Christmas in New York is such an amazing time. The snow is falling, holiday tunes are playing, colorful lights shine from every corner. From our big cities to our small towns, every place in the Empire State celebrates Christmas in its own unique way. Here are seven of our favorite cities that have a particularly festive atmosphere during the holiday season.
- Corning
Corning’s Gaffer District/Facebook Come wintertime, Corning is a particularly special place. In fact, the “Crystal City” was ranked one of the best Christmas towns in the country by Country Living magazine. (You can check out the full list here.) The Gaffer District’s annual Parade of Lights is a beautiful sight to see. The Corning Museum of Glass even has a tree made of 2,000 hand-blown glass ornaments. You can check out a schedule of upcoming events on the Corning-Southern Finger Lakes holiday page. Corning, NY 14830, USA
- North Pole
Santa’s Workshop, North Pole, NY/Facebook That’s right, we’ve got a North Pole right here in New York! Just as you’d expect, this is an amazing place to celebrate Christmas. This hamlet in Wilmington is right in the Adirondacks and looks like a picture perfect town from a Hallmark movie. The town features Santa’s Workshop, an absolutely delightful spot, particularly for kids. There are shows, characters to meet (including Santa!), parades, and nativity pageants. Find out more on their website. North Pole, Wilmington, NY 12997, USA
- New York City
Terry Ballard/Flickr No list of the best places to celebrate Christmas in New York would be complete without the Big Apple. There’s a reason it’s often the setting for Christmas movies. With lights galore, shows all around, and an 80-foot tree in Rockefeller Plaza, the city that never sleeps is a fantastic place to enjoy Christmas in New York. New York, NY, USA
- Cooperstown
This Is Cooperstown, NY/Facebook Cooperstown is a great small town with so much to offer. It’s famous for being the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, but there’s a lot more to explore here, especially at Christmas. There are some great locally-owned shops to check out, and you won’t want to miss the caroling shows and candlelit tours put on by the Farmers’ Museum. Cooperstown, NY 13326, USA
- Skaneateles
Skaneateles Skaneateles has a population of around 8,000, but it can hold its own with just about any city in the country when it comes to holiday spirit. Their annual Dickens Christmas event is a blast, and there are lots of local shops to support. Find out more info and the schedule on the town’s website. Skaneateles, NY 13152, USA
- Lake Placid
Lake Placid There’s a lot to do in Lake Placid around Christmas! The site is most famous for hosting the 1980 Winter Olympics, so it’s the perfect winter day trip in New York. You can enjoy ice skating, skiing, an array of wonderful restaurants and shops, and more. They have all kinds of activities planned for the season. Check out the city’s website for a schedule. Lake Placid, NY 12946, USA
- Ellicottville
Ellicottville Ellicottville is a darling little village in western New York that is a perfect spot for skiing. The downtown area is so cute and has lots of shops to explore. Check out why this place is called the Aspen of the East. Ellicottville, NY 14731, USA
Did we miss your favorite town for celebrating Christmas in New York? Share yours in the comments!
Christmas in New York is such an amazing time. The snow is falling, holiday tunes are playing, colorful lights shine from every corner. From our big cities to our small towns, every place in the Empire State celebrates Christmas in its own unique way. Here are seven of our favorite cities that have a particularly festive atmosphere during the holiday season.
Christmas in New York is such an amazing time. The snow is falling, holiday tunes are playing, colorful lights shine from every corner. From our big cities to our small towns, every place in the Empire State celebrates Christmas in its own unique way. Here are seven of our favorite cities that have a particularly festive atmosphere during the holiday season.
Corning’s Gaffer District/Facebook
Come wintertime, Corning is a particularly special place. In fact, the “Crystal City” was ranked one of the best Christmas towns in the country by Country Living magazine. (You can check out the full list here.) The Gaffer District’s annual Parade of Lights is a beautiful sight to see. The Corning Museum of Glass even has a tree made of 2,000 hand-blown glass ornaments. You can check out a schedule of upcoming events on the Corning-Southern Finger Lakes holiday page.
Corning, NY 14830, USA
Santa’s Workshop, North Pole, NY/Facebook
That’s right, we’ve got a North Pole right here in New York! Just as you’d expect, this is an amazing place to celebrate Christmas. This hamlet in Wilmington is right in the Adirondacks and looks like a picture perfect town from a Hallmark movie. The town features Santa’s Workshop, an absolutely delightful spot, particularly for kids. There are shows, characters to meet (including Santa!), parades, and nativity pageants. Find out more on their website.
North Pole, Wilmington, NY 12997, USA
Terry Ballard/Flickr
No list of the best places to celebrate Christmas in New York would be complete without the Big Apple. There’s a reason it’s often the setting for Christmas movies. With lights galore, shows all around, and an 80-foot tree in Rockefeller Plaza, the city that never sleeps is a fantastic place to enjoy Christmas in New York.
New York, NY, USA
This Is Cooperstown, NY/Facebook
Cooperstown is a great small town with so much to offer. It’s famous for being the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, but there’s a lot more to explore here, especially at Christmas. There are some great locally-owned shops to check out, and you won’t want to miss the caroling shows and candlelit tours put on by the Farmers’ Museum.
Cooperstown, NY 13326, USA
Skaneateles
Skaneateles has a population of around 8,000, but it can hold its own with just about any city in the country when it comes to holiday spirit. Their annual Dickens Christmas event is a blast, and there are lots of local shops to support. Find out more info and the schedule on the town’s website.
Skaneateles, NY 13152, USA
Lake Placid
There’s a lot to do in Lake Placid around Christmas! The site is most famous for hosting the 1980 Winter Olympics, so it’s the perfect winter day trip in New York. You can enjoy ice skating, skiing, an array of wonderful restaurants and shops, and more. They have all kinds of activities planned for the season. Check out the city’s website for a schedule.
Lake Placid, NY 12946, USA
Ellicottville
Ellicottville is a darling little village in western New York that is a perfect spot for skiing. The downtown area is so cute and has lots of shops to explore. Check out why this place is called the Aspen of the East.
Ellicottville, NY 14731, USA
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