Christmas in New York City

Are you coming to NYC for the holidays? Awesome! Here is a collection of Christmas events, trees and decorations landmarks in the city. Please note that all of these are completely free and you don't need to pay for a special tour to see them. You can visit the famous Dyker Heights Christmas Lights, for example, by simply taking the subway. The address is holiday lights displays from 82nd to 85th Street, between 10th and 13th Avenues, Brooklyn. How to get here from Manhattan: Take the subway, D train to 79 Street Station in Brooklyn and then walk about 15 minutes to 82nd Street and 10th Avenue. Before you go: This is an outdoor activity, so check the weather forecast, and look for a day with the warmest weather for this trip. Price: $5.50 for the subway, roundtrip, everything else is FREE of charge. Here is a live video from this beautiful neighborhood:

Of course, attending the lighting ceremony of the Rockafeller Center Christmas tree is very high on the "to-do list" of many people. Please note that is you want to attend the ceremony you should arrive early. Otherwise, this is what you should expect:

You can also go see the Christmas tree when it arrives at Rockefeller Center. It's much less crowded and you might even get some souvenirs from the famous tree:

Whether you decide to join the ceremony or not, you should definitely save a spot in your schedule to visit this place. Rockafeller Center is wonderful throughout the year and a pure magic during Christmas time:

And, while you are at Rockafeller Center, be sure to join the Winter Palace light show at the east end of the Channel Gardens projected on Saks Fifth Avenue:


If it's snowing you should take it as a cue to put on your warmest coat, go out and explore the city, because there is nothing more spectacular than seeing NYC with all her Christmas decorations covered in white:

Actually, sometimes, it is so cold in here that even the famous Bryant Park Fountain freezes over:

There is a Christmas hub between Radio City, Rockafeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and Bryant Park and you can include them all in the same walk. You can start at the red ornaments and Radio City Christmas tree, walk to Rockafeller Center, Saks and south on Fifth Avenue to the NYPL and end your tour with a cup of hot chocolate at Bryant Park:


Here are some more Christmas landmarks and events in NYC:
Tavern on the Green in Central Park

Macy’s Holiday Windows

Empire State Building

Columbus Circle Stars

Wall Street Christmas Tree

Washington Square Park Christmas Tree

Secret Pet Christmas Tree at Central Park
Every year people from the community choose a tree in Central Park and decorate it with photos of their beloved pets that passed away. The location is kept secret. When the holidays are over, all the decorations are removed from the tree and stored until next year. You can find more details about this tree on the internet, but you can’t find it’s location there. As a respect for the community, I also am not disclosing it’s location.

Christmas Carols at Gramercy Park

Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center

Union Square Winter Market

Madison Square Park Christmas Tree

Lotte Palace Christmas Tree and a Christmas recommended walk

Christmas at Bloomingdales

If you are looking for more Christmas suggestions, you are very welcome to join the Facebook groups: 'My Christmas in New York' and 'What to do in New York'.

Shoshi The Tourist

This weekend I took Shoshi to a photoshoot in the city. First stop was Union Square station, were we waited to one of the yellow line trains. 

To me, the subway is one of the city's most interesting and photogenic spots. The people waiting for the train represent a wide verity of cultures and styles. Also, dogs on the subway are not a common sight and Shoshi is exceptionally cute. The only down side was the low light conditions, but l already decided to embrace the graininess of photographing at high ISO.   

When the train came, Shoshi was very cooperative; during the ride she held her head high above her carrier and curiously examined the area. Shoshi is a people magnet and whenever I take her photos, if I also manage to get people into the frame, at least one of them will be looking at her. Obviously, some people can't fight the urge and get too close to her in the middle of the photoshoot. This presents a good opportunity to catch poeple's genuine excitement from meeting Shoshi for the first time.

We got off at Times Square station and headed to the frozen fountain at Bryant Park. The fountain is absolutely spectacular and together with the skating rink and the decorated Christmas tree they create a festive winter atmosphere at the park. I took so many beautiful and funny photos of Shoshi there, that it is hard to choose just one. One of my favorites was this one, with the look I got from Shoshi when it was time to go to a different location. I had the exact same feelings :)

From Bryant Park we headed to Times Square and stopped for a quick photo with the giant American flag. Shoshi is a proud American, so immediately I was able to get a nice photo of her with the flag.

The red stairs was our last and final spot, but I'm ending this post with a photo taken at 49 street subway station. I love the red bricks in the background and how the man's jacket is in a matching color.

I had a great time with Shoshi during the photoshoot and I would like to thank her proud (and sometimes worried) parents, Tal and Liel, for their cooperation.