Jingle Bells and Holiday Spells: NYC's Magical December Delights

Good morning listeners and welcome back to Things to Do in New York City! I'm your host Olly Bennett, and let me tell you, if you're tuning in on this Thursday, December 4th, 2025, you've picked the perfect day to explore this absolutely electric city. The holiday season is in full swing here in the Big Apple, and the energy is absolutely infectious. Let's dive right into what's happening around the city today. First up, if you're in Midtown and you haven't caught it yet, the NYSE Tree Lighting is happening right now at 11 Wall Street. This iconic celebration runs from 3:30 to 6:30 PM with the actual tree lights illuminating at 6 PM. We're talking about a 75-foot masterpiece of holiday magic, complete with live music performances and company activations. Here's the wild part—you can actually stand directly underneath this towering beauty, not just gawk from afar. It's like standing under a Christmas explosion! Second, if you're a Cirque du Soleil fan, mark your calendar because 'Twas the Night Before is performing at The Theater at MSG tonight at 7 PM, and this limited holiday run only sticks around through December 28th. This is pure acrobatic artistry meets festive shenanigans. Third, head over to The Shops at Columbus Circle for Broadway Under the Stars, where you can catch live Broadway performances at 5 PM. We're talking real Broadway talent performing their hearts out, followed by intimate conversations with the stars themselves moderated by Broadway alum George Psomas. Now here's where things get really fun for you listeners. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is absolutely dominating the schedule with the legendary Rockettes and their death-defying high kicks performing multiple times throughout the day at Radio City Music Hall. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned spectacle veteran, this show is pure New York holiday tradition. For my family-oriented listeners, the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights runs through January 4th and the New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show features a jaw-dropping 34-foot two-level miniature train set complete with vintage subway cars and the Polar Express winding through whimsical NYC landmarks. It's Instagram gold and runs through February 1st. Here's a local tip that'll make you sound like a true New Yorker: the Holiday Under The Stars installation at the Shops at Columbus Circle features 300,000 twinkling lights and 44 color-changing stars that perform a choreographed light show every 30 minutes from 5 PM to midnight. Show up around 4:45 PM, grab a hot chocolate, and snag your spot before the crowds roll in. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the TikTok Holiday Emporium opens at Grand Central Terminal on December 5th for an immersive three-day pop-up experience, plus DSW is launching its first-ever NYC holiday pop-up with life-sized shoe box dioramas designed by actual NYC fashion tastemakers. Trust me, tomorrow's going to be absolutely wild. So listeners, get out there, embrace the holiday chaos, and This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.