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Stumblday's hand-checked ranking of the best things to do in New York City in December 2026: 317 picks, refreshed weekly. December in New York is the season everything else was rehearsal for: the Rockefeller tree lights in the first week, holiday markets run through Christmas Eve, the Rockettes and the Nutcracker play daily, Dyker Heights turns its blocks into a light show, and Handel's Messiah fills the concert halls. Hanukkah's giant menorahs light nightly December 4-12 in 2026, and the month closes with the Times Square ball drop and its calmer alternatives — fireworks in Prospect Park and a midnight run in Central Park.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde ParkGriffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park
The museum's global holiday-tree tradition opens for its 84th season.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde ParkThe museum's global holiday-tree tradition opens for its 84th season.
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Times Square, ManhattanTimes Square, Manhattan
The Ball descends atop One Times Square as revelers pack fenced viewing pens that stretch up 6th and 8th Avenues as far as 56th Street.
Times Square, ManhattanThe Ball descends atop One Times Square as revelers pack fenced viewing pens that stretch up 6th and 8th Avenues as far as 56th Street.
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Far SuburbsFar Suburbs
Lightscape opens a new illuminated trail through the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Far SuburbsLightscape opens a new illuminated trail through the Chicago Botanic Garden.
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Dyker Heights residential blocks, Dyker Heights, BrooklynDyker Heights, Brooklyn
Homeowners in a south Brooklyn neighborhood outdo each other with floodlit lawns and the whole thing is free to walk from the public sidewalk.
Dyker Heights residential blocks, Dyker Heights, BrooklynHomeowners in a south Brooklyn neighborhood outdo each other with floodlit lawns and the whole thing is free to walk from the public sidewalk.
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Gallagher Way, WrigleyvilleGallagher Way, Wrigleyville
Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville returns to Gallagher Way for the holiday season.
Gallagher Way, WrigleyvilleChristkindlmarket Wrigleyville returns to Gallagher Way for the holiday season.
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Midtown, ManhattanPhotograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMidtown, Manhattan
Bryant Park's free-admission rink and holiday shops open for the season.
Midtown, ManhattanPhotograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsBryant Park's free-admission rink and holiday shops open for the season.
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Downtown, the Loop & West LoopDowntown, the Loop & West Loop
Rashid Johnson's Chicago homecoming survey opens with more than 70 works at the MCA.
Downtown, the Loop & West LoopRashid Johnson's Chicago homecoming survey opens with more than 70 works at the MCA.
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Far SuburbsFar Suburbs
The Arboretum's one-mile tree-light trail opens its fourteenth season with new displays.
Far SuburbsThe Arboretum's one-mile tree-light trail opens its fourteenth season with new displays.
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Whitney Museum of American Art, Meatpacking District, ManhattanKidfly182 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMeatpacking District, Manhattan
More than 100 net art works the Whitney commissioned for artport, its online gallery, gathered for the platform's 25th anniversary.
Whitney Museum of American Art, Meatpacking District, ManhattanKidfly182 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMore than 100 net art works the Whitney commissioned for artport, its online gallery, gathered for the platform's 25th anniversary.
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Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Avenue, ManhattanFrank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons1260 6th Avenue, Manhattan
Ten Rockettes numbers and Sphere Immersive Sound fill 90 intermission-free minutes at Radio City.
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Avenue, ManhattanFrank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTen Rockettes numbers and Sphere Immersive Sound fill 90 intermission-free minutes at Radio City.
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Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield, Far SuburbsBrookfield, Far Suburbs
Holiday Magic opens with 3.5 million lights across Brookfield Zoo.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield, Far SuburbsHoliday Magic opens with 3.5 million lights across Brookfield Zoo.
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David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Square, ManhattanBillie Grace Ward from New York, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsLincoln Square, Manhattan
All 90 City Ballet dancers, 62 musicians and 125 School of American Ballet children stage Balanchine's growing-tree spectacle at the Koch Theater.
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Square, ManhattanBillie Grace Ward from New York, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsAll 90 City Ballet dancers, 62 musicians and 125 School of American Ballet children stage Balanchine's growing-tree spectacle at the Koch Theater.
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The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, BronxReconrabbit · CC0 · Wikimedia CommonsBronx Park, Bronx
Nearly 200 New York landmark replicas built from palm fronds, pinecones and cinnamon sticks, with model trains looping the Haupt Conservatory.
The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, BronxReconrabbit · CC0 · Wikimedia CommonsNearly 200 New York landmark replicas built from palm fronds, pinecones and cinnamon sticks, with model trains looping the Haupt Conservatory.
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Good Alley Reserve, Arcadia, Pasadena & San Gabriel ValleyArcadia, Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley
The Chinese soup-dumpling spot's second, more upscale location is now open in Arcadia.
Good Alley Reserve, Arcadia, Pasadena & San Gabriel ValleyThe Chinese soup-dumpling spot's second, more upscale location is now open in Arcadia.
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American Academy of Arts and Letters, Washington Heights, ManhattanBeyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsWashington Heights, Manhattan
The Final Fantasy artist's first New York institutional solo show: a Pandora frieze of drawings, free at Audubon Terrace from opening day.
American Academy of Arts and Letters, Washington Heights, ManhattanBeyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThe Final Fantasy artist's first New York institutional solo show: a Pandora frieze of drawings, free at Audubon Terrace from opening day.
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F1 Arcade Chicago, River North, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopDowntown, the Loop & West Loop
The new River North racing arcade pairs full-motion simulators with a bar and restaurant.
F1 Arcade Chicago, River North, Downtown, the Loop & West LoopThe new River North racing arcade pairs full-motion simulators with a bar and restaurant.
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Midtown, ManhattanTzim78 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMidtown, Manhattan
Thousands of costumed Santas swarm Midtown bars in the annual charity-tied pub crawl, traditionally held the second Saturday of December with a route revealed only days before.
Midtown, ManhattanTzim78 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThousands of costumed Santas swarm Midtown bars in the annual charity-tied pub crawl, traditionally held the second Saturday of December with a route revealed only days before.
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Tiger Tiger, Beverly Hills, Hollywood & West HollywoodBeverly Hills, Hollywood & West Hollywood
Try Tiger Tiger as a recent LA opening.
Tiger Tiger, Beverly Hills, Hollywood & West Hollywood
Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway, ManhattanThe Richard Nixon Presidential Library · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons1634 Broadway, Manhattan
Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell open a party-pitched Broadway Shakespeare.
Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway, ManhattanThe Richard Nixon Presidential Library · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsTom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell open a party-pitched Broadway Shakespeare.
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Pitch And Pour Supper Club, West LoopPitch And Pour Supper Club, West Loop
Pitch And Pour Supper Club at Pitch And Pour Supper Club.
Pitch And Pour Supper Club, West Loop
The New York Historical, Upper West Side, ManhattanUpper West Side, Manhattan
A Dee Dee Ramone Fender, a Studio 54 opening-night invite and the Saturday Night Fever script tell how broke 1970s NYC birthed disco, punk and hip hop.
The New York Historical, Upper West Side, ManhattanA Dee Dee Ramone Fender, a Studio 54 opening-night invite and the Saturday Night Fever script tell how broke 1970s NYC birthed disco, punk and hip hop.
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David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, Lincoln Square, ManhattanAjay Suresh from New York, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsLincoln Square, Manhattan
The New York Philharmonic plays John Williams's score live at David Geffen Hall while the first Harry Potter film runs on a big screen above them.
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, Lincoln Square, ManhattanAjay Suresh from New York, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsThe New York Philharmonic plays John Williams's score live at David Geffen Hall while the first Harry Potter film runs on a big screen above them.
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Herald Square, ManhattanJet Lowe · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsHerald Square, Manhattan
Macy's flagship turns its 8th floor into Santaland — an elaborate walk-through North Pole village ending in a visit and photo with Santa.
Herald Square, ManhattanJet Lowe · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsMacy's flagship turns its 8th floor into Santaland — an elaborate walk-through North Pole village ending in a visit and photo with Santa.
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Antepli Mediterranean Grill, Albany Park, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareAndersonville, Uptown & Lincoln Square
Antepli Mediterranean Grill at Antepli Mediterranean Grill.
Antepli Mediterranean Grill, Albany Park, Andersonville, Uptown & Lincoln SquareAntepli Mediterranean Grill at Antepli Mediterranean Grill.
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