Winter is the time when New York City shines brightest. Tis the season for holiday lights, snowy adventures, and cozy moments. Here’s your guide to making it safe, meaningful, and full of joy.

Shop Your City

New York City is the shopping capital of the world for a reason. From department stores to holiday markets, there's something for every shopper and budget this season.

Shop Smart

Blue piggy bank with green and red string lights

Want to be a savvy shopper? NYC Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has got you covered with tips for buying toys, electronics, holiday gifts, and more.

You’ll also learn to:

  • Stick to your budget
  • Protect yourself when shopping online
  • Avoid common scams
  • File consumer complaints
     

Get shopping tips


Shop NYC Merch

white t-shirt with restaurant inspection grade A design

You can find unique city-themed gifts for everyone on your list at CityStore, the official store of the City of New York.

Shop online or in-person to buy:

  • Official NYPD, FDNY, and DSNY branded merchandise
  • T-shirts, magnets, home goods, stationary, posters, toys, and puzzles
  • Authentic memorabilia, and more!

It’s a great way to support NYC—100% of sales benefit the City of New York.
 

Visit CityStore
 

Shop Holiday Markets

happy senior couple hugging at christmas market souvenir shop stall in evening where woman points at merchandise

Skip the mall and stroll through NYC’s festive holiday markets for local crafts, artisanal food, and other distinctive gifts.

Top holiday markets include:

Find more markets
 

Shop Local

Give back to your neighborhood and support small businesses by shopping local instead of online.

The Shop Your City map can help you find small businesses throughout the five boroughs, including stores owned by veterans and Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and LGBTQ+ communities.
 

Shop your city


Shop Sustainable

Interior Of Charity Shop Or Thrift Store Selling Used And Sustainable Clothing And Household Goods

NYC is a great place to shop sustainably or find unique items while saving money.

Buy Secondhand

Nab one-of-a kind thrift or vintage items at a charity shop or secondhand store. Buying used or recycled items instead of new keeps them out of landfills and reduces the environmental impact caused by the supply chain.

Buy in Bulk

Shopping at a bulk or zero-waste refill store helps reduce packaging waste on food and household goods you often use.

Buy Nothing

Get free goods by joining your neighborhood Buy Nothing group. These online communities allow members to post stuff they want to get rid of and give away to others for free.

You can also use DonateNYC, an online directory to find places to get or buy secondhand goods.

 

Winter Wonderland

Wintertime transforms the city’s streets and parks into a joyful wonderland, full of glittering lights and snowy adventures. Step into the magic of winter by taking part in the season’s activities and traditions.

cartoon of  a happy mixed family ice skating during winter wearing Santa hats and outdoor winter clothes. Ice Skating Skate the day away at indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks. Cartoon of 2 kids sledding down hill in snowy forest Sledding Find the best hills for sledding in parks. Cartoon of 4 kids Christmas caroling merrily next to one another Celebrations Join the festivities and spread holiday cheer through music, art, dance, and more. Lights illuminating streets in colors of gold, blue and red for holiday season Winter Lights Admire dazzling nightscapes and tree and menorah lightings.

 

Events

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Holiday Nostalgia Rides
December 22 and 29
All aboard! Travel back in time with a ride on a 1930’s vintage subway train.
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Menorah Lighting
December 25 - January 1
Celebrate the festival of lights every night of Hanukkah at the world's largest menorah in Grand Army Plaza.
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Celebrate Kwanzaa
December 26 - 30
Explore the spirit and principles of Kwanzaa through dance, drumming, and art programs at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
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Holiday House Tours
Through December 29
History comes alive at Historic Richmond Town, where 18th-century houses are decked out for the holidays with seasonal decor.
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New Year's Eve Ball Drop
December 31
Ring in 2025 in Times Square or in the comfort of your own home as the clock strikes twelve with this iconic NYC tradition.
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Three Kings Day
January 3
Experience the spirit of giving and see vibrant performances in the annual parade and community celebration of Latin American and Caribbean cultures.

 

Holiday Service Changes

Click on a holiday for information.

Christmas Day (December 25)
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Learn more about the holiday.
New Year's Day (January 1)
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Three Kings' Day (January 6)
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 20)
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Lunar New Year's Eve (January 28)
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Lunar New Year (January 29)
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Lincoln's Birthday (February 12)
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Washington's Birthday (Pres. Day) (February 17)
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New Year's Resolutions

2025 is your year—we want to help you get closer to your goals!

Wellness looks different for everyone, but physical activity, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and mental health support are understood as the pillars of health. Here are some easy ways you can meet your wellness goals this year.

Get Moving

Eat the Rainbow

Adding fruits and vegetables of different colors to your diet has known benefits.

To enjoy a balanced and healthy diet:

  • Buy seasonally for a better taste and price. Consider supporting a farmers market or local farmer to replenish your fruit and veggies.
  • Avoid products that have a lot of ingredients you don't easily recognize when possible.
  • Look for food product labels that list only a few ingredients. For example, frozen corn should just list “corn.”
     

Get more nutrition tips


Did you know? New Yorkers using SNAP can get up to $10 a day in matching funds to buy eligible fruits, vegetables, and beans at participating supermarkets!

Build Healthier Habits

Do you feel stuck in a cycle of negative behaviors? Habits are a part of life, but we may not want to keep ones that we’ve built up over time. Changing unhealthy habits can be difficult and frustrating, but not impossible. Here are just some ways you can break the cycle.

 

The Great Indoors

When the weather outside is frightful or you just want to get out of the house, NYC’s indoor spaces can be delightful. Check out these great places to warm up, explore your city, and connect with others.

Please note that hours and visitor rules may vary, so make sure to check with the site before you go.

Click on a location type to explore:

Museums

Many of NYC’s museums and galleries offer free or pay-what-you wish admission on select days or hours. Library card holders can also use Culture Pass to get free tickets.
 

Explore museums


Don’t miss

Historic Houses

Travel back in time to experience how New Yorkers from the past lived in their homes.
 

Explore historic houses


Don’t miss

  • Alice Austen House, a Victorian Gothic cottage and LGBTQ historic site showcasing groundbreaking photography
  • Satchmo’s glam mirrored bathroom and the mid-century modern cool of the Louis Armstrong House
  • The faux-marble grand foyer of Gracie Mansion, New York’s "little White House"
Libraries

Libraries aren’t only for books! They are truly community hubs where you can participate in free classes, events, artmaking, game nights, and other activities.
 

Find a library


Don’t miss

Older Adult Centers

New York City has over 300 older adult centers (formerly known as senior centers) for New Yorkers aged 60 and up. Older adult centers provide more than free meals—they’re places to socialize, stay active, and find community.

Group transportation is offered at select centers if you don’t have access to transportation and can’t use public transportation.
 

Find an older adult center

Work and Study Spaces

Tired of working at home or just want to get out of the house and find a quiet place to cozy up with a good book?

Libraries, of course, are ideal for quiet study and reading. Branches offer free Wi-Fi and low-cost printing, copying, and scanning. Many also have designated areas for research and study, including reading rooms, cubicles, meeting rooms, and computer labs.

Our favorite workspaces in libraries include:

Find a library


Public computer centers offer access to free Wi-Fi, computer labs, and devices. You can find them in select libraries, recreation centers, and community centers. 
 

Find a computer center


Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS) are open areas on private property for everyone to enjoy. Some are indoors and offer seating and tables where you can read, study, and work.

Popular indoor POPS include:

  • The Winter Garden
  • Olympic Tower
  • The David Rubenstein Atrium
     

Find a POPS

Play Spaces

Kids going stir-crazy? Here are some ideas for families to get out of the house and burn off energy indoors.

Free Play

Libraries, museums, and community centers offer many opportunities for structured and unstructured play indoors. Open play is a great way to develop motor skills, spark creativity, and make new friends.

Don’t miss

Recreation Centers

Recreation centers are great places to meet up with friends and have fun. From game rooms to basketball clinics, there’s something for everyone. And best of all, membership is free for anyone under 18.
 

Explore recreation centers

 

Let it Snow

Snow Before You Go!

Snowy winter scene with trails left by pedestrians in the snow in Union Square as a blizzard overtakes Union Square

Winter is coming, weather we like it or not. Be prepared!

  • Browse our Snow page to learn about snow procedures, advisories, and City service status during winter storms.
  • View the interactive PlowNYC map to see plowing progress in real-time.
  • Sign up for NotifyNYC to get alerts by email, text, or phone.

Sleet Dreams Are Made of This

Snow plow clearing a street

Teamwork makes the dream work! We can all pitch in to get through winter storms.

 

Homelessness

The City and its not-for-profit partners address street homelessness, provide safe temporary shelter, and connect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to sustainable housing.

You can help people experiencing homelessness, especially during the winter season.

  • The City offers services to people living on the streets, in the subway, or in other public places. Learn how to request help for a homeless person on our Homeless Assistance page.
  • Through the Pathway Home Program, individuals and families can get financial help to move out of homeless shelters and stay with family members or friends until they can move into a home of their own.

 


 
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Code Blue

When the temperature is 32 degrees or lower, including wind chill values, Code Blue is in effect. During Code Blue, outreach teams check on people who live on the streets and in the subway more frequently.

 

    Love Is in the Air

    piggy bank with lights

    Couple holding red umbrella walking in Central Park in snowGo Out Together

    Winter is here and so are these sweet date ideas to enjoy the best city around.

    Make it Official

    So, you made it here, huh? Congratulations!

    Learn about getting a marriage license, one of the required documents to get married in New York State.

    And, visit NYC Cupid to schedule an appointment to:

     
    Fun Fact Icon

    Did you know?

    You can have your wedding ceremony at a city park! NYC Parks just requires a Special Events permit to do so.

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