Things to Do on Christmas Eve in New York

• The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is one of the primary symbols of Christmas in New York City. Joey Kotfica/Creatas/Getty Images

  New York has countless festive events and activities to chose from on Christmas Eve. In New York City, Christmas lights illuminate the city throughout December, offering an extraordinary holiday atmosphere to both locals and tourists. From viewing the Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center, to Christmas caroling in local neighborhoods and boroughs, if you are in New York on Christmas Eve, you will not lack entertainment.

Rockefeller Center

• If you are in the heart of New York City, you shouldn't miss the famous ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center. This is a much-cherished activity during the Christmas season in the Big Apple. The rink can accommodate up to 150 skaters and the surrounding atmosphere is filled with shoppers and people-watchers. If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, the rink will stay open until 10:30 p.m. If it falls on a weekend night, the rink will stay open until midnight. The Rockefeller ice rink offers skate rentals and even private skating lessons.

Radio City Music Hall

• Watching a performance of the Christmas Spectacular at the Radio Music Hall is an unforgettable Christmas Eve experience. The show, featuring the world-famous Rockettes dancing group, dates back to the 1930s. The Christmas Spectacular plays four times on Christmas Eve and the last performance starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are usually available in the beginning of November.

Window Shopping

• If you want to take in the Christmas spirit without spending money or attending crowded events, consider strolling the snowy New York streets for an afternoon of window-shopping. Whether you are staying at a quiet bed and breakfast in a small town upstate or are enjoying the sprawling avenues in New York City, an afternoon or evening walk can be a perfect Christmas Eve activity for people of all ages. Many shops create elaborate Christmas window displays, coating the storefronts with colorful decorations and moving figurines

Botanical Garden Train Show

• From late November until early January, the New York Botanical Garden's Haupt Conservatory, located in the Bronx, presents a holiday train show for individuals of all ages. Fourteen electric trains zoom through a replica of Manhattan, where 140 New York City landmarks have been created with the use of botanical ingredients. The exhibition is open on Christmas Eve, though if the day falls on a weekend, plan on getting in line early, as between 7,000 and 8,000 visit throughout the day and evening.

St. Patrick's

• The midnight mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, opposite the Rockefeller Center is a celebratory activity for both adults and children. Because of the popularity of the church, which attracts more than 3 million visitors each year, you need tickets to the mass. Plan ahead and send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the following address:

  East Street

  New York, NY 10022

  Attention: Midnight Mass

  You can request up to four tickets. Tickets are filled first come, first serve, though most are gone by early fall. If you have no ticket for the midnight mass but you would like to attend a mass on Christmas Eve, St. Patrick's Cathedral also hosts a children's Christmas Eve mass at 5:30 p.m, which does not require entrance tickets.