StayAreasNew York at Christmas 2026: the tree, markets and where to stay
New York's Christmas is packed into a few blocks of Midtown: the Rockefeller Center tree, the Saks light show and Bryant Park's Winter Village are all within ten minutes of each other.
Midtown is the base if you want it all on foot; Chelsea and Greenwich Village are close to the Union Square market.
The tree, markets and windows
Rockefeller Center tree and rinkFree
The tree goes up in November and is usually lit on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving (3 December in 2025); the 2026 date wasn't out at the start of November.
Stay nearby: Midtown · ~$280/nightBryant Park Winter VillageFree
28 Oct 2026 – 28 Feb 2027: more than 180 holiday shops and a free-admission rink (skate rental extra). Tree lighting set for 1 Dec.
Stay nearby: Midtown · ~$280/nightSaks Fifth Avenue light showFree
A light show across the store's façade every evening through the holidays, opposite the Rockefeller tree.
Stay nearby: Midtown · ~$280/nightMacy's Herald Square windowsFree
The animated windows on 34th Street, unveiled around Thanksgiving.
Stay nearby: Midtown · ~$280/nightUnion Square Holiday MarketFree
12 Nov – 24 Dec 2026, closed Thanksgiving Day.
Stay nearby: Greenwich Village · ~$330/nightColumbus Circle Holiday MarketFree
Stalls at the south-west corner of Central Park, usually from late November to 24 December.
Stay nearby: Upper West Side · ~$270/night
Christmas by area
How far each area is from the tree, markets and windows on foot. Walking times are estimates; prices are a typical mid-range double, not December rates.
Christmas from Midtown
~$280/nightOn foot: Rockefeller tree 10 min · Bryant Park 10 min · Saks light show 10 min.
5 of the 6 on this list are within a 30-minute walk. The subway runs on Christmas Day too.
Hotels in Midtown →Christmas from Chelsea
~$350/nightOn foot: Macy's windows 15 min · Bryant Park 25 min · Union Square market 25 min.
Macy's windows is your closest, about 15 minutes' walk; the subway runs on Christmas Day.
Hotels in Chelsea →Christmas from Greenwich Village
~$330/nightOn foot: Union Square market 15 min.
Union Square market is your closest, about 15 minutes' walk; the subway runs on Christmas Day.
Hotels in Greenwich Village →Christmas from SoHo
~$380/nightOn foot: Union Square market 25 min.
Union Square market is your closest, about 25 minutes' walk; the subway runs on Christmas Day.
Hotels in SoHo →Christmas from Lower East Side
~$260/nightThe nearest is Union Square market, about 2 km away: a subway ride.
Nothing on this list is walkable; the subway runs every day, Christmas included.
Hotels in Lower East Side →Christmas from Upper West Side
~$270/nightThe nearest is Columbus Circle market, about 2 km away: a subway ride.
Nothing on this list is walkable; the subway runs every day, Christmas included.
Hotels in Upper West Side →Christmas from Financial District
~$350/nightThe nearest is Union Square market, about 4 km away: a subway ride.
Nothing on this list is walkable; the subway runs every day, Christmas included.
Hotels in Financial District →Christmas from Williamsburg
~$250/nightThe nearest is Union Square market, about 4 km away: a subway ride.
Nothing on this list is walkable; the subway runs every day, Christmas included.
Hotels in Williamsburg →
Good to know
Midtown hotels are at their most expensive from Thanksgiving to New Year. The week after Thanksgiving and the days just before Christmas are usually the best value.
The subway runs every day, including Christmas Day.
Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Nov 2026 · How we research our guides