During the holiday season, from late November through early January, New York City experiences an influx of tourists and travelers. In the shopping districts alone, they receive over three million daily visitors. Businesses have even reported that as much as 20% of their revenue is from tourism, generated in November and December. But why is it that so many are drawn to this particular city during the holidays? What does it have to offer? The answer is everything and more.
Now that the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has come and gone, the city has made the transition into the upcoming December holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and, of course, the new year. Businesses are putting up new decorations, New Yorkers are prepping for the overcrowdedness and tourists are booking their flights. The most exciting time to be in New York City is upon us, and as Fordham University students, we are right in the middle of it.
New York City has been known for its extravagant celebrations of Christmas, and not just because of “Home Alone 2.” For the past 93 years, New Yorkers and tourists alike have flocked to Rockefeller Center to see the lighting of their annual Christmas tree. It is definitely a must-see for anyone wanting to get into the Christmas spirit. With the ice rink nestled below the colorful lights of the tree and the neighboring shops equally decked out in Christmas memorabilia, it feels as if you are actually in the North Pole. This year, the tree will be lit on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., though the event will also be broadcast for those who would like to avoid the cold and crowds.
It is not just large trees that New York City is home to, but the two largest menorahs in the world. These two menorahs, one being 36 feet tall and the other 32 feet, are located at both Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza. These will be lit at sundown each night of Hanukkah, beginning on night one, Dec. 14, and lasting until night eight, Dec. 21. At the Brooklyn location, there is also a concert to start the holiday, as well as complimentary hot latkes and gifts given out to children each of the nights. Since this year Hanukkah will fall during a time when Fordham students are finishing up finals, many may be unable to celebrate each night with their families. This is an accessible alternative to still experience a community-wide celebration.
The holiday season, especially in New York City, is always a time that brings people together, which is precisely what the Brooklyn Children’s Museum focuses on during its annual Kwanzaa celebration. For the 18th year, the museum will host daily Kwanzaa celebrations from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30, five of the seven days of the holiday. Each day there will be a candle lighting ceremony, performances and workshops all focused on celebrating African culture and heritage. The events will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing for a complete day dedicated to celebration. Although Kwanzaa falls during Fordham University’s winter break, students staying nearby can still stop by for a day of celebration.
To close out the winter celebrations, we have the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square. Even those living outside of the city tune in each year to count down the seconds until the new year. It is the most crowded, hectic, sensory and harmonious event of the whole year in New York City. With all of the traffic and craziness it brings, it really does create a community in the city we call our home. For anyone staying around during the break, it is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the ball drop in person right from Times Square.
Aside from holidays themselves, winter is an exciting time in New York City. There are countless ice skating rinks across the city just waiting to be used, and once it snows the city transforms entirely. As Fordham students living here, it is our duty to make the most of this unique opportunity to be in such a versatile place during this year’s holiday season.
