Village–FREE
Wednesday, December 7
Join the Rob Susman Brass Quartet as children and grown-ups alike sing holiday songs, and the sparkling lights on the resplendent tree are turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings. Santa Claus leads kids in the illumination countdown. READ MORE

Madison Square Holiday Tree Lighting

Flatiron District–FREE
Wednesday, December 7
Gather around the Madison Square Holiday Tree for the 110th annual holiday tree lighting, back again, live and in person. READ MORE

Festival of Lights: Oh Christmas Tree

Marine Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Thursday, December 8
Families are invited to help decorate and light up a tree at the Carro Center. READ MORE

Sparkling the Heart of Fordham

Fordham, Bronx–FREE
Friday, December 9
Fordham Road BID hosts a tree lighting and photo ops with Santa in Bryan Park. READ MORE

Holiday on the Hudson

Harlem–FREE
Saturday, December 10
Hudson River Park's annual holiday tree lighting party invites families to celebrate the season with winter arts and crafts, hot chocolate, and live music. READ MORE

2nd Annual Tappen Park Holiday Tree Lighting

Stapleton Heights, Staten Island–FREE
Saturday, December 10
Enjoy hot cocoa, music, photos with Santa, toys and gifts, and more at the annual Tappen Park Holiday Tree Lighting. READ MORE

Annadale Christmas Tree Lighting

Woodrow, Staten Island–FREE
Sunday, December 11
The South Shore Business Improvement District amps up holiday fun with an annual Christmas tree lighting that includes a train ride for kids, a performance by Miss Caroline's Dance Elite, a DJ, bouncy houses, and photos with Santa. READ MORE

Lights of Hope Tree Lighting

Harlem–FREE
Wednesday, December 14
The Jackie Robinson Park Conservancy celebrates the season with its 25th annual tree lighting and toy giveaway (while supplies last). READ MORE

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Wednesday, December 14
Hit the Promenade to watch the Montague Street BID's annual tree illumination. READ MORE

Hammarskjold Plaza Tree & Menorah Lighting with Santa and Carolers

Midtown East–FREE
Thursday, December 15
Santa and carolers lead kids in a magical count-down to officially light the Holiday Tree and Menorah in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (DHP). Clad in Victorian costumes, the 'Manhattan Holiday Carolers' perform a capella harmonies, spreading joy with traditional favorites plus a few sing-along tunes. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

American Museum of Natural History
Astoria Park Lawn
Promenade at Montague Street