How to Spend a Legendary Christmas Eve in Manhattan: 24 Things to Do Before Midnight
When it comes to holiday energy, nowhere beats Manhattan on Christmas Eve. The streets buzz with last-minute gift hunting, live music fills the air, and twinkling lights guide you from downtown to uptown. Whether you’re a seasoned New Yorker or touching down for your first holiday visit, December 24 in the city offers a one-of-a-kind lineup of food, culture, shopping, and unforgettable moments.
From skating beneath the skyline to scoring premium cannabis products before the clock strikes twelve, here are 24 things to do this Christmas Eve in Manhattan.
1. Skate Under the Skyline at Bryant Park
Start the day with a lap around Manhattan’s only free-admission rink. Bryant Park’s Winter Village is open late, features dozens of local vendors, and offers everything from cider to raclette.
2. Watch the Rockettes at Radio City
Nothing captures NYC holiday spirit like the Christmas Spectacular. With high kicks, Santa sightings, and synchronized magic, it’s a must for first-timers and holiday purists alike.
3. Explore Fifth Avenue’s Famous Window Displays
Take a self-guided tour past Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale’s. Every year, these luxury retailers outdo themselves with handcrafted, animated windows worth lingering over.
4. Pick Up Premium Cannabis Products from Silly Nice
Make a high-end holiday stop at a licensed New York dispensary carrying Silly Nice products. Whether you’re looking for award-winning Diamond Powder, potent Bubble Hash, flavorful Vapes, Live Resin–Infused Flower, or the fan-favorite Frosted Hash Balls, Silly Nice brings small-batch craft cannabis to your holiday unwind.
Check availability at sillynice.com/menu or find your nearest location at sillynice.com/locations.
5. Light a Candle at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Open all day and into the evening, this historic cathedral is a quiet place to reflect and recharge — whether you’re spiritual or just seeking stillness.
6. Brunch in the West Village
Start Christmas Eve slow with French toast and flat whites at cozy West Village favorites like Buvette or Jack’s Wife Freda. Reservations recommended.
7. Sip a Classic Manhattan at Bemelmans Bar
Inside the Carlyle Hotel, this Upper East Side bar blends old New York sophistication with live jazz and signature holiday cocktails.
8. Stroll Through Central Park with Cocoa
Bring a hot drink and hit the paths from Sheep Meadow to the Bethesda Fountain. The park is quieter on Christmas Eve, and the snow (if it falls) turns the landscape into a postcard.
9. Score Last-Minute Gifts at Grand Central Terminal
Inside Vanderbilt Hall, you’ll find one of the city’s best indoor holiday markets — artisan-focused and open through the evening.
10. Catch an Indie Holiday Film at Angelika
Skip the multiplex and head to this beloved arthouse theater for a curated holiday lineup that blends nostalgia and modern storytelling.
11. Get in the Spirit at Washington Square Park
Live caroling kicks off under the arch near sunset, creating one of Manhattan’s most authentic public holiday moments.
12. Elevate Your View at One Vanderbilt
Open until 9 PM, Summit One Vanderbilt’s immersive observatory gives you a jaw-dropping panorama of NYC dressed in winter lights.
13. Dine Fireside at Keens Steakhouse
This Midtown icon doesn’t just serve legendary chops — it delivers an experience with over 100 years of NYC history in every detail.
14. Take in a Candlelight Concert
Fever’s Candlelight series hosts holiday music by string quartets in incredible Manhattan venues — often under $60 a ticket.
15. Sip Seasonal Coffee at a Hidden Gem
Duck into Lower East Side spots like Ludlow Coffee Supply or head to Ralph’s Coffee for espresso in a Ralph Lauren showroom.
16. Pop Into a Licensed Dispensary Before Dinner
Don’t forget to stock up on Silly Nice’s holiday-ready cannabis goods before the shops close. These small-batch options are perfect for cannabis connoisseurs or as upscale gifts. Licensed dispensaries carrying Silly Nice close early, so make it a midday stop.
17. Discover Holiday Vinyl at Academy Records
Spend an hour crate-digging for rare Christmas albums or jazz classics to soundtrack your evening unwind.
18. Snack Around Chinatown
Wo Hop, Big Wong, and Great NY Noodletown keep the wok sizzling late on Christmas Eve. Gather friends and go family-style.
19. Warm Up in a Sauna at QC Spa on Governors Island
If you have a couple of hours to escape, this ferry-access spa is open Christmas Eve. Outdoor heated pools and skyline views make it worth the trip.
20. Shop Hudson Yards Before Sundown
Luxury meets architecture at Hudson Yards. Swing through for last-minute gifts, early dinner, or to admire the lights and tree.
21. Visit The Strand for Gift-Worthy Reads
With curated tables, rare books, and literary merch, The Strand near Union Square is ideal for gifting or personal browsing.
22. Go Thrift Shopping in the Lower East Side
Score a one-of-a-kind coat or holiday fit at LES shops like L Train Vintage or Tokio 7. Bonus: vintage fashion is always in season here.
23. Eat Dessert First at Dominique Ansel
Swing by this Soho bakery for holiday exclusives like peppermint cruffins, spiced croissants, or Parisian-style holiday cookies.
24. End the Night on the High Line
The elevated park is open late and quiet on the 24th. Walk from Gansevoort to Hudson Yards under the stars and city lights.
Final Word
Christmas Eve in Manhattan is about moving with purpose, but leaving room for magic. Whether you’re skating at Bryant Park, getting elevated with Silly Nice flower, or eating dumplings in Chinatown at midnight, December 24 in NYC is what you make it.
Plan your must-dos, leave room for surprise, and don’t forget to stop by a licensed dispensary early to elevate your night the Silly Nice way.