A Close Look into Midtown and the Upper West Side’s Winter Holiday Traditions

by Rachel Landesman

The holiday seasons are approaching, and it can be hard for many college students to celebrate family-oriented holidays alone in New York City. Luckily, Manhattan offers holiday markets and events at every corner, helping New Yorkers experience the holiday spirit even as they complete everyday commutes to work or school. Lit-up trees and decorated storefront windows transform the city into a winter wonderland that is admired by all, regardless of background. New York proudly lives up to its title as the cultural capital of the world by celebrating a variety of religious holidays, creating a blend of rich traditions that is uniquely New York. Every year, thousands of New Yorkers celebrate Christmas at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, while the Museum of Natural History holds annual festivals on Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. Many of these events occur in Midtown and the Upper West Side, which may seem like unlikely places to celebrate the holidays due to their busy feel. However, their size makes tourists and native New Yorkers spending the winter in the city feel as though they are celebrating together with millions of people. Take a trip to Midtown and the Upper West Side this holiday season, and take part in the variety of festivals and events that offer holiday revelers of all religious backgrounds a chance to celebrate with friends and strangers alike. For a dose of cozy holiday spirit, I recommend paying a visit to the Fête de Noël (holiday markets) at Bryant Park, an outdoor market with French Christmas kiosks. I remember visiting the market and delighting in the quaint hot chocolate shops sandwiched in between small booths selling hand-knitted scarves and stocking stuffers. The environment is warm and friendly, and stepping into booths with handmade goods made by local artisans transported me worlds away from the bustle of New York City. This year, over 170 kiosks will be sampling everything from jewelry, to folk art, to s’mores drinks. After a long afternoon of shopping, warm up at The Lodge, an outdoor covered area that offers cocktails, delicious food, and a direct view of the skating rink. Additionally, the market is offering an opportunity to support our local businesses with their small business spotlight, an initiative that highlights four NYCbased minority-owned businesses. The Market is open until March 6th, so you have plenty of time to visit and enjoy!

Right across the street, a 79-foot-tall Christmas tree will take center stage at Rockefeller Center. The annual tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 1st, and is expected to attract thousands of New Yorkers who want to experience the magic of Christmas in the heart of Manhattan. New York City will also be lit up with Hanukkah lights this December. The Grand Army Plaza will compete for the title of world’s largest Hanukkah menorah by lighting a 32-foot-high and 4,000-pound steel menorah. The menorah lighting will occur at the same time in the Army Base location in Brooklyn, and will be followed by festive music and warm latkes! After experiencing the traditional candle lighting ceremony, observe the delicious Hanukkah tradition of eating sufganiyot, powdered jelly-filled doughnuts. You can pick up this holiday treat at Breads Bakery and the Doughnut Plant, where flavors range from classic strawberry jam to caramel and cookies and cream. Also in December, join the Museum of Natural History in celebrating Kwanzaa, a seven-day celebration with roots in the African Diaspora. The museum’s annual Kwanzaa festival hosts a variety of events that celebrate culture, creativity, and community. The festival kicks off with a marketplace that showcases the work of local artisans. After some shopping, participate in a discussion of the core values of Kwanzaa accompanied by drummers from the Sanga of the Valley. Finally, there will be a performance by the Afro-Cuban experimental dance ensemble Oyu-Oro. This holiday season, experience the true holiday tradition of New York City: shared values and culture. Allow New Yorkers to become your family, and enjoy new festivals and experiences that will help you create holiday traditions for years to come.

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