Holiday Train Show Grand Central

Holiday Train Show / Grand Central

Date:         November 13 to mid-February 2020

Time:         Monday through Friday: 8am to 8pm

                   Saturdays - Sundays: 10am to 6pm

Central Station, during the Christmas season, besides the Christmas market, in its interior also has the Christmas Show train and has become one of the most popular attractions in New York. If you like the railway world you will enjoy a model, which is a replica of the central station itself in O scale. The rolling stock of the model corresponds to old trains belonging to the collection of the museum of transport in the city. 

Also, you can see an interesting collection of railway posters published between 1920 - 1940, miniature cars, taxis, police cars, buses, gas station, King Kong on the Empire State Building, miniature boats, a barber shop , Hard Rock Cafe and replicas of buildings among others.

Our advice:

  • It is a free event, the entrance is on 42nd Street and Park Ave., therefore, there is no reason to miss it on your next trip to New York.
  • Closed Christmas Day and New Year's.

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

Bryant Park:                     November 28th to January 2nd

Columbus Circle:              November 28th to December 24th

Union Square:                  November 19th to December 24th

Grand Central:                  November 14th to December 24th 

Bryant Park: lt has more than 100 kiosks full of ornaments, gifts and decorative items with Christmas motifs, striking balls and Christmas trees are great works of art. Next to the kiosks you can find small stalls with all type of food. Link https://goo.gl/EmY2PA.

Columbus Circle Holiday: Is known internationally as one of the most elegant and beautiful places for holiday shopping. Located at the entrance of Central Park on 59th Street and Central Park West, visitors get lost in gleaming halls of art, jewelry, household items and delicious meals from local craftsmen and designers, link https://goo.gl/N0h2GO.

Union Square: its a Christmas market, one of the favorites in New York, attracts over 1 million visitors, located in the Union Square. This place is usual acquire natural Christmas trees to decorate home, plus crafts, candles, hats, scarves, food, among many other items. Link: https://goo.gl/U1wOmI.

Station Grand Central Christmas Market: located inside the legendary Grand Central Station train, so it's a perfect plan for a snow day or intense cold, you can find over 70 stalls where you can buy all kinds of Christmas souvenirs, link: https://goo.gl/XteQLJ.

Our advice:

  • When you are visiting the market, you can also remember Bryant Park ice skating is free, you only have to rent skates, do not forget to bring padlock so you can use it as a locker and save money by renting one.
  • In the market of Columbus Circle be sure to try a glass of apple cider or hot chocolate and after buying, visit the Central Park, you can find it next to the Colombus Circle.

New Year Midnight Marathon Central Park

New Year Midnight Marathon Central Park

Date:                        December 31st

Time:                       11:59 p.m.

Location:                Central Park

Distance:                4 miles (6.5 kilometers)


Thousands of spectators of all ages want to start the year with the right foot; celebrating  at the Central Park from 10:30 pm until the clocks strikes midnight on December 31st, it starts with a costume party with a DJ, 15 minutes of fireworks will light up the sky with the light effects, there will be a champagne toasts, and then the starting signal is given; the participants and the public, in general, will have a great time,  for four miles distance, participants will run in a costume if they want to wear it.

The registration for this event has a cost, and it can be made with a credit card, you can’t register with cash. The prizes are made by metal and in order to encourage participants there will be extra prizes.

Our advice:

Remember, the temperature can drop to 10 degrees below zero, so be prepared for it, in the middle and in the end of the race everyone make a champagne toast.

Try to arrive at 10:00 pm. Do not forget to donate your used clothing and shoes in good condition and placing them in Goodwill Association containers.

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

Date of ignition:     Date is not confirmed yet, 7:00pm to 9:00pm  

Date shutdown:     January , 2021 Date is not confirmed yet, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Start time:             Every day from 5:30 in the morning
                               Until 11:30 at night

Christmas officially begins after the Thanksgiving and after turns on the Christmas Tree on the Rockellefer Center. It is decorated with 45,000 LED lights, drive for 8 kilometers of electric cables and topped with a Swarovski star.

For the special date there is always a programming gala that starts at 7 pm, on Christmas and New Year the tree is on the 24 hours.

Our advice:

  • The event is free, its attended by thousands of people and is followed by millions of them through television around the world.
  • If you are lucky enough to be in New York that day, We recommend you to go a couple of hours before the exhibition if you want a good location. Otherwise, you'll probably have to watch the whole ceremony through the giant screens installed in different parts of the Rockefeller Center. For More information, visit: http://goo.gl/MMO9S8 

New Year's Eve New York

New Year's Eve New York

Location:      Times Square

Date:             December 31st, 2019

Time:            9:00pm to 12:00am

New Year’s Eve in New York! The city offers many alternatives to farewell2016 and to welcome the new year with a lot of energy, for those who defy the cold, crowds and are fascinated with the lights, it’s ideal to visit Times Square. It has been the center of global attention on New Year’s eve, since the owners of Time Square started this celebration in 1904 on the roof to greet the New Year. The first celebration of the ball was made in 1907, and the tradition has been a universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.

In this link you can see the schedule: http://goo.gl/ja5kH

Our advice:

Among the free events taking place in New York on December 31st night, we can list:

  1. See the ball drop in Times Square.
  2. Midnight marathon in Central Park, with music, dance and a costume parade, all light up with fireworks.
  3. For those who love to party, get a pass that allows you to entry parties in bars and hotels with an open bar, for a certain number of hours and an extra amount, it’ll allow you to make a VIP night.
  4. For the tourist who wants to receive the new year on water, there are boats and cruise ships that offer tours, music, dancing, cocktails and the best view in town for the end of the year.
  5. New York offers everything, how about a night of relaxation in a yoga class for two hours? with vegetarian snack, toast with natural drinks, and the countdown will be done with Oooohhhhhhmmmms!

Don't miss New Year's in New York city!

Christmas 5th Avenue

Christmas 5th Avenue

Schedule:                 9:30 am to 8:30pm average time

With the Christmas arrival, it's time to enjoy the showcase of the most elegant stores that are on 5th Avenue. Start walking from 57th Street, discover a stunning snowflake made by Swarosky, at this corner you can find also stores like Tiffany, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton and Bergdorf Goodman where the decoration of their Christmas showcases its a different theme each year with extravagant designs.

The Saks stores comes alive with a spectacular light show projected on the building,  all passers crossing by 5th Avenue are attracted to it. Bloomingdale's, the Christmas decoration at the store on Lexington Avenue always catches the eye of the people, Barney's stores, where in Christmas they have spectacular lights, animation and innovation for people crossing around, Lord & Taylor showcases offer scenes inspired by favorite memories of their clients.

Christmas in New York City has much to do from the Rockefeller Center, with its eternal Angeles Herald, the famous Christmas tree, the ice rink, and showcases decorated with love.

Location of some stores:

Bergdorf Goodman: 754 Fifth Avenue and 58th Street

Henri Bendel: 712 Fifth Avenue, and 56th Street

Tiffany & Co: 727 Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th streets

Cartier: 653 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street

Saks: 611 Fifth Avenue and 50th Street

Lord & Taylor: 424 Fifth Avenue and 38 Street

Our advice:

  • On the Fifth Avenue you can find all kinds of gift items and buy whatever you want. From clothing, electronics, books, music. If you want to buy a gem and if you have the money, you can go to the famous Tiffany jewelry where you will find what you are looking for.
  • Not everything is expensive on Fifth Avenue, because if you have enough time and try to look with patience, you will find clothing stores with a great price or deals.
  • If you want to eat or drink something, do not worry because on Fifth Avenue you can find everything to spend a great day in New York, buying and eating well.
  • It's better to go with a good shopping budget without worrying and having to be looking at the prices all the time, but you will enjoy just visiting all the shops of Fifth Avenue anyway.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

Date:     From November 30th to January 3rd - 2020

The mot extravagant Christmas light display in New York is located in Diker Heights Brooklyn, between 11th and 13th Avenue and 83th and 86th street. This Italian-American neighborhood is where residents bring out their Christmas spirit, lighting their houses with brightly colored bulbs, decorating the houses with Santa Claus in different sizes, nativities, snowflakes that fall from rooftops creating an illusion that snow is falling from the sky, you can also enjoy animated reindeer, giant candy canes, that help create the Christmas Spirit in this magical neighborhood.

The video will show some houses in Dyker Heights and details how to make the tour on your own; However you can also take the tour that brings you from Manhattan to Brooklyn,

Tour:               5:45 pm - ROW NYC
                        6:15 pm - Pennsylvania Hotel

Duration:       3 hours 30 minutes (approx)

This holiday tour takes you to the residential neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, Italian-American sections of Brooklyn where you will find tree-lined streets and beautiful private residences decorated for the Christmas holidays.

You won't just see the lights; you'll walk through the neighborhoods with a guide to hear the stories behind this fun holiday event that brings thousands of people here each year. You may even meet some homeowners who are a proud part of this festive holiday.

On your way back to Manhattan, you'll see the spectacular New York skyline and some of the beautiful displays. Stop a Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center to see the iconic displays including the Christmas tree and ice skating rink. You'll be dropped off in Midtown to conclude your tour.

Buy tickets here.

Our advice:

  • Here are some tips to enjoy this Christmas light extravaganza in Dyker Heights.
  • Park your car and walk for better viewing options, bring strollers for the kids.
  • Take the D train to 71th Street in Brooklyn, get off the train at this stop and walk 10 minutes towards 11th and 13th Avenue and 83rd and 86th St.

Holiday Train Show Bronx Botanical Garden

Holiday Train Show Bronx Botanical Garden

Date:                       November 2019to January 2020

Hours:                    Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                                 Closed on Thanksgiving Day - Christmas

For Christmas, the Botanical Garden in the Bronx presents a wonderful show called "HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW" "The Show of Christmas Train", Where you can see more than 20 scale model trains covering a wide variety of terrain and 150 miniature buildings of the five counties, with thousands of lights artfully designed, which occupy a quarter mile. Look up to see a new exhibition area of trains over height with the most famous bridges in New York. The monuments are made of natural materials such as bark, branches, stems, fruits and natural seeds.