If you haven't heard yet, the USA will be opening its borders to double-vaccinated travellers from 9 November, meaning American adventures are back on the cards...and just in time for the festive season. The winter wonderland that is New York immediately springs to mind. Central Park blanketed in crisp snow, the bright lights of Macy's and Saks, gut-busting turkey feasts from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We're thinking less home and more Home Alone.
The razzle dazzle of the Big Apple continues well after harvest and Halloween season has had its curtain call. From the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in late November right up to scene-stealing Times Square New Years Eve fireworks display, there are countless cheap and even free festive events and activities in New York to get you into the spirit of things. Here are our top recommendations for budget-saving things to do in November, December, and January...
Best free things to see and do in November in New York City
Ride the Staten Island Ferry - Before NYC winter comes through with those nail-biting temperatures, we recommend hopping on board the Staten Island Ferry, which shuttles between the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. This is an awesome way to see the iconic Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty without putting your hand in your pocket. Better still, it runs 24/7, meaning you can choose to soak up the views day or night.
Take the Brooklyn Brewery Tour - Craft beer lovers will rejoice in the fact that New York has several breweries throughout its city streets. With Brooklyn Brewery and a number of others offering free tours and samples to its many guests, it's no wonder the city is fast becoming known as the craft beer capital of the US. Stop by for a free tour of the brewhouse and packaging hall on Sundays from 1-6pm and leave feeling happily hoppy. The perfect antidote to winter weather.
Family Fun Hour at Rockefeller Park - Grownups, you've had your beer tour, now it's time for some family fun! On 4 & 18 November 2021, you can head to Rockefeller Park to scope out the Family Fun Hour from 3-4pm, where kids are welcome to join in with a range of arts, crafts, and nature activities. They'll also feel free to run amok in the park's adventure playgrounds, featuring supersized climbing structures, expansive sandboxes, swinging bridges, slides, and then some.
Best free events in November in New York City
Broadway Under The Stars - If this isn't a budget hack for theatre lovers in New York City, we don't know what is. Starting in November, the Shops at Columbus Circle host live broadway musical performances every Monday for five weeks. Though the name of the event might suggest otherwise, you'll be glad to know that it's based entirely indoors. Strap in for a singalong to your favourite show tunes under the glow of the 14-foot stars hanging from the Time Warner Center's ceiling.
TCS New York City Marathon - Set for 7 November in 2021, this one just misses the border reopening, but if you're looking to travel next year or beyond, make sure you factor this free event into your NYC schedule. The atmosphere is palpable all along the running route, which trails from Staten Island, through the five boroughs of New York City, and ends in Central Park. Wait at the finish line and cheer, or stand at the sidelines with a slice of pizza...the choice is all yours!
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - After being consigned to a virtual state last year like much of our most hotly-anticipated events (we're not bitter at all), the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to make a major IRL comeback this year. This spectacular showcase features themed floats, lively performances, and giant balloons - some reaching neck-craning heights of five storeys! The post-parade massage might set you back a few bucks but the event itself is free of charge.
Best free things to see and do in December in New York City
Window shopping on Fifth Avenue - Whilst we're aware that indulging in a spot of retail therapy on New York City's most prestigious commercial avenue isn't within everyone's budget, window shopping is. Each year, Manhattan's flagship department stores reveal their elaborately arranged window displays, attracting visitors from far and wide. Wrap up warm and peruse the twinkling stretch from Bloomingdale's to Sak's, judging for yourself who decks the halls best.
Get lost in a free museum or gallery - Looking to stay warm and get a dose of culture at the same time? You're in luck. New York City, being the cosmopolitan giant that it is, is home to masses of museums and galleries. Many of these you can also enjoy free of charge or on a 'pay what you wish' basis. Among our favourites is the The American Museum of Natural History - the largest of its kind in the world, spanning almost four city blocks. An ideal indoor activity for your winter city break!
Visit Macy's Santaland with the kids - If you're travelling to the USA with young children in December, this is a great one for free and festive family fun. In Macy's, Manhattan, you'll find Santaland - a sprawling Christmas village within the department store. Follow the pathway past sparkling lights, snow-capped trees, and Santa's workshop until you meet the man himself. Children can share their Christmas wishes and you can either capture the moment yourself or pay for a professional photograph.
Best free events in December in New York City
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - The clue's in the name with this one but don't be fooled - this is an event that defies expectations, whether it's your first or fiftieth time attending. Tens of thousands flock to see the tree, traditionally a towering Norway Spruce, illuminated with 30,000 lights (environmentally-friendly LED lights might we add) and crowned with a Swarovski crystal star. The best part? It's free. See exactly watt's up on 1 December 2021.
Bryant Park Winter Village - The Christmas spirit is alive and well at this winter market, so head here to get your fill of trinket shopping or simply to soak up the seasonal cheer. There are plenty of Christmas markets in NYC, but this one tops the bill for us thanks to its free ice-skating rink. This is a must-see for festive obsessives and if you're a bit of a Grinch, well now you know precisely where not to go. The market is open all throughout December, giving you ample time to visit.
Times Square on New Years Eve - End the year with a literal bang here in Times Square, where people come in their droves to watch the famous ball drop live. As it descends to the ground during the countdown, you'll be bowled over by a background of celebratory fireworks and eye-catching light displays. The ball drops at midnight, but there are also live performances from famous artists starting from around 6pm. Head there early to nab the best spot.
Best free things to see and do in January in New York City
Ice skating on Conservatory Water - Winter ice skating in New York City is a huge festive tradition, but often you'll pay a price premium for the pleasure. Luckily for you, we've found a loophole! If the ice at Conservatory Water, a boating lake in Central Park, reaches a thickness of six inches once drained and frozen over, the Central Park Conservancy allows skating completely free of charge. It's a BYOS (bring your own skates, sledge, or snowshoes) kind of party.
Visit The New York Aquarium - From frozen lakes to discoveries beneath the waves...The New York Aquarium, situated in Brooklyn's Coney Island, is free to visit after 3pm on Wednesdays with a booking in advance. Wile away the hours meeting the water-dwelling residents of the aquarium, from sharks and sea lions to squid and seals. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are there to entertain and educate, whilst exhibits, experiences, and encounters make this an attractive all-rounder.
Be part of a live TV audience - Whilst tickets for America's biggest TV shows are highly coveted (think SNL, Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and more), you might be surprised to know you can get in the audience for free! If you don't mind an early start to jump in line (strong coffee and donuts help), you could be in with the chance of getting up-close-and-personal with the stars. It's easier to get to the front of the queue in January, so add this to your list.
Best free events in January in New York City
Polar Bear Club New Year's Day Swim - If you happen to have a sore head after your NYC NYE celebrations, we recommend you head to Coney Island on New Year's Day to watch the oldest winter bathing club in the United States do what they do best. Take the plunge alongside the Polar Bears and clear away the cobwebs...or settle for some good old fashioned schadenfreude as you watch these brave souls running in and out of the ice-cold Atlantic Ocean.
NYC Broadway Week - Okay, so this one isn't completely free but we couldn't really get away without mentioning it. Every year for a week in January NYC Broadway Week has historically provided audiences with the chance to purchase 2-for-1 tickets to the biggest and best shows on Broadway. For theatre lovers, this is an unmissable opportunity to make huge savings on what is one of the most quintessential experiences you can get on a trip to New York City.
Gospel at the Abyssinian Baptist Church - Being just outside one of the main tourist seasons for New York, January is a great time to catch some live gospel music at one of the most popular services in the city. Pick a Sunday and head to the centuries-old Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem to see this impressive space transformed with spine-tingling spiritual sounds. Grab a pew and settle in to watch the Cathedral Choir sing oratorios, cantatas, hymns, and more.
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MACY'S, INC. 
