New York Joins Miami, Las Vegas, and Chicago in Unbelievable Christmas Celebrations and Hidden Things: What You Need to Know

Published on December 9, 2025

During the 2025 holiday season, major U.S. cities plan a broad mix of official activities that combine time‑honoured traditions with local flair. Governments, tourism boards and public agencies release schedules months ahead to help residents and visitors plan memorable holidays. The events outlined below are drawn from official or government‑verified sources, ensuring that dates, venues and features are accurate.

New York City

New York’s festive season centres on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. In 2025 the Rockefeller Center presents a 75‑foot Norway spruce donated by the Russ family. Officials note that head gardener Erik Pauze oversees the tree’s selection and transport[1]. The tree arrives in early November and is erected in the plaza; workers decorate it with approximately 50,000 energy‑efficient LED lights before the lighting ceremony. The public tree lighting takes place on 3 December 2025, with a televised ceremony from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.[1]. Once lit, the tree remains illuminated daily from 5:00 a.m. to midnight (and all day on Christmas and New Year’s Eve). Skating on the Rink at Rockefeller Center continues daily, and visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the Top of the Rock observation deck[2].

New York City Tourism & Conventions, the official tourism body, publishes a holiday press release detailing more than 50 seasonal events. Highlights include:

• Radio City Christmas Spectacular – The famous Rockettes return to Radio City Music Hall from 6 November to 4 January, offering multiple shows daily[3].
• Big Apple Circus – Set up at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, the circus runs from 7 November to 4 January[4].
• Holiday Performances – Theatergoers can choose from productions like A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC, The Nutcracker! (Magical Christmas Ballet), A Charlie Brown Christmas live shows, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by New York City Ballet and other holiday ballets[5]. Many of these run through December into early January.
• Menorah Lightings – The city lights two of the world’s largest menorahs in Manhattan and Brooklyn each night from 14 December to 22 December[2].
• New Year’s Eve Ball Drop – The Times Square Ball Drop on 31 December brings crowds to watch the crystal ball descend at midnight[6].

Beyond Midtown, the tourism release promotes events across all five boroughs, such as holiday markets, classical concerts and charity performances. The comprehensive list underscores the city’s effort to support arts organizations and maintain public traditions.[5]

Miami

The Miami area embraces tropical weather while preserving community traditions. On 13 December 2025, the City of Miami Beach Holiday Extravaganza transforms Lummus Park (Ocean Drive between 13th and 14th Streets) into a family‑friendly festival. The city’s official event schedule shows that the evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with remarks from the mayor and officials. A classical music concert follows at 6:15 p.m., a drone light show runs from 7:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., and the pattern repeats with another concert and drone show[7]. Admission is free, and the city encourages attendees to bring blankets or folding chairs to enjoy the live music and projection mapping displays[7]. This event illustrates how Miami Beach combines technology with classical performance to celebrate the season.

Family traditions continue in nearby South Miami. The official South Miami events page advertises Santa’s Parade of the Elves on 7 December 2025. Families can visit Santa’s Workshop at Sunset Drive and 58th Avenue from noon to 2 p.m. for crafts, music, games and a photo booth. At 2 p.m. the parade marches east along Sunset Drive from U.S. 1 to Red Road, welcoming Santa and featuring local groups and marching bands[8]. The event is free and invites schools, scouts and civic organizations to participate[8].

The region’s largest seasonal attraction is Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park, promoted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (the official tourism board). Organizers describe an immersive holiday village with themed zones such as HoliDade, Town Square, Sweet Street, Arctic Delight and Toy Town[9]. Nearly 40 carnival rides include roller coasters, Ferris wheels and carousels. The event operates every day through 4 January 2026, with hours 5–11 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 5 p.m.–midnight Friday and Saturday, and 4–10 p.m. Sunday[10]. Special theme nights range from “Friendsgiving” and “Ugly Sweater Night” to “Heroes Night” and “Three Kings Day Parade”, reflecting Miami’s diverse culture[10]. Tickets start at $39 for adults and $29 for children; discounted bundles include unlimited rides[10].

Las Vegas

The City of Las Vegas government compiles an annual “Holiday Happenings” list describing dozens of community events. The 2025 schedule features multicultural festivals, craft fairs and family activities hosted at city parks and community centres:

• Tamales & Mariachi Festival – On 6 December the plaza outside Las Vegas City Hall (Carolyn G. Goodman Plaza) becomes a vibrant marketplace with tamale vendors, arts and crafts and live performances by Grammy‑winning mariachi groups[11]. Admission is free and the city encourages families to taste and vote for their favourite tamales.
• Ward 6 Cowboy Christmas & Classic Car Show – Also on 6 December, Floyd Lamb Park hosts a holiday classic car show, arts and crafts fair, children’s activities, jump houses and music[12]. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for donation.
• Holiday Float Fest at the Municipal Pool – Residents can bring pool floats for games and a floating holiday movie from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on 6 December[13]. The event includes music and refreshments.
• Fiesta Navideña – On 13 December, the city hosts this festive celebration at City Hall’s plaza with holiday‑themed performances, music, food vendors and games[14]. Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance to greet children.
• Ward 3 Christmas Posada Festival – Also on 13 December, the East Las Vegas Community Center welcomes families to a posada (a traditional Latin American procession), live entertainment and treats. The first 1,000 children receive gifts, and guests enjoy free champurrado and pan dulce[15].

Beyond these major events, the city organizes numerous smaller programs. There are senior luncheons, ugly sweater contests, Winter Wonderland pool parties, Nerf Mania games, Kwanzaa celebrations at community centres and a Doolittle noon‑day countdown for families who prefer to ring in the New Year earlier[16]. Winter break camps at recreation centres provide sports, arts and homework assistance, while youth events like the Ward 1 & Secret Santa Project Drive‑Thru Toy Giveaway distribute toys to children[17]. Las Vegas’s city‑run program emphasises accessibility—many events are free or low‑cost—and represents the cultural diversity of the city’s residents.

Chicago

Chicago’s official holiday programming is managed by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Transit Authority. The Park District’s winter guide lists community events for every age group. Notable activities include:

• Holiday Storytime & Coloring – Early‑childhood storytime with a holiday theme at Schreiber Park on 4 December[18].
• Holiday Gym Showcase and Holiday Party – McKinley Park hosts a showcase on 5 December, and West Lawn Park offers a holiday party the same day with games, prizes, hot chocolate and a tree‑lighting ceremony[19].
• Crafts with Santa and Holiday Skate with Santa – On 6 December families can meet Santa at Hale Park for crafts, while Warren Park’s outdoor ice rink hosts skating with Santa, photos and letters to the North Pole[20]. McKinley Park also offers a Santa skate on 7 December with treats and music[20].
• Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Deaf Santa – Archer Park partners with Chicago Hearing Society to provide a signing Santa experience for children with hearing loss on 7 December[21].
• Holiday Silent Movie with Live Music – River Park hosts screenings of early holiday films from 1901–1916, accompanied by live music from keyboardist David Drazin on 7 December[22].
• Photos with the Grinch and Hot Cocoa with Santa – Families can pose for photos at Donovan Park on 8 December and enjoy cocoa and crafts at Valley Forge Park later that day[23].
• Holiday Art & Craft and Santa’s Family Workshop – Various parks host craft workshops on 9 December (Rosedale Park) and 10 December (Adams Park), giving children a chance to make gifts and ornaments[24].

The Park District also offers senior luncheons, a Senior Holiday Party and specialized programming for individuals with disabilities[24]. These events are generally low‑cost or free and provide inclusive spaces for neighbours to celebrate together.

Allstate CTA Holiday Train & Bus

Chicago’s most unique mobile celebration is the Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Holiday Bus. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) explains that this tradition began in 1992 when employees delivered food to charities and decorated an out‑of‑service train. Today, the CTA operates a fully decorated train covered with thousands of festive lights, holiday images and a flatcar where Santa and his reindeer ride a sleigh[25]. The train visits each rail line between late November and late December. Regular fares apply, but the Holiday Train supports the CTA’s charity food delivery program, which provides about 400 food baskets to community organizations[25]. Similarly, the decorated holiday bus travels different routes, offering a “Photo With Santa” session at select locations[26]. The CTA publishes a detailed schedule so families can plan to see the train at their local stations[26].

Conclusion

By examining official schedules from tourism boards and municipal agencies, we see that U.S. cities approach Christmas in varied but equally vibrant ways. New York City blends iconic spectacles like the Rockefeller Center tree and the Rockettes with an extensive menu of theatre and music. Miami combines beachside festivities with modern elements like drone shows and immersive villages, reflecting its multicultural community. Las Vegas uses its civic plazas and parks to host culturally diverse events—from mariachi concerts and tamale tastings to pool float parties and posadas—that are accessible to residents of all ages. Chicago anchors its celebrations in neighborhood parks and on the rails of the CTA Holiday Train, emphasizing community inclusion, accessibility and support for families. Together, these cities show that the spirit of Christmas in 2025 is not just about lights and gifts but about community connection and the shared joy of coming together during the holiday season.

Reference List

1. Rockefeller Center. “2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.” Link.
2. New York City Tourism & Conventions. “2025 Holiday Press Release” (List of events, performances and public celebrations). Link.
3. City of Miami Beach. “Holiday Extravaganza” event page. Link.
4. South Miami Government. “Santa’s Parade of the Elves” event page. Link.
5. Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Christmas Wonderland at Tropical Park.” Link.
6. City of Las Vegas. “Holiday Happenings 2025” blog post. Link.
7. Chicago Park District. “Make It a Wonderful Winter with Chicago Park District Programming and Holiday in the Parks Events.” Link.
8. Chicago Transit Authority. “Allstate CTA Holiday Train & Bus.” Link.