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What Is Open on Christmas Day 2025 in NYC?

While most businesses close on Christmas Day, many essential stores, like grocery stores, pharmacies, and bodegas, remain open. Many family attractions are also open, possibly with reduced hours, because not everyone celebrates Christmas.

What Can Families Do on Christmas Day in NYC?

1. Winter Village at Bryant Park – Midtown

This outdoor winter wonderland is open on Christmas Day. Go ice skating, sip on hot chocolate, and take in the magical decorations.

2. See A Christmas Day Show on Broadway – Midtown West

While most Broadway shows are closed on Christmas Day, you can catch Chicago, Wicked, or MJ: The Musical on stage.

3. Attend a Religious Service – Citywide

If you weren't able to go on Christmas Eve, churches are, of course, open on Christmas Day.

4. See the Wax Figures at Madame Tussauds – Midtown West

Times Square's Madame Tussauds is open on Christmas Day. If you'd rather play games, the arcade/restaurant Dave & Buster's is open, too.

5. See the Big Apple Circus – Upper West Side

The Big Apple Circus plays two shows on the holiday. Pop over to Lincoln Center to see the comedic genius of Johnny Rico, the jaw-dropping trapeze artistry of the Flying Maluendas from Chile, and the high-energy acrobatics and human pyramids of Ukraine’s Bingo Troupe.

6. Visit the Rockefeller Center Tree – Midtown East

It might be crowded, but why not begin a unique family tradition with a photo in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on Christmas Day? The atmosphere is guaranteed to be festive.

7. Celebrate with the Rockettes – Midtown

Enjoy a New York City Christmas tradition and see the iconic Rockettes perform their annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular. They'll be high-kicking through four performances on the holiday!

8. See a Movie

Many movie theaters are open on Christmas Day, so you can catch family-friendly recent releases like the much-anticipated Wicked: For Good or the SpongeBob Movie. Prefer to stay home? We've got picks for family-friendly Christmas movies. Of course, TBS returns with its 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon.

9. Visit the Zoo or Aquarium – Citywide

Although the Bronx Zoo is closed for the holiday, the Queens, Central Park, and Prospect Park zoos are open, along with the New York Aquarium on Coney Island.

10. See Spectacular Holiday Houses – Citywide

Take a drive through some of the outer boroughs to see these magnificent light displays.

Gaze at the iconic Christmas tree as you glide around the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Center

11. Go Ice Skating

The rinks at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, Prospect Park, Brookfield Place, Central Park's Wollman Rink, Brooklyn Bridge Park's Roebling Rink and Glide are all open on Christmas Day, weather permitting. The indoor rink at World Ice Arena in Queens also has public ice skating on Christmas Day.

12. Visit Santa's Winter Wonderland – South Street Seaport

Santa's Winter Wonderland is open on the holiday, offering festive eats, fun attractions, and beautiful, seasonal photo-ops.

13. Visit a Jewish Museum – Crown Heights, Brooklyn

The Jewish Children's Museum is one of the few museums open on Christmas Day. It's got a ton of activities, like mini-golf, a ball pit, wall-climbing, and interactive exhibits to help children learn about the Jewish religion and culture. You can also see a winter concert of Jewish klezmer music at the Museum at Eldridge Street.

14. Experience Pinkmas at the Edge – Hell's Kitchen

The Museum of Ice Cream’s beloved Pinkmas celebration takes to the sky for the first time—only at the Edge. Step into a whimsical world of vibrant pink installations, life-size ice cream pints, and a hanging banana jungle—all set against Edge’s breathtaking backdrop.

15. Gawk at the Holiday Windows – Midtown

We make our annual trek to see the holiday windows right after Thanksgiving. But time is swiftly running out to see these awe-inspiring displays before they come down for the season.

16. Go Sightseeing

Climb aboard the TopView Sightseeing Bus for a roving tea party or ride the North Pole Express to peep Christmas lights galore.

17. Go Bowling at Bowl 360 – Various locations

Several of the city's bowling alleys are open on Christmas, including Bowl 360 in Astoria and Gravesend, Brooklyn. Abbreviated hours may apply, so call ahead.

18. Take a Stroll – Citywide

Enjoy a quiet Christmas stroll through one of the city's green spaces. Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Van Cortlandt Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and all other NYC parks are open on Christmas.

Experience the immersive observation deck at Summit One Vanderbilt. Photo by Jody Mercier

19. Experience the Best Views

Play tourist and take in the stunning views from the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, and Summit One Vanderbilt.

20. Let the Kids Play at Space Club – Multiple Brooklyn Locations

Most indoor play spaces are closed on Christmas Day, but not Space Club. This indoor play space with three Brooklyn locations is open 365 days, from 8am-7pm. Kids can jump into the ball pit, play with Legos, and run around on the play equipment.

Stores Open on Christmas Day for Last-Minute Gifts or Essentials

Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid

Pharmacy stores are great for small gifts, batteries, cards, wrapping paper, and last-minute essentials.

Bodegas and Coffee Shops

Don't forget your local bodega and coffee shops, which will likely be open on Christmas Day.

Are Any Grocery Stores Open on Christmas Day 2025 in NYC?

Major Chains That Are Open in NYC

These are some of the major grocery stores in NYC that will be open on Christmas Day. Note that hours vary by location, so always call ahead.

• Key Foods
• C-Town
• Morton Williams
• Fairway (only some locations will be open)
• HMart

Grocery Stores Typically Closed

Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Union Market, Stop & Shop, Target, and Wegman's are all closed on Christmas Day.

FAQs for What’s Open on Christmas Day 2025?

Are grocery stores open on Christmas?
A few, like Key Foods, C-Town, Fairway, and Morton Williams, will be open for limited hours—call your local store to confirm.

Are restaurants open on Christmas Day?
Yes, many restaurants are open on Christmas Day.

What can you do with kids on Christmas Day if you don’t celebrate or want to get out?
Go to a movie, enjoy light displays, go sledding or skating, or visit your local park.

Is Starbucks open on Christmas Day?
Many are, but with limited morning hours—check the app for your nearest location. Also, your local coffee shop might be open on Christmas Day.

Are malls or shopping centers open on Christmas?
Almost all are closed, though some outlet food courts or movie theaters may operate independently.

This post, originally published in December 2009, is updated annually.