Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden
With Christmas trees illuminated, festive bars and restaurants decked out in tinsel, and seasonal markets in full swing, the holiday season has officially landed in New York City. In addition to gift-giving and Santa selfies, an easy way to get into the holiday spirit is by experiencing one of the city’s many holiday light installations, whether it be in gardens, zoos, or on the Hudson River.
Now in its fourth year, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Lightscape has become one of the must-visit winter light displays in New York City. The mile-long experience takes visitors on a path of stunning light installations, created by artists from 10 different countries. Shining a new light on the 52-acre garden, Lightscape includes an illuminated fountain show in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, a 26-foot tall sphere sculpture with over 6,000 individual points of light, and a sprawling installation that covers the iconic Cherry Esplanade. This year, new culinary choices include a festive menu at the garden’s Yellow Magnolia Cafe, hot chocolate and mulled wine along the trail, and for the first time, drinks will also be served inside the Palm House as part of the Lightscape Bar. Lightscape is open through January 5. Tickets cost $36 during off-peak hours and $45 during peak visiting hours. On certain value nights, tickets cost $24 for adults. Buy them here.
Millions of lights and hundreds of lanterns turn the Bronx Zoo into a sparkling holiday spectacle. Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo returns this year with lights across seven geographical-themed trails that display nearly 100 animal and plant species. New this year are interactive glowing walls, six 12-foot interactive trees, and illuminated flowers. Perfect for the whole family, the event also includes a holiday train ride, ice carving demonstrations, illuminated performers, puppet adventures, and seasonal treats, like hot chocolate, s’mores, warm churros, and more. Tickets start at $41.95 for adults, $26.95 for children, and $36.95 for seniors. Buy them here.
Adding a little magic to your holiday shopping outings, The Shops at Columbus Circle have debuted its biggest light installation ever. The upscale mall kicked off its holiday season in November with 300,000 lights, 44 new stars, and 3,000 feet of sparkling garland. The color-changing stars will dance to choreographed light shows every 30 minutes between 5 p.m. and midnight daily. The lights are just one part of the Shops’ holiday season; this year, shoppers can expect gingerbread house workshops, live performances from Broadway stars, holiday-themed jazz shows, and more. The lights will be up through January 5.
The largest Chinese lantern festival producer in North America is debuting in New York City this winter. Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the parking lots next to Citi Field into a mystical light installation with dozens of sculptures and interactive displays. This year’s festival, which takes place across dozens of cities in the United States, features an immersive experience of “Koda’s Adventure,” which takes visitors on a journey through the Amazon alongside 7-year-old Koda with the opportunity to play games and win prizes. On December 18, the lights festival is hosting a special “Twinkle Tails Night” where pets are invited to join the fun and enjoy special treats and souvenirs. Tickets start at $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends for adults
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Seeking some suburban Christmas nostalgia? Head to Dyker Heights. Residents of the South Brooklyn neighborhood have been decorating their homes for the holidays since the 1980s with more locals joining in on the over-the-top decor every year. Today, roughly 150,000 people visit the neighborhood each year to take in the millions of vibrant lights, a two-story Santa Clause, 25-foot nutcrackers, and towering inflatables across several blocks. The displays usually remain up for a few days after the new year. Most of the displays are found from 11th to 13th Avenues, from 83rd to 86th Streets. You can take the D train to 71st or 79th Street and walk about 20 minutes to the lights. There are also bus tours that pick up in Manhattan and lead tours of the lights.
One of New York City’s longest-running sightseeing cruises turns festive for the holidays. Circle Line, which has been showing off views from the Hudson River since 1945, has turned its cruise and cabin into a holiday destination, equipped with twinkling lights, festive garland, merry music, and special cocktails, including the Rockette-tini (salted caramel martini) and the Kick Line (a twist on a rum punch). Surrounded by Christmas lights and pretty decor, the boat glides past landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower, and the Brooklyn Bridge, all illuminated and shining bright. There’s an outdoor deck for up-close views, a temperature-controlled indoor space, and an onboard cafe and bar. The Holiday Harbor Lights Cruise, which leaves from Pier 83, runs through January 5. Tickets start at $49.
With two million twinkling lights, 115 miles of string lights, 752 Evergreen trees, and a 32-foot hot air balloon, Hudson Yards is not messing around this holiday season. This year marks the fifth rendition of the light installation, Shine Bright Presented by Wells Fargo, seen across the Public Square & Gardens, The Shops & Restaurants, and Vessel. In addition to the lights, Hudson Yards is also hosting selfies with Santa Claus, a Menorah lighting for Hanukkah, and the new “Snowscape” winter wonderland experience at Edge.
A tradition since 1992, the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden recreates nearly 200 New York City landmarks using plant materials. More than two dozen model trains travel in and out of cityscapes made of bark, leaves, and seeds. For the first time, NYBG is offering Holiday Train Nights, where the trains and displays twinkle under the night sky. During the evening events, enjoy live classic holiday music, spiked cider cocktails and mocktails, and festive treats. Tickets for adults cost $39 for the Holiday Train Show and $49 for Holiday Train Nights. The show runs through January 20, 2025.
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