NYC Free: Best Holiday Trees and Lights

‘Tis the season to enjoy the twinkling lights decorating holiday trees and the magical light displays that accompany them. 

Some, like the ones in Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, are already shining bright, and there are still more to come, along with the last few nights of lighting the giant Menorahs in Manhattan and Brooklyn for Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

NYC is magical at any time of year, especially at the holidays.

Dress warmly and enjoy.

Where to find the best NYC holiday markets

Where to find the best NYC weekend pop-up holiday markets

NYC Holiday Gridlock Alert days

Where to see the best holiday lights in New York State

Nightly Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremonies through Sunday

Menorah lighting at Grand Army Plaza at Central Park, Fifth Ave. at 59th St.

Menorah lighting at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Menorah lighting at Washington Square Park

Best NYC Holiday Trees

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

It’s probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world, and very likely the most photographed. Simply, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a NYC icon, and a custom that dates back to the 1930s, when Rockefeller Center was still under construction, as this historic photo shows.Loca

This year’s tree is a 72-foot Norway spruce from Walkill, New York, in the Hudson Valley. 

Want to know more about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree?  Click here.

AMNH Origami Holiday Tree

An annual Museum tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree and two merrily lit 19-foot Holiday Barosaurs welcome visitors to the Museum throughout the holiday season.

The theme of this year’s 13-foot tree is Oceans of Origami, with models inspired by the Museum’s special exhibition, featuring origami angelfish, lionfish, anglers, various sharks, whales, dolphins, tangs, eels,  among other treasured models.

Volunteers, including local, national, and international origami artists, fold year-round, contributing to a collection of over 1,000 models displayed on the tree. Each year the 13-foot-tree features a different theme relating to special exhibitions or collections, which includes more than 34 million artifacts and specimens.

During the holiday season, volunteers will be on hand to teach visitors of all ages origami, the art of paper folding.

• Through Jan 13, free with museum admission.

Park Slope Holiday Tree

Lincoln Square Holiday Tree

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

 Central Park Christmas Tree

• Location: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues

New York Stock Exchange Tree

Astoria Holiday Tree

• On the Great Lawn of Astoria Park

Park Avenue Trees

The tradition of lighting trees on Park Avenue began seventy years ago when several Park Avenue families wanted a special way to honor those men and women who died in World War II. Today the illuminated trees – which appear on the Park Avenue Malls between 54th and 97th Streets – remain a symbol of peace and a reminder of the sacrifices made to attain it.

Queens Botanical Garden

South St. Seaport Holiday Tree

Bryant Park