The Best New York City Christmas Tours
The holidays are a time for magic, and New York City is the perfect place to experience it. These incredible New York City Christmas tours are a fantastic way to see the best the city offers. These are the exact tours I have taken on my many trips to New York at Christmas, and I think you will love them.
New York City is the ultimate destination for holiday tours. The opportunities are endless, and there’s no shortage of magical experiences, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and fun for the whole family.
The holidays are all about traditions: from your favorite Christmas movie to how you decorate your home, everything around us has been carefully crafted to make the season feel special.
And while there are plenty of things in NYC that will make you feel like you’re in a storybook, there are also some incredible holiday tours that will give you an experience like no other.
Whether you want to indulge in a classic New York Christmas or explore the city during Hanukkah, there’s a New York City tour for you.
Add these budget-friendly tours to your New York City Christmas itinerary so you don’t miss a thing.
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New York City Holiday Lights & Windows Tour
My absolute favorite New York City Christmas tour is the NYC Christmas lights tour. I have taken this tour on every one of our New York Christmas trips and absolutely love it.
And you will love the price!
The holiday Christmas lights and department store window displays in New York City are stunning. Stores along Fifth Avenue go over and beyond with their decorations, lights, and interactive displays.
Of course, you can stroll alone, but I recommend signing up for the Free Tours by Foot Holiday Lights walking tour NYC.
The tour meets in front of the NYC Public Library in Manhattan. From here, you will walk with your guide to see the Christmas tree at Bryant Park at the Bryant Park Winter Village.
The tour continues to New York’s most famous department store windows.
The holiday tour ends at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, where you can admire the iconic tree and people watch for free.
Learn about all the budget-friendly ideas for spending time in this area in my post, See the Best of New York City at Christmas on a Budget.
When your guide leaves you, walk around the corner to Radio City Music Hall, home to the world famous, Radio City Rockettes.
You will find a prominent water feature, including several giant red Christmas ornaments.
It is a popular place to snap a photo.
If possible, book your Christmas Lights NYC tour for a night at the beginning of your vacation for two reasons.
First, the tour will take you to some of the most popular holiday spots.
Second, your tour guide will help you navigate the subway system. This is a win, win for first-time visitors.
Despite the name of the tour, there is a $4 per person non-refundable donation to Toys for Tots collected at the time of the reservation. But believe me, this tour is worth the $4 and much more!
Trip Tip: Be prepared to walk and dress warmly. You will need a subway ticket for a small portion of this tour.
Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour and Radio City Christmas Spectacular
After seeing the holiday lights and stunning window displays, you must add a visit to see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular to your list of must-do holiday events.
This is one of the most popular holiday shows in NYC! I also recommend you take the stage door tour.
This 75-minute guided tour will give you a behind-the-scenes peek at the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
The tours run every fifteen minutes daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. The tours sell out quickly, so make sure to book this one once you know your holiday dates.
Now, here is why you should book this tour.
If you book your tour within two hours of your show time, you can enter through the Radio City Music Hall private tour entrance and remain inside until your show begins.
You will be so happy you aren’t waiting in the cold for the show doors to open like the crowds of other people.
Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour
The Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour at Christmas in New York City offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at one of the city’s iconic landmarks.
During the tour, you will get to explore the legendary Radio City Music Hall, learn about its rich history and world-renowned productions.
New York City Christmas Tour of the Best Photo Spots in Central Park
For a new way to see NYC at Christmas, consider taking a Central Park Pedi Cab tour.
I’ll be honest; I didn’t know what a pedicab was until I looked it up after hearing about them on a Facebook group. They are bicycles with a carriage attached to the back “driven” by a bike peddler.
Initially, I was a little skeptical, but this was one of my favorite parts of our last trip.
The pedicab drivers are local guides that are knowledgeable about the park. As a bonus, the pedicab drivers know where the best photo spots in Central Park are located.
Many will take your photo at the iconic Central Park locations, including in front of the Wollman Ice Rink with the Manhattan skyline in the background and on Bethesda Terrace.
Book this tour in advance through the link, especially if you are looking for a tour with a low activity level. Just sit back and enjoy Central Park.
Some of the pedicabs on the street charge $9 per minute. Yikes! With Viator, you are given one flat price. You won’t be disappointed with this tour.
Trip Tip: Schedule your tour thirty minutes to an hour before sunset. You will get both daylight and dusk pictures that you will love.
Central Park Pedicab Tour
The Central Park Pedicab Tour at Christmas in New York City is a delightful way to explore one of the most iconic parks in the world during the holiday season.
Hop aboard a cozy pedicab, pulled by a friendly and knowledgeable guide, and see Central Park from a new point of view.
Walking Food Tours in New York
You might not think of food tours as Christmas tours, but food tours are a fun and tasty way to spend an afternoon.
And, as a bonus, you learn about the neighborhood from a local guide, eat delicious foods, and see holiday decorations in the different parts of town.
We take food tours on at least one of the days we visit New York City. It’s like having a personal tour guide that takes you to some of the city’s best food spots.
There are two types of food tours: one where all the tastings are included and the second where you pay when you want to try something. I prefer the first kind.
Paying upfront makes the experience more about the neighborhood and food rather than waiting for others at each stop.
These are the two tours I think you will love at Christmas.
The first tour is a paid tour of Greenwich Village, which includes all the tastings.
The second is with Free Tours by Foot. Although this one is good, it will be with a much larger group. Since it is a free tour, guests choose when they want to do a tasting and pay as they go along.
You will enjoy both experiences because, let’s face it, you will be tasting your way through NYC. What’s not to love?
Greenwich Village Food Tour
This Greenwich Village Food Tour is amazing!
You will taste fantastic pizza, falafel (which I probably would have never tried on my own), cupcakes, bagels, and so much more, all while you learn about Greenwich Village.
SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Food Tour
We tried navigating Chinatown and Little Italy by ourselves on our first trip. It was a total bust.
Book the SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Food Tour for a much better experience.
You will find hidden New York City gems like Ferrara’s, which serves the best cafe mocha, the most delicious chocolate cannoli, and fantastic cheesecake.
We visit every time we travel to NYC.
Trip Tip: Make sure you arrive with an empty stomach. You will be stuffed when you are done.
Holiday Market Tour
Take a joyous adventure with the NYC Holiday Christmas Market & Food Tour, a family-friendly experience that combines a festive holiday market with delectable holiday treats.
As you stroll through the Union Square Holiday Christmas Market, a local expert guide will share stories and insights while you soak in the seasonal cheer.
Enjoy mouthwatering treats from local vendors. From savory snacks to sweet surprises, this tour is the perfect way to experience the holidays with the whole family in the Big Apple.
New York City Christmas Movie Tour
My favorite holiday movie, Elf, was filmed in New York City. It turns out lots of holiday movies are filmed in NYC.
The New York Holiday Lights and Movie Sites Bus Tour lets you experience the magic of New York City’s holiday season and iconic movie locations all in one tour.
This 2.5-hour guided bus tour takes you to see the city’s spectacular holiday lights and movie filming locations. It is a fun tour!
As you travel through the city, you’ll see some of the most celebrated holiday decorations, including the world-renowned Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.
You’ll also visit several of the famous movie filming locations for holiday classics such as Home Alone 2 and Elf.
New York Holiday Lights and Movie Sites Bus Tour
The New York Holiday Lights and Movie Sites Bus Tour is an excellent way to experience the city’s holiday spirit and get a glimpse of its movie culture.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, this tour is a must-do during Christmas.
New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise
The New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise is a 1 and a 1/2 hour boat ride that takes you around the New York Harbor, with views of the city’s skyline from the water.
You’ll sing along to carols as you watch the Statue of Liberty come into view and then relax in the cozy Christmas ambiance as you listen to live jazz music.
While you’re there, you’ll enjoy Christmas cookies and hot chocolate—and don’t forget to bring your camera for spectacular photos of Lady Liberty.
New York City Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise
This delightful cruise is the perfect blend of holiday cheer and stunning views.
It’s a unique and memorable way to take in the beauty and festive atmosphere of New York City during Christmas.
NYC Holiday Tours with High-Quality New York City Tours
If this is your first time in New York City, you must book the Land and Sea tour with High-Quality Tours.
Don’t be shocked by the price. This is the most expensive tour on the list, but if you break down the cost per person for a six-hour private tour of New York, it’s a true bargain.
Of all the tours we took, this was by far the best experience for every family member.
This tour is fantastic. You will be treated like a VIP all day. They only take small groups; our group of nine people went comfortably in their private luxury Mercedes van.
This is an excellent option for those with limited mobility because they drop you off right in front of the places you visit.
The list of places you go to includes the 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, Wall Street, Central Park, Times Square, and the list goes on.
You also get a one-hour boat ride to see the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
If you have limited time and want to see everything, this tour is for you. You can also ask them to stop for breakfast and lunch.
New York City Full-Day Tour with Boat Ride
High-Quality New York City Tours provides an unparalleled experience for visitors who want to explore the lively city’s unique magic during Christmas.
Their full-day tour of New York City is the perfect way to get an up-close and personal glimpse of the city’s most iconic attractions in all their holiday splendor.
Dyker Heights Brooklyn NYC Christmas Bus Tours
Manhattan has so many fantastic holiday places, so why would you want to leave? Dyker Heights is why! This beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn dazzles during Christmastime.
It has become so popular that you can now take a bus tour to visit.
The Dyker Heights Brooklyn Christmas Lights tour will whisk you away from Manhattan to Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood, where residents have mastered the art of holiday decorating.
During this four-hour tour, you will spend time on a bus with wifi, heat, and a bathroom while enjoying the holiday lights. A professional guide will escort you through the streets of Dyker Heights when you arrive.
The tour ends near Times Square.
Dyker Heights Brooklyn NYC Christmas Bus Tours
This bus tour is an excellent option to see the neighborhoods of NYC.
You’ll be amazed by the over-the-top light displays in this popular holiday neighborhood.
Plan Your Holiday Trip to New York City
New York is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas, and I can’t think of a better way to do it than with one of these New York City holiday tours.
Whether you’re looking for an intimate tour of the city with your family or a tour with more of a party atmosphere, there are options that will make your Christmas in New York one to remember.
Before booking a New York City Christmas tour, make sure to carefully read the cancellation policy to understand any potential fees or restrictions. Knowing the terms in advance will help ensure a smooth and worry-free holiday experience in the Big Apple.
I hope you can experience one or all of these ideas. Even on a budget, a holiday trip to the “City that Never Sleeps” is possible with these affordable New York City Christmas tours.
