Thank Heavens, and Helium<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s a bird! It\u2019s a plane! It\u2019s…Spongebob Squarepants? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know the holiday season is officially on when gigantic (and, ok, slightly terrifying) balloons take over 34th Street. A New York City tradition since 1924, the Macy\u2019s Thanksgiving Day Parade<\/strong><\/a> is back on November 25 with glittering floats, marching bands, giant balloons and, of course, Santa Claus. Early birds are invited to watch the parade in-person on Thanksgiving morning, though fashionably late risers can still catch a glimpse on Thanksgiving Eve during the unofficial \u201cinflation celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the evening, why not indulge in a Thanksgiving feast? New York City is home to some of the world\u2019s best restaurants, from upscale lounges with James Beard-winning chefs, to mom-and-pop eateries serving home-cooked happiness. Gather the family and dig into a prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner like never before. And, if you dare, stay up late to get a leg up on Black Friday shopping. (Pssst…check out our top picks for shopping, dining and more in our latest NYC guide<\/a>!) <\/p>\n\n\n\nFamous Firs & Dazzling Displays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLegend has it that Edward Hibberd Johnson \u2013 an engineer, inventor, and business partner of Thomas Edison \u2013 requested specially-made Edison light bulbs to decorate his Christmas tree in 1882. Adorned with 80 hand-wired bulbs in red, white and blue, the tree was displayed in the window of Johnson\u2019s NYC townhome, setting off a nationwide frenzy for electronically-lit trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our obsession with twinkling evergreens lives on, and New York City boasts some of the most dazzling displays around. Get into the holiday spirit with strolls past the city\u2019s famous firs. In spite of seasonal crowds, Rockefeller Center<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s<\/strong> grandiose tree is truly a sight to behold. For a more low-key, up-close viewing, visit Washington Square<\/strong> or the Seaport District<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> You might be surprised to find trees inside of city\u2019s museums, too. Check out the 50th annual origami tree at the American Museum of Natural History<\/strong><\/a>, and the beautiful nativity scene on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/li><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNot to be outdone by a measly ol\u2019 tree, the New York Botanical Garden<\/strong><\/a> ups the ante with GLOW<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, an immersive holiday installation featuring thousands of LED lights. Grab a hot cocoa and wander through 1.5 miles of brilliant lights illuminating the Garden\u2019s exotic plants and historic buildings. From November through January, GLOW<\/em> will also present artistic ice sculpting, a foodie-favorite pop-up with Bronx Night Market<\/strong>, and a holiday gift shop with funky plants to surprise your green-thumbed friends. While you\u2019re there, stop by the Garden\u2019s famous Holiday Train Show<\/strong><\/a>, an unbelievable train display lined with iconic NYC landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThroughout the city, you\u2019ll see many public parks dressed for the season, too. Bryant Park\u2019s Winter Village<\/strong><\/a> is a popular spot with free ice skating, rinkside restaurants, and dozens of local vendors. Similarly, Central Park<\/strong> offers not one, but TWO, ice skating rinks, plus kitschy holiday kiosks and a variety of food vendors. The nearby Columbus Circle holiday market<\/strong> is a hit among locals and travelers alike, as is Central Park\u2019s steepest slope, Pilgrim Hill<\/strong>, where you\u2019ll find sledders reveling in the snow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor a different kind of holiday display, look no further than Fifth Avenue<\/strong>, where luxury brands and department stores like Bloomingdale\u2019s<\/strong> and Bergdorf Goodman<\/strong> transform their windows into extravagant works of art. Across town, Brookfield Place<\/strong> is another great spot for holiday shopping and festive events. Enjoy a romantic night of ice skating overlooking the Hudson River, wander through holiday-inspired art installations, and take advantage of complimentary gift wrapping, too! <\/p>\n\n\n\nSpectacular, Spectacular<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNew York City\u2019s performing arts are among the best in the world. During your holiday visit, treat yourself to brilliant performances the whole family will love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From November through January, the famous Rockettes<\/strong> are back at Radio City Music Hall for their beloved <\/strong>Christmas Spectacular<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. At Lincoln Center, watch the New York City Ballet<\/strong> perform a timeless classic, The Nutcracker<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, from November 26 through January 2. The Metropolitan Opera<\/strong><\/a> is staging a range of performances this year, from Puccini\u2019s La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> to holiday-inspired adaptations of Cinderella<\/em> and Mozart\u2019s The Magic Flute<\/em>. And at Carnegie Hall<\/strong><\/a>, enjoy your choice of symphonies, cello performances, holiday chamber music and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBroadway<\/strong> is finally back for in-person shows, and this year\u2019s season boasts serious heavy hitters like Moulin Rouge!<\/em><\/strong><\/a>,<\/em> winner of the 2020 Tony Award for Best Musical, and Jagged Little Pill<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning production inspired by Alanis Morissette\u2019s album by the same name. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater<\/strong><\/a> also makes its much-awaited return to the stage on December 1 with a three-week season full of new works and fan favorites. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAfter the holidays, stick around for National YoungArts Week<\/strong><\/a> (January 9-15) to experience America\u2019s brightest up-and-coming talent across a range of disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThree…Two…One!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u201cThe City that Never Sleeps\u201d is perfectly suited for an over-the-top New Year\u2019s Eve celebration, don\u2019t you think? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the five boroughs, you\u2019ll find tons of NYE events for every party-goer: rooftop bars with A-list DJs, glamorous ballroom galas, artsy warehouse parties, and everything in between. At Brooklyn\u2019s <\/strong>House of Yes<\/strong><\/a>, a famously LGBTQ+ friendly night club, don your craziest costumes and dance the year away with circus performers, drag queens and cabaret dancers. If your style is more black tie than burlesque, make a reservation at Cipriani<\/strong><\/a> for their annual New Year\u2019s Eve affair.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor the quintessential New York City rooftop experience, plan to stay at the Aliz Hotel<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 an Independent Collection hotel in the heart of Times Square \u2013 where you\u2019ll find Dear Irving on Hudson<\/strong>, a swanky cocktail parlor with sexy decor and 360-degree views of Manhattan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.independentcollection.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/iStock-172422351-1024x562.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the evening, why not indulge in a Thanksgiving feast? New York City is home to some of the world\u2019s best restaurants, from upscale lounges with James Beard-winning chefs, to mom-and-pop eateries serving home-cooked happiness. Gather the family and dig into a prix fixe Thanksgiving dinner like never before. And, if you dare, stay up late to get a leg up on Black Friday shopping. (Pssst…check out our top picks for shopping, dining and more in our latest NYC guide<\/a>!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Legend has it that Edward Hibberd Johnson \u2013 an engineer, inventor, and business partner of Thomas Edison \u2013 requested specially-made Edison light bulbs to decorate his Christmas tree in 1882. Adorned with 80 hand-wired bulbs in red, white and blue, the tree was displayed in the window of Johnson\u2019s NYC townhome, setting off a nationwide frenzy for electronically-lit trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our obsession with twinkling evergreens lives on, and New York City boasts some of the most dazzling displays around. Get into the holiday spirit with strolls past the city\u2019s famous firs. In spite of seasonal crowds, Rockefeller Center<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s<\/strong> grandiose tree is truly a sight to behold. For a more low-key, up-close viewing, visit Washington Square<\/strong> or the Seaport District<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> You might be surprised to find trees inside of city\u2019s museums, too. Check out the 50th annual origami tree at the American Museum of Natural History<\/strong><\/a>, and the beautiful nativity scene on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to be outdone by a measly ol\u2019 tree, the New York Botanical Garden<\/strong><\/a> ups the ante with GLOW<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, an immersive holiday installation featuring thousands of LED lights. Grab a hot cocoa and wander through 1.5 miles of brilliant lights illuminating the Garden\u2019s exotic plants and historic buildings. From November through January, GLOW<\/em> will also present artistic ice sculpting, a foodie-favorite pop-up with Bronx Night Market<\/strong>, and a holiday gift shop with funky plants to surprise your green-thumbed friends. While you\u2019re there, stop by the Garden\u2019s famous Holiday Train Show<\/strong><\/a>, an unbelievable train display lined with iconic NYC landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the city, you\u2019ll see many public parks dressed for the season, too. Bryant Park\u2019s Winter Village<\/strong><\/a> is a popular spot with free ice skating, rinkside restaurants, and dozens of local vendors. Similarly, Central Park<\/strong> offers not one, but TWO, ice skating rinks, plus kitschy holiday kiosks and a variety of food vendors. The nearby Columbus Circle holiday market<\/strong> is a hit among locals and travelers alike, as is Central Park\u2019s steepest slope, Pilgrim Hill<\/strong>, where you\u2019ll find sledders reveling in the snow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a different kind of holiday display, look no further than Fifth Avenue<\/strong>, where luxury brands and department stores like Bloomingdale\u2019s<\/strong> and Bergdorf Goodman<\/strong> transform their windows into extravagant works of art. Across town, Brookfield Place<\/strong> is another great spot for holiday shopping and festive events. Enjoy a romantic night of ice skating overlooking the Hudson River, wander through holiday-inspired art installations, and take advantage of complimentary gift wrapping, too! <\/p>\n\n\n\n New York City\u2019s performing arts are among the best in the world. During your holiday visit, treat yourself to brilliant performances the whole family will love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From November through January, the famous Rockettes<\/strong> are back at Radio City Music Hall for their beloved <\/strong>Christmas Spectacular<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. At Lincoln Center, watch the New York City Ballet<\/strong> perform a timeless classic, The Nutcracker<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, from November 26 through January 2. The Metropolitan Opera<\/strong><\/a> is staging a range of performances this year, from Puccini\u2019s La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> to holiday-inspired adaptations of Cinderella<\/em> and Mozart\u2019s The Magic Flute<\/em>. And at Carnegie Hall<\/strong><\/a>, enjoy your choice of symphonies, cello performances, holiday chamber music and much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Broadway<\/strong> is finally back for in-person shows, and this year\u2019s season boasts serious heavy hitters like Moulin Rouge!<\/em><\/strong><\/a>,<\/em> winner of the 2020 Tony Award for Best Musical, and Jagged Little Pill<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, a Tony and Grammy Award-winning production inspired by Alanis Morissette\u2019s album by the same name. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater<\/strong><\/a> also makes its much-awaited return to the stage on December 1 with a three-week season full of new works and fan favorites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After the holidays, stick around for National YoungArts Week<\/strong><\/a> (January 9-15) to experience America\u2019s brightest up-and-coming talent across a range of disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe City that Never Sleeps\u201d is perfectly suited for an over-the-top New Year\u2019s Eve celebration, don\u2019t you think? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the five boroughs, you\u2019ll find tons of NYE events for every party-goer: rooftop bars with A-list DJs, glamorous ballroom galas, artsy warehouse parties, and everything in between. At Brooklyn\u2019s <\/strong>House of Yes<\/strong><\/a>, a famously LGBTQ+ friendly night club, don your craziest costumes and dance the year away with circus performers, drag queens and cabaret dancers. If your style is more black tie than burlesque, make a reservation at Cipriani<\/strong><\/a> for their annual New Year\u2019s Eve affair.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the quintessential New York City rooftop experience, plan to stay at the Aliz Hotel<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 an Independent Collection hotel in the heart of Times Square \u2013 where you\u2019ll find Dear Irving on Hudson<\/strong>, a swanky cocktail parlor with sexy decor and 360-degree views of Manhattan. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFamous Firs & Dazzling Displays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.independentcollection.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/ibrahim-boran-WowZCB74KCQ-unsplash-1-692x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.independentcollection.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/iStock-1083490526-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.independentcollection.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/johnell-pannell-CTzxyWsV6JQ-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSpectacular, Spectacular<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.independentcollection.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/iStock-621244904-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThree…Two…One!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.independentcollection.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/6061f074d0775-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n