Looking for what to do in NYC today, or this week, or this weekend (12/2-12/8)? There's tons of things to do in New York, like festivals, pop ups, photo ops, and more. We've got the full roundup of New York activities here.

• Things to do in NYC this weekend
• Cultural things to do in NYC
• Immersive things to do in NYC
• Even more things to do in NYC
• Live performances this week in NYC

THINGS TO DO IN NYC THIS WEEK AND WEEKEND

LIGHTS FESTIVAL

Photo ops will be everywhere you turn at Koda’s Adventure to the Magical Forest, now open at Citi Field in Flushing. In addition to the luminous art, the Tianyu Lights Festival features live music and dance, a marketplace, and refreshments at the Forest Food Court.

THE WINTERVERSE

Uncover magical worlds transformed by winter, from snow-covered forests to interactive winter installations, as The Winterverse returns to immersive space INTER_. The photo ops will be endless.

BRIDGERTON ON STRINGS

Everyone's favorite Netflix take on Regency-era high society is getting the Candlelight treatment. St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church is the magical setting for the live music performance Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings. Look for shows on Thursday, December 5th, Thursday, December 12th, and Thursday, December 19th, with more to come in January.

NEW RINK

Brooklyn's newest open space has just launched a fresh place to carve the ice. New rink Skate at Domino Park is open daily, with haute pizza and Cuban street food joining the scene soon.

HOLIDAY POP UP

Turbo charge the start of the holiday season in the over-the-top surrounds of the Holly Jolly Bar. Saint NYC does the hosting, decking its halls with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, trimmings, and general holiday magic. On-theme bites and cocktails complete the scene.

MUSEUM OF THE WEEK

Alvaro Keding/© AMNH.

An annual holiday tradition, the Natural History Museum's Origami Holiday Tree, has opened for the season. This year's theme is Jumping for Joy, celebrating animals that leap in elaborate folded forms. (While you're there, you can check out exhibitions running from The Secret World of Elephants to Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry.)

HOLIDAY ROLLER RINK

This winter season you can glide under the stunning ceiling of the Oculus to a festive holiday soundtrack. The Winter Whirl Roller Rink presented by Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is back, running Wednesdays through Sundays into early January.

PALEYLAND

The Paley Museum's annual holiday extravaganza PaleyLand has launched. Highlights include photo ops with Santa, meet-and-greets with holiday characters, screenings, a gaming studio, free hot chocolate, and a magical holiday train.

TINGLE BELLS

Head to the historic boiler room of Chelsea Market to experience the immersive space ARTECHOUSE, NYC’s original home for digital art. The latest show here is Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special. Drawing on the relaxation that comes from Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) stimuli, go on a seasonal retreat that blends nostalgic holiday warmth with cutting-edge digital art.

ART CARNIVAL

Big-time art meets amusement park vibes in the unlikely installation Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy. Now open at The Shed at Hudson Yards, the exhibition features a Ferris wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat and immersive pavilions by David Hockney, Salvador Dalí, and Roy Lichtenstein. That the art even survived is random luck—originally displayed in 1987, the pieces were forgotten for decades in storage in Texas.

NEW IMMERSIVE

Taking inspiration from the Korean Winter Solstice, light installation STARSCAPE transports guests through the longest night of the year in a multi-sensory experience. Genesis House does the hosting, showing off the celestial work of award-winning creative director and production designer Ethan Tobman.

SEASONAL POP UP

Ice skating and holiday cocktails come together at Jingle Jangle at The Dead Rabbit, a new seasonal pop up. There are Irish-inspired bites and over-the-top holiday interiors, matched by Brooklyn and East River views outside on the Rooftop at Pier 17.

LIGHTSCAPE

Winter Cathedral by Mandylights, returning for Lightscape 2024. Photo by Liz Ligon, courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

For the fourth year, the grounds of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are transformed into a dream world of light and music for Lightscape. Stroll along the pathways—ideally with a Kahlúa-laced hot chocolate—and immerse yourself in mesmerizing forays into illuminated art.

HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW

Photo: Robert Benson.

For the 33rd year, The New York Botanical Garden lays out the tracks for its Holiday Train Show. Explore a miniature wonderland of 175 New York landmarks—including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Rockefeller Center—all made with natural ingredients. Select evenings are open for food, drinks, and seasonal soundtracks during Holiday Train Nights.

HOLIDAY MARKET

Image: Jacob Williamson.

The Union Square Holiday Market is New York City’s longest running market, with over 175 vendors. It's open now, bringing an eclectic array of holiday gifts, plus new vendors like Birria LES, Curds the Word, Mama’s Cupboard, and Chocolate on Tap.

SEASONS OF NYC

Madame Tussauds New York is the only place with no ropes or barriers holding you back from your favorite stars. The attraction has just launched its new immersive “Seasons of New York City” experience. You can kick up your heels with the Radio City Rockettes, pose under cherry blossoms with Selena Gomez, make your own wax hand at Andy Warhol’s famous Factory, and soak in the diva energy with Mariah Carey, wearing her 2020 “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas” sparkling red gown.

NEW ROOFTOP!

The Fireman Hospitality Group has just launched its latest, the chic French brasserie Paris Bar. Look for traditional French favorites like beef bourguignon alongside fresh seafood offerings. Pro tip: the roof is home to Le Jardin Rooftop Bar, a serene escape that offers panoramic views of Central Park.

SEASONAL POP UP

Great Jones Distilling Co. is Manhattan’s first and only whiskey distillery since Prohibition. Make the most of the season as the venue’s Whiskey Wonderland has returned. Look for a holiday speakeasy with cold-weather cocktails, inspired decor, and a seasonal menu with bites like buttered pretzels and chocolate fondue.

WINTER WONDERLAND

Look for candy cane hallways, Mrs. Claus’ Candy Bar, Santa’s Game Room, seasonal bites and tipples, and heated glasshouses with panoramic views as Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Watermark returns. Pier 15 does the hosting—photo ops with a certain North Pole eminence are included.

VESSEL IS BACK

Photo: Kathleen Corless, courtesy Vessel.

Visitors are once again invited to climb the 154 flights of Vessel. River and city views will greet you along the way, in addition to new safety features (Vessel had been closed since 2021). Hours are 10am-9pm daily, admission is $10, free for NYC residents on Thursdays.

WINTER VILLAGE

Nobody told the forecast but the winter pop up season has begun, with Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park now going strong. The admission-free rink is open, along with the rinkside food hall and over 170 vendors in the holiday shops.

NEW IMMERSIVE

The Pyramids of Giza have arrived in NYC. Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive VR Expedition to Ancient Egypt takes visitors on a journey through pyramids, hieroglyphs, forbidden corridors, and other elements of the reign of King Khufu (a.k.a. Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Cheops, who lived 2589–2566 BCE). 

SQUID GAME: THE EXPERIENCE

Squid Game meets real life (with some modifications) at this new immersive. Find out if you can outsmart the Young-hee doll in Red Light Green Light, among multiple challenges. (There's also a Korean-inspired Night Market with merch, photo stations, and soju-infused cocktails.)

SISTINE CHAPEL IMMERSIVE

Vatican City meets Industry City as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition opens in Brooklyn. Immerse yourself in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes. Engage with every detail, brushstroke, and color up close, from “The Creation of Adam” to “The Last Judgment.”

SPOOKY SEASON LIGHT TRAIL

Image: LETSGO COMPANY, Creative Director: Felype de Lima, Illustrator: Borja Arrufat.

Join Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero on a walk of wonders at the world premiere of  Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. The spectacle is up for a nine-week run at The New York Botanical Garden. Through December 1st.

TATTOOS (AND TOURS!)

Daredevil Tattoo Shop & Museum specializes in custom tattooing, with artists versatile in all styles, whether it’s a first tattoo or a full sleeve. The location is just a few blocks from the birthplace of modern tattooing. The first professional tattooer was Martin Hildebrandt (active since at least 1858) and the Daredevil collection includes photos and ephemera from two of his most notable clients, the first American tattooed man and tattooed lady. In addition to other historic artwork on display, there’s a Thomas Edison perforating pen, and a special display on “Liberty the Tattooed Lady.” The museum is free to visit and is part of the shop. (Proprietor Michelle Myles is not only a tattoo artist, she’s also a licensed NYC tour guide and offers walking tours focused on the tattoo history of the Bowery and the Lower East Side.)

SATIN DOLLZ

Photo by: Joshua Kessler.

Vintage pin-up-inspired performers The Satin Dollz are once again hosting enchanted evenings at the USA Brooklyn Delicatessen in Times Square. Drawing on the timeless classics of the ‘40s and ‘50s, the Satin Dollz give a high-energy performance as they weave their way through the aisles while you dig into first-rate comfort food. Expect plenty of sizzle and sass. Show nights are weekly, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, no cover charge.

NEW IMMERSIVE INSTALLATION

Image: INTER_.

SoHo/Tribeca’s interactive art space INTER_ presents two floors of otherworldly environments. Be among the first to explore the newest installation here: The INTERnet. In collaboration with The Treenet Collective, 80,000 feet of hand-woven rope now floats over the space. Guests are invited to jump, climb, relax, and get lost, taking in the artwork from within.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN

Madame Tussauds New York pulls back the curtain for a behind-the-scenes tour, newly launched. For the first time ever you can access the attraction's studio and see the work that goes into making and maintaining the world's most famous wax figures. You'll see the intricate painting and sculpting process (every single hair has to be set in by hand), plus a look at clothes and accessories—many straight from celebrity closets!

PERFECT CRIME

Perfect Crime is NYC's longest-running play. It's a funny, sexy whodunit centering on Margaret Brent, a wealthy psychiatrist accused of offing her husband, and the handsome detective who’s falling in love with her while investigating the crime. (The show is cited in Guinness World Records for its leading femme fatale, Catherine Russell, dubbing her the “Cal Ripken of Broadway” for playing all but four shows since opening night!)

DINNER AND A SHOW

Italian favorite Bond 45 is now also the home of legendary comedy club Stand Up NY. Take advantage of a new “Dinner and Show” package, with a three-course prix fixe highlighted by house signatures like Nonna’s Shortrib Meatballs, Famous Chicken Parmigiana, and chocolate blackout cake. After the meal, head downstairs for premium seating for live comedy.

BANKSY MUSEUM

Image courtesy the Banksy Museum.

He may be anonymous, but he's one of the world's most famous artists. The world's largest collection of Banksy’s life-sized murals and artwork is now open in NYC. An immersive experience, the Banksy Museum also features some of the artist's studio work, animated visual elements, and videos.

GRAND HOLIDAY BAZAAR

This Sunday don't miss Grand Bazaar NYC's Grand Holiday Bazaar. (There are two more, for Sundays the 15th and 22nd.) Tick off your holiday shopping list with fashion, handbags, vintage collectibles, jewelry, candles, skincare, antiques, and handmade seasonal decorations. Come hungry! There are great artisanal bites as well. 10am-5pm.

CULTURAL THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Installation view courtesy of Illusion Projects. Photo: Jason Harper Photography.

Barbie has held a place of prominence in pop culture since her 1959 debut, although it seems like she's never been bigger than now. Explore her history through 250 vintage dolls, life-size fashion designs, ads, and video at the new exhibition Barbie^®: A Cultural Icon. The show is now open at the Museum of Arts and Design.

Image: Darren Cox

Disney has been a central part of the Broadway landscape since Beauty and the Beast debuted in 1994. To commemorate the anniversary, The Museum of Broadway has opened a special exhibit in partnership with the Disney Theatrical Group. Disney on Broadway: 30 Years of Magic features memorabilia and costumes from icons like Elsa, Mary Poppins, and Genie. You can also immerse yourself in current hit shows The Lion King and Aladdin (be transported to The Cave of Wonders) through interactive photo experiences. The exhibition makes a perfect excuse to check out this one-of-a-kind institution, with three floors of sets and costumes showcasing Broadway’s illustrious past and present.

Greek. Wreath (details), 3rd–2nd century B.C.E. Gold. Brooklyn Museum; Gift of George D. Pratt, 26.763. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum.)

The Brooklyn Museum celebrates its 200th anniversary with the new exhibition Solid Gold. Enter an immersion across time and cultures through one of humanity’s most dazzling obsessions. There's plenty of fashion represented here among 500 works in total.

Panorama image: Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr

The Queens Museum has launched A Billion Dollar Dream: The 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair on its 60th Anniversary, a snapshot of an unforgettable NYC moment. (While you're out there, don't miss the Panorama of the City of New York, commissioned for the 1964 World’s Fair by Robert Moses. It's the largest model of New York City ever made, including 895,000 structures—every building in the five boroughs as it was before 1992.)

Yäma Munuŋgirritj, ca. 1920–1987, Yarrwiḏi-Gumatj clan. Gurruŋawuy, 1961. Natural pigments on  bark. H. 28 x W. 15 in. (71.1 x 38.1 cm). Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Edward L. Ruhe Collection, Gift of John W. Kluge, 1997. 1993.0004.041.

Take advantage of a rare look at Aboriginal Australian bark painting curated by Yolŋu knowledge holders from Arnhem Land in Northern Australia. Now open at Asia society is Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, a new exhibition that serves both the sacred and the beautiful. The art represents eras from 1935 to the present, including 33 new works commissioned especially for the exhibition.

"Greetings from New York," 1940s, published in New York City by Manhattan Post Card Publishing Co., Inc., Leonard A. Lauder Postcard Archive. Promised gift to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Art Deco is on deck at the Museum of the City of New York. Now open is Art Deco City: New York Postcards from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection, a new exhibition that shows off the stylish exuberance of the city as it transformed into an international capital.

Photo by Linda Sheridan.

How do elephants “hear” with their feet, use the 16 muscles in their trunks, or reshape the forests and savannas they live in? The Secret World of Elephants, a new interactive exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History, explores the astounding minds, bodies, and interactions of the Earth's largest land mammals.

Image Credit: Courtesy of SK Films.

The American Museum of Natural History has a new offering on the giant screen. The 40-foot-high, 66-foot-wide projection in the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Theater is now showing Turtle Odyssey. Russell Crowe narrates the journey of an Australian green sea turtle named Bunji as she grows from a hatchling into adulthood. Screens daily.

In a city where dogs seem to be prancing down every street corner, and napping by every outdoor table, it’s no surprise that there’s an entire museum dedicated to them. The permanent collection at the AKC Museum of the Dog includes a treasure trove of dog-related art and artifacts, from watercolors and prints to bronzes and ceramics (including some of the world’s finest porcelain makers, from Royal Doulton to Meissen).

Toyin Ojih Odutola, The Treatment 20, 2015. Pen ink, gel ink, and pencil on paper, 12 × 9 1/16 in. (30.5 × 23 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase with funds from the Drawing Committee 2016.102. © Toyin Ojih Odutola. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

The Whitney is keeping things fresh with a new season of shows. Open now is What It Becomes. New and rarely seen works from the Whitney’s collection spotlight renowned artists like Darrel Ellis, David Hammons, Ana Mendieta, and Catherine Opie. Explore the transformative power of drawing and its ability to reveal the unseen. Through January 12th.

The Museum of Food and Drink is back open, in a new home at Empire Stores in DUMBO. The latest exhibition, Flavor: The World to Your Brain, was designed by food scientists and culinary anthropologists.

Get out in the fresh air on Saturdays and Sundays for weekly walking tours of Sinister Secrets of the Seaport, hosted by the Seaport Museum. Learn the scandals lurking in the cobblestone streets across two centuries. There's also an “Ear for Crime” interactive game and a drink at the bar.

More on NYC museums can be found here.

IMMERSIVE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

New York City is famous for its gala culture. For the first time ever, you can immerse yourself in the scene right in Times Square. The Madame Tussauds flagship holds 19 celebrity figures, including new and never-before-seen wax figures of Ariana Grande and P. Diddy, at the Glow Gala.

THINGS TO DO IN NYC: LIVE PERFORMANCES

LIVE JAZZ

Photo by Lawrence Sumulong.

For world-class musical experiences, head to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s intimate Dizzy’s Club. You’ll find a warm ambiance, a tasty seasonal menu, and panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. There are shows nightly, in addition to Late Night Sessions Thursdays through Saturdays, starting at 11pm.

THE ORIGINAL NYC TALENT SHOW

For coming up on 15 years, The Original NYC Talent Show has stood out as a rare stage experience showing off the eccentric, unparalleled talent native to New York City. A relaunch sees it taking up residence at the Parkside Lounge on Monday nights. The weekly show features artists, musicians, dancers, comedians, and guests who defy classification.

EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO IN NYC

Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash.

After a long Covid pause, the crown of Lady Liberty is once again open to visitors. This icon requires a 162-step climb (there is no elevator) but will reward you with an entirely unique perspective on the city. Along a double-helix spiral staircase you'll see the intricate structure that keeps the statue standing, capped by 25 windows overlooking New York Harbor.

GAME ON

There's a new recreation spot open in the Seaport. Lawn Club's indoor and outdoor games include Bocce, Cornhole, Croquet, Shuffleboard, Beersbee, Kan Jam, and its own exclusive Putting Pool. Dedicated "Lawncierges" facilitate the fun and there are also two bars for food and drink and big-screen TVs.

THE BEAM

Image courtesy of Rockefeller Center.

Rockefeller Center is known for its world-class shopping, dining, art, and architecture. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is here, a New York legend, set into stylish Art Deco surrounds. Open for its 88th season, you can skate between 9am and midnight daily—getting out on the ice amid the city lights is an experience you won’t forget. Look up to the Top of the Rock and one of New York’s most breathtaking views, where three floors of indoor and outdoor decks offer sweeping perspectives on the city. The observatory has two new additions for even more immersion in the skyline. One of the iconic images of New York City is a 1932 photo of 11 ironworkers casually eating lunch atop a steel beam positioned 69 stories in the sky. The shot was taken during construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza and you can pose for a re-creation today. A modern version of The Beam lifts guests 12 feet above the observation deck, rotating to maximize the views.

Another newcomer here is Skylift. A revolving platform rises three stories into the air, for panoramic views of the city and beyond. When you reach the top, Skylift captures your picture set against the backdrop of city landmarks—an ultimate memento.

BUCKET LIST

Ever since its 1931 completion, the Empire State Building has been the most famous skyscraper in the world. It remains a vital part of NYC and an inspiration to the millions who ascend to the ESB observation deck in every season. For a limited time, you can be among the first in the city to see the new day dawning from 86 stories up. The Starbucks Reserve Sunrise Experience, available on Saturday mornings, provides early bird access to the observatory deck. Tickets include Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building Microblend Coffee, artisanal pastries, and views of a lifetime. Perfect for bucket lists!

NEW FROM DAVID BURKE

Midtown’s happy hour landscape just got happier with the launch of Park Ave Kitchen’s version. Presented daily from 4 to 7pm, options range from Carbonara Deviled Eggs to steak frites with unlimited frites, with $9 wines, $12 cocktails and $15 martini flights. The casual cafe side offers a nightly three-course dinner special for $33.99, dine in or take out. (There's also a great $65 pre-theater prix fixe from 4 to 7pm nightly, including Chef Burke signatures like lobster dumplings and bison short ribs.)

A NEW INDO CHINESE MENU!

Woman-owned Utsav Indian Cuisine has been serving NYC fresh and flavorful Indian cuisine for more than twenty years. A recently introduced Indo Chinese menu brings new flavors to Times Square/the Theater District for the first time. You'll find fried rice, noodles, appetizers like chili prawn dry and chicken lollipops, and entrees like fish with hot garlic sauce and lamb with chili soya sauce. (Chefs are trained in the Calcutta style of Chinese food, where the cuisine has its home in India.) Don't miss the new Bengali selection!

HAVANA IN TIMES SQUARE HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL

Havana Central has introduced 1/2 price empanadas during Happy Hour at the bar! Diners must purchase a drink, 3 empanadas max per drink purchase. Available in the bar only, Monday-Friday from 3-7pm. Choose from a variety of homemade savory pockets including beef, chicken, cheese, shrimp, and ropa vieja! Havana Central also features Happy Hour drink specials including $7 classic mojitos, classic margaritas, and red sangria, in addition to other specials.

WHAT TO DO IN NYC

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TALKS, LECTURES, AND EVENTS

Thought Gallery has hundreds of livestream talks, lectures, performances, and more. Check out sessions with celebs, live concerts, and opportunities to learn the latest on everything from science to philosophy to social justice.

We were named an expert in a Rent. article. Check out the featured article: Unique Things to Do in New York City: 8 NYC Must-Dos Off the Beaten Path | Rent.

NEW YORK'S ACTIVITY AUTHORITY

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