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1. Ice Skate at the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink

Tie up your skates for a spin around the famous ice rink at Rockefeller Center, while the dazzling Christmas tree twinkles in the background.

2. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Catch a sneak preview of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's giant balloons as they're inflated outside the American Museum of Natural History. FREE

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Santa ushers in the start of the holiday season when he arrives at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by the author

3. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Get up at the crack of dawn to stake out your spot along the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, or splurge on a hotel room overlooking the parade (Pro tip: book now for next year!)

4. Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Splurge to see the high-stepping Rockettes do that famous kick line, and enjoy the live nativity finale during a production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes.

5. Winter Village at Bryant Park

This outdoor winter wonderland is filled with holiday magic. Where else can you hit the ice for FREE, sip on hot chocolate, and peruse a charming selection of open-air shops?

6. Have High Tea

Get the kids dressed up to enjoy a holiday high tea at one of these swanky spots.

7. Holiday Express

Head to the New-York Historical Society to see its Holiday Express display, featuring toys and trains from its Jerni Collection dating back to the early 1900s.

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You're never too old to feel the magic of Christmas at Macy's Santaland. Photo by the author

8. Macy's Santaland

Visit with the "real" Santa at Macy's magical, elf-filled Santaland. Reservations are required. FREE if you can resist the photo package.

9. The Nutcracker

Delight in a sumptuous show at the impressive Lincoln Center and see the famed New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker.

10. The Metropolitan Opera

Catch the annual holiday production from the Met Opera, which offers The Magic Flute each season.

11. Alvin Ailey Family Matinees

Enjoy a modern dance performance courtesy of the famed African American dance company, and stick around after the performance for a special Q&A with performers.

12. See a Holiday Show

NYC's kid-theater scene never lacks variety, and that means the holidays bring tons of awesome, all-ages family shows playing at theaters all across town.

13. NYBG Holiday Train Show

Marvel at the miniature trains and NYC landmarks made from botanical materials at the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show.

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The Tianyu Lights Show lets visitors experience an enchanting night walk at Citi Field.

14. Tianyu Lights Festival

Delight in the dazzling, dynamic light trail at Citi Field.

15. Make Music New York

Make a joyful noise in honor of the winter solstice at the annual Make Music New York lineup of events, which bring music to the streets in a communal celebration.

16. FAO Schwarz

Salute the life-sized toy soldiers and play on the famous dance-on piano at the iconic toy store, FAO Schwarz, which offers a perfect view overlooking the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree!

17. Big Apple Circus

The big top sets up shop for the season annually in Damrosch Park, and families can catch the beloved hometown troop in action from mid-November through early January.

18. Dyker Lights

Gawk at the spectacularly decorated homes in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood. FREE

19. Unsilent Night

Join Unsilent Night, an NYC-born offbeat holiday procession of boom boxes (held by participants) that travels from Washington Square Park to Tompkins Square Park each December. FREE

20. Rolf's Restaurant

Dine at Rolf's, the tiny German restaurant in Gramercy that goes all out with its Christmas decor.

21. Check Out a Holiday Pop-Up

If you've already enjoyed a night out at Rolf's, try one of these other over-the-top decorated restaurants and holiday pop-ups in NYC.

22. All Aboard the Polar Express

Some things are worth leaving the city for, and these Christmas trains near NYC are cool enough to get us into the 'burbs for a seasonal excursion.

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The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting is a must-do at least once! Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer

23. Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

While we caution against the packed crowds, brave them at least once to watch the Rockefeller Center tree being lit for the season. FREE

24. Go Caroling in Washington Square Park

Ring in the holiday by caroling around the Christmas tree near the historic Washington Square Arch on Christmas Eve. FREE

25. Grand Central Terminal

Head to this commuter hub outside of rush hour for plenty of fun things to do, including a completely FREE Holiday Train Show and an enchanting holiday market.

Celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of the world's largest menorahs, at Grand Army Plaza in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Photo by  Julienne Schaer

26. See a Menorah Lighting

Make plans to see larger-than-life menorahs get lit during the Festival of Lights. You can catch World's Largest Menorah lighting in Manhattan, or Brooklyn's Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza.

27. See the Animals Glow

The Bronx Zoo takes visitors on an after-dark safari, complete with lanterns, light shows, and wildlife theater performers.

28. Holiday Windows Walk

Pack a thermos of hot cocoa for the kids and a couple of candy canes and stroll the Midtown streets looking at the spectacular holiday windows and streetside decorations. FREE

29. Christmas in Historic Richmond Town

Take a step back in time at Historic Richmond Town as it celebrates the season with a Dickens-style village complete with historical interpreters, old-school crafts, yummy treats, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

30. Holiday Nostalgia Rides

Christmas shopping is even more fun when you catch one of these old-fashioned subway trains parading through the underground.

31. Broadway Under the Stars

See the glittering light show at The Shops at Columbus Circle and catch Broadway stars crooning on select seasonal evenings.

32. Luna Park's Frost Fest

Coney Island isn't just for summertime visits. The popular Luna Park gets a wintery makeover for Frost Fest with Santa visits, ice skating, seasonal eats, and select amusement park rides.

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This magical origami tree is a stunning sight at the American Museum of Natural History. Photo by the author

33. See the Origami Tree

Pose for a photo at one of the many magical-looking Christmas trees around the city. We love the American Museum of Natural History's origami-festooned tree.

34. Or the Angel Tree

The Met's ode to the season is a towering tree bedecked in angels with an 18th-century Neopolitan nativity scene at its base.

35. North Pole Express

If you're car-free and can't get away, the double-decker bus tour dubbed the North Pole Express is an excellent substitute within city limits! You'll be wined and dined by energetic elves, enjoy an above-the-crowds peek at Midtown's fabulous displays, and meet-and-greet with Santa aboard a festively decorated TopView Sightseeing bus as you sing carols all the way.

36. Legoland Holiday Bricktacular

Enjoy a seasonal day trip to the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular to see special holiday shows, a 35-foot-Lego Christmas tree, and plenty of photo-ops with Lego Santa!

37. Dine with Santa

When a short visit isn't quite enough to get your requests in, consider booking one of these brunches, cruises, or Santa teas for yummy eats and plenty of face time with jolly old St. Nick.

38. Celebrate Kwanzaa

The Brooklyn Children's Museum celebrates the seven principles of this holiday with an action-packed week of programming that includes vibrant performances, art, workshops, and more.

39. Lightscape

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden shines brightly with its twinkling display and the cathedral of lights is a jaw-dropping backdrop for a photo!

40. See Spectacular Holiday Houses

While the Dyker Lights offers a concentration of spectacularly lit holiday houses, we've found a few more over-the-top homes worth visiting at least once. Many of these stunning displays give back to the local community, too.

41. New Victory Holiday Show

If your kids aren't quite ready for a big-time production at Lincoln Center or Radio City, consider booking tickets to this kid-friendly spot, which stages the action-packed, festive Yuletide Factory this winter.

42. Harlem Meer Christmas Tree Flotilla

Why go to one Christmas tree lighting when you can see a whole flotilla come to life on the Harlem Meer? If you missed the community-minded lighting, it's still worth stopping by to snap a picture of the sparkling trees during the season. FREE

43. Hudson Yards Holiday Lights

This sky-high micro nabe shines brightly during the holiday season when more than 2 million twinkling lights and glittering hot air balloons fill the multi-level mall and public square with sparkling seasonal cheer.

44. The Museum at Eldridge Street

This stunning Jewish institution—housed in a former temple—sponsors a Christmas Day concert annually.

45. Visit a Holiday Market

We love the holiday markets that pop up during the Christmas season. Visit them to support some small businesses while you shop for the perfect gift. You'll find seasonal markets at Columbus Circle, Herald Square, Bryant Park, Union Square, City Point, Brooklyn, and beyond.

46. Enjoy a Cathedral Service

Celebrate the holiday with a religious service at the Catholic St. Patrick's Cathedral or the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.

47. Hit Times Square

If you've crossed off everything else on this list, it's time for the true test of holiday fortitude: Can you bear the crowds at Times Square on New Year's Eve? We did it once and can report that was (more than) enough.

48. Prospect Park New Year's Drone Show

For a more low-key New Year's Eve experience, consider heading out to Brooklyn's Prospect Park to see the sky light up with a brand-new drone show as the clock strikes midnight.

49. Three Kings Day Parade

Embrace the tradition of celebrating this post-Christmas holiday with a parade through East Harlem, complete with live camels and larger-than-life puppets of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.

A version of this post was published in 2017; it is updated annually. Stephanie Ogozalek contributed additional reporting.