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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

New York- week before Christmas or week after?

14 replies

postitnot · 23/10/2022 19:24

We're hoping to go to New York in December, we're hoping to go October half term but the passport office has lost DH,'s passport but that's another thread!

Anyway, I think it'd be more fun before Christmas with the markets on etc, but DH thinks we should go the week after as nothing happens then anyway. But I think all the excitement will have gone! And not sure if we'd be there for new year...

What is everyone's thoughts? Thanks!

OP posts:

Tibtab · 23/10/2022 19:26

Will things be open the week after Christmas? Can you go at the beginning of December?

chipsandpeas · 23/10/2022 19:27

everything is still on and open the week after christmas, most of it does on into january

Hellocatshome · 23/10/2022 19:34

We went for New Year's a few years ago. All the Christmas decorations were still up and the Rockerfeller Christmas Tree, Ice Skating etc Didnt see any Christmas Markets but have never really heard of them being a thing in Manhatten anyway, maybe its more a suburbs thing.

chipsandpeas · 23/10/2022 19:36

Hellocatshome · 23/10/2022 19:34

theres christmas type markets in bryant park

HolidayHappy123 · 23/10/2022 19:36

Neither, it's miserably cold and they don't have Xmas markets like they do in Europe.

NYC is superb. I've just got back. But wait until the Spring to go.

bookish83 · 23/10/2022 19:42

We went the week after and Christmas was still 'on'! It was much quieter and we did not queue for anything. Yes it was very cold but easier without the crowds. Though before Christmas would feel quite exciting!

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/10/2022 19:44

Don't think they do Christmas markets much in NY. It's more of a European thing.

Also it is freezing cold there that time of year. Why NY?

MindatWork · 23/10/2022 19:51

We’ve been the week between Xmas and new year (flew in on 27th, flew out nye) - it was cold but no colder than in the uk, as long as you have puffa coats and hats/gloves you’ll be fine.

Christmas isn’t as big a deal in the US, Thanksgiving is the real holiday. They don’t celebrate Boxing Day so everything goes in as usual after the 25th.

We did find it really busy in midtown though - queued at the tkts booth and could get seat for any of the 3 different shows we wanted to see so ended up booking expensive ones online (this was pre-covid however so I don’t think you’d have this problem now).

Only thing I would say is don’t stay near a Times Square if you go in the run up to NYE. We were a couple of blocks along and it was a nightmare getting around as they start closing roads a few days before.

The atmosphere and decorations everywhere were magical - although agree with pp they don’t really do Christmas markets over there, you’d be better off going somewhere in Europe for that.

iamme21 · 23/10/2022 19:59

I was there between Christmas and NY 5 years ago, everywhere was extremely busy, queues to get in everywhere.

Rafting2022 · 23/10/2022 20:03

Go to somewhere like Prague for the Christmas markets and NY some other time.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 24/10/2022 03:15

I live here and there are 2 huge Christmas Markets! One at Union Square and one at Bryant park - pre-Covid there was also one at Columbus Circle, but I'm not sure if that one will be back.

Everything will be open as usual except on Christmas Day, but if you come at that time of year, hotels will be bonkers expensive - I believe it's the priciest time to stay here. I'd also advising staying somewhere away from Midtown, the crowds are really intense around Rockefeller Plaza and Time Square. Downtown will be much calmer and more pleasant.

TomBradysLeftKneecap · 24/10/2022 03:20

I also live here. Come after Xmas and then fuck off somewhere else before NY so, come January 2nd, we get our city back. TONGUE IN CHEEK, ALMOST JOKING! 😂

budgiegirl · 02/11/2022 19:32

I'm really surprised by this. We've been just after Christmas (27th-31st) a few years ago, and it was absolutely mobbed. Crazy busy at all the tourist spots - couldn't move in Times Square, and queued for everything, even with pre-booked tickets. I've been at other times, including just this last week, and it was much quieter.

It was also absolutely freezing. I know the weather is just luck, but it was minus 18, and bitterly cold. We literally went from one indoor place to another, it was too cold to be outside for long.

bookish83 · 03/11/2022 06:09

@budgiegirl

Sorry I think I described the week wrong! Went on Jan 2nd I think

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