Guide to Christmas Services in New York City

New York City has a large selection of churches of every denomination and most of them have services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. New York City takes on a different life style on Christmas Eve. Most of the stores close early, very few people are working, and while it is still the City that Never Sleeps, on Christmas Eve, it at least it slows down a notch or two. You can walk the streets at a leisurely pace and the sound of all the church bells ringing at once at midnight is something not to be missed.

If you are in New York City on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and if you are looking for a place to worship, the ones listed here are some of the largest, and probably will be easiest for a visitor to attend.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Roman Catholic Services

St. Patrick’s is one of the most well known churches in the world and as such, there is great interest in attending services here, especially at holiday time. Please, if you wish to attend the services, make note of the ones that require reservations, they are in bold type) and contact the church well in advance to assure your seats. They have services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve:
December 24 - Vigil at 5:30 pm,
Midnight Mass * Reserved seating by ticket only
Edward Cardinal Egan, Celebrant and Homilist
December 25 - 7:00 am, 8:00, 9:00, 10:15 *, 12 Noon and 1 pm * Reserved seating by ticket only
Christmas Day
December 25 - 7:00 am, 8:00, 9:00, 10:15 *, 12 Noon and 1 pm * Reserved seating by ticket only

New York City has one of the largest mixed faith communities anywhere. In 1987 The Interfaith Community was founded to work with families of mixed faith, Jewish Christian, to celebrate both traditions. In this context, they have a Christmas/ Hannukah celebration this year on Dec10th. There will be first an Advent/Christmas celebration, followed by a Hannukah Celebration. There will be food and traditions from both.