NYC Christmas Tours

All four experiences offer something special! If it’s your first Christmas in New York, our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour is a wonderful starting point, taking you to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Fifth Avenue and other iconic holiday sights.

For a truly magical early-morning experience, choose Rockefeller Center at 5 AM: Beat the Crowds. Love spectacular Christmas lights? Dyker Heights is a must! And for a different side of Manhattan, our Holiday Spirit Tour explores Hudson Yards, Lower Manhattan and the festive 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar.

Our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour is a three-hour experience exploring Midtown’s most famous Christmas landmarks, finishing at Marco’s Christmas Restaurant, where guests can enjoy an optional reserved Italian dining experience.

Rockefeller Center at 5 AM: Beat the Crowds is a two-hour early-morning adventure departing at 4:30 AM. You’ll see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lights switch on for the day at 5 AM and explore Midtown before the crowds arrive. This tour doesn’t include a restaurant visit, and return transportation to Times Square is included.

Both are wonderful ways to experience Christmas in Manhattan, each with its own special atmosphere!

Absolutely! Many of our guests join us for two or more experiences to discover even more of New York’s Christmas magic.

Dyker Heights and Holiday Spirit explore very different neighborhoods, making them wonderful additions to either morning tour. Our two morning experiences share some famous Midtown landmarks but offer completely different atmospheres and experiences.

All Christmas tours depart from our Times Square meeting point:

220 W 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

You’ll find us in front of Starbucks on West 45th Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, underneath the pedestrian passage of the New York Marriott Marquis and across from Junior’s Restaurant.

Look for our team holding a yellow umbrella! We’re easy to spot and always happy to help you find your way.

Please arrive 15–20 minutes before your scheduled departure to check in comfortably. You’ll also receive the complete meeting instructions in your booking confirmation, including pictures of the meeting point.

Our scheduled public tours depart from Times Square, so hotel pickup is not included. Fortunately, the meeting point is centrally located and easy to reach from many Midtown hotels.

For larger groups of around 20 guests or more, a private tour with personalized arrangements may be a good option. Feel free to contact Marco and Dora at info@discovernyc.tours to discuss what’s possible.

All four experiences combine comfortable transportation with guided walking stops, allowing you to enjoy New York’s Christmas sights up close without having to walk the entire route.

Most stops involve relatively short walks, while our Dyker Heights Tour includes approximately one hour exploring the beautifully decorated neighborhood on foot.

We recommend comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing so you can fully enjoy the experience, whatever the December weather brings!

Tours are generally scheduled to operate in rain, snow or sunshine. New York winter weather can change quickly, so wear warm layers, gloves and comfortable weather-resistant shoes.

Should severe conditions require an operational change, affected guests will be contacted using the details provided with their booking.

You can cancel free of charge up to five days before departure and receive reimbursement of the ticket price. The service fee is non-refundable.

With the optional Premium Cancellation Protection, the cancellation deadline is extended to three days before departure. The ticket price will be reimbursed, while the service fee and the cost of the Premium Cancellation Protection remain non-refundable.

Because popular December departures can sell out, we recommend booking once your dates are confirmed. The cancellation policy allows you to secure your preferred tour while retaining flexibility if your plans change.

We want everyone to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience. However, our tours include walking, getting on and off vehicles, and navigating busy or occasionally uneven New York sidewalks.

Some experiences may therefore not be suitable for guests with significant mobility limitations or wheelchair users, depending on the vehicle and route.

If you have any concerns, please contact Marco and Dora before booking. We’ll be happy to explain the requirements of each tour so you can make an informed decision.

The Christmas Morning Tour finishes at Marco’s Christmas Restaurant, where guests can choose to add an exclusive reserved dining experience.

Dining is optional and must be selected when booking. A $15 per person prepayment secures your reserved table for up to 1.5 hours and is fully credited toward your final restaurant bill.

Guests can enjoy a special two-course menu for $39 per person, before tax and gratuity. The remaining balance is paid directly at the restaurant.

Each tour has its own carefully planned finale:

• Christmas Morning in Manhattan: Marco’s Christmas Restaurant, just a 3-minutes walk from Rockefeller Center. Dining is optional.
• Rockefeller Center at 5 AM: Beat the Crowds: Return transportation to Times Square is included.
• Dyker Heights, DUMBO & Hot Chocolate: Bryant Park Winter Village, where you can continue enjoying the festive atmosphere.
• Holiday Spirit in Manhattan: 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, with VIP entry for eligible guests aged 21 and over.

The expected finishing time, location and any tour-specific arrangements are also provided on the individual tour page and in your booking confirmation.

We recommend booking as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. In previous years, our Christmas tours and departure times have started selling out from the beginning of October, especially for December weekends and the busiest holiday weeks.

Booking early gives you the best choice of tour, departure time and vehicle option. You still retain flexibility through our cancellation policy: free cancellation is available up to five days before departure, or up to three days before departure with Premium Cancellation Protection.