Christmas in August? - It's Not Too Early to Plan a Trip to NYC During the Holiday Season

You might think it is too early to think about the holiday season. However, due to popular demand, tickets for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular are now on sale. The tickets go quickly because the show is very popular for local NYC folks as well as tourists and school groups. If you plan a trip to New York City, or you live in the area, this year's Christmas Spectacular is a little special. The Spectacular is celebrating 75 years, and the show will be featuring some new and truly spectacular scenes. The show runs from November 9th through December 30th, and there are several shows during the day: usually a morning show, early and late afternoon and evening show. Weekdays are easier to book than weekends.

Another great holiday event to consider if you are planning to come to New York City is the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This lighting ceremony is a long-standing tradition. This year, the lighting is tentatively planned for November 27th or November 28th. The lighting show runs from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you miss the lighting, but are in the city between these dates and the New Year, the tree will be lit all day and evening.

Each year, someone in the country, usually in the northeast, offers a tree on their property as the Rockefeller Tree. The tree has to be very large and high and usually comes from an open country area. We usually don't know where the tree is coming from until a month or two before the ceremony.

New York City is transformed from a bustling, rather cold city, to a wonderland during the holiday season. You can visit some of the major department stores such as Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and others who boast beautifully decorated windows each holiday season. Each year the window themes are different. Then, there are the lights on 5th avenue and other main avenues in the city. If it's not too cold during the season, it's great to stroll down the avenues at night and take in the lights. It is one time of the year that the city feels truly "warm."

So, if you're planning a trip to NYC, remember these special events and book your Christmas Spectacular tickets early.