
New York City Holiday Lights Tour
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Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 663 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is New York City Holiday Lights Tour worth booking?
New York City Holiday Lights Tour is a 4.5-hour experience in New York, United States, from $89 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 663 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (663)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $89 per person
Embark on a magical evening with our NYC Holiday Lights Tour, showcasing the city’s festive best from Times Square to Rockefeller Center! Experience dazzling light displays, iconic sights, and holiday cheer in a journe
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a magical evening with our NYC Holiday Lights Tour, showcasing the city’s festive best from Times Square to Rockefeller Center! Experience dazzling light displays, iconic sights, and holiday cheer in a journey that captures the spirit of New York City during the most wonderful time of the year! Join us for this unforgettable holiday tour, perfect for creating those special photo memories and experiencing the city’s festive spirit like a local!
What's included
Included
- Guided Walking Tours
- Expert Local Tour Guided Narrative
- Bottled Water on Buses
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Times Square
Starts at 5:30 pm Duration: 4 Hours
20 minutes here
Hudson Yards
See the decorations and stunning retail displays at Manhattan's newest iconic attraction: the Vessel
15 minutes here
The High Line
Guided Stop
15 minutes here
South Street Seaport Historic District
Offering a breathtaking view of the Brooklyn Bridge at night! This 300,000-square-foot, 5-story building is home to some amazing restaurants, cafes, bars, retail stores, and event spaces. Please note that food and drinks are optional and are not included in the price of your tour ticket.
20 minutes here
Pier 17
Experience amazing views of the Brooklyn Skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge!
20 minutes here
Wall Street
Visit the Christmas Tree outside the NYSE & Federal Hall.
20 minutes here
Grand Central Terminal
As we head back to our starting location on Times Square, our next stop is Grand Central Terminal for a quick indoor tour of this iconic NYC landmark and the views of the Chrysler Building and NYC's newest skyscraper - One Vanderbilt!
30 minutes here
Chrysler Building
View From the Bus
Pass by without stopping
St. Patrick's Cathedral
View From the Bus
Pass by without stopping
New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
View From the Bus
Pass by without stopping
We finish at the iconic Christmas tree celebrated worldwide, where we can visit the ice-skating rink and storefronts for Radio City and the Today Show, among others.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
On 7th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets (middle of the block) in Manhattan
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
On 7th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets (middle of the block) in Manhattan
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- USA Guided Tours NY
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- If you're driving and need to park your vehicle - the closest garage parking is at 140 W 51st St, NY, NY 10020 and at 209 W 51st St, NY, NY 10019
- Seats are assigned on a first-come first-served basis so please arrive 20 - 30 minutes before tour's departure time for a timely check in
- Food/drinks are optional and are not included in the price of your tour ticket
- Please note that we do not provide pick-up and drop-off service for this tour
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 663 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
663 verified traveler reviews for New York City Holiday Lights Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Ms. Rachel, the friendly...
Ms. Rachel, the friendly night tour guide, was gracious and accommodating during our winter night tour. We enjoyed her detailed narrative of the points of interest. We recommend Rachel’s tour.
via Viator
Rachel and Juan did an...
Rachel and Juan did an excellent job on this tour. Rachel is very knowledgeable about NY. Even though I have been to NY several times, she took us to places I have never seen and explained these places. If I ever get back to NY I would do another tour with Rachel. She and Juan are a great asset to Viator.
via Viator
NYC Sparkles at Christmas
This Christmas lights tour of New York City was absolutely magical and one of the best ways to experience the city at night during the holidays. Visiting Grand Central Station, Wall Street and other sites instantly put us in the Christmas spirit. From the glass roof bus, we could experience the lights and sights of the Chrysler Bldg, Trinity Church and the Ghostbusters Headquarters (from the movie) and many, many more. Traveling through the city at night and taking in so many beautifully lit landmarks made the experience feel special and festive. Everything was well organized, relaxed, and thoughtfully planned, allowing us to truly enjoy the sights without feeling rushed. This tour is a wonderful mix of holiday charm and iconic New York scenery, and it’s perfect for visitors or locals looking to see the city shine during Christmas. Highly recommended for a memorable and festive night out. 🎄✨
via Viator
Holiday Lights Tour
We looked forward to this tour during our visit to NYC. It was titled Holiday Lights, however our guide focused mainly on the sites of New York. Informative and interesting however somewhat disappointing on the holiday lights. We did see the NYSE tree and the Rockefeller Center tree but it felt like we missed out on other iconic holiday displays, such as Saks and Macy’s windows, etc. One stop was to a pizza shop for a slice of NY-style pizza. One would think it was included with the cost of this tour, however, it was not. One thing that really bothered me was that we did not get dropped off where we got picked up as the description said. This would be a great general tour to see the sites of NY but a bit of a let down for a holiday lights tour.
via Tripadvisor
Waste of $$
This is not a Holiday lights tour. For 89$ per head we saw about 3 actual holiday lights- rest of the tour was architecture and buildings/ hospitals of the city. Save your $$ just do the hop on off tour- cheaper- multiple routes trips option plus u can use those tickets for the whole day! Guide and driver efforts are appreciated though.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 232
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
New York City Holiday Lights Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does New York City Holiday Lights Tour cost?
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Prices start at $89 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does New York City Holiday Lights Tour take?
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Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is New York City Holiday Lights Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 663 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule New York City Holiday Lights Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is New York City Holiday Lights Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book New York City Holiday Lights Tour?
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Around 232 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does New York City Holiday Lights Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
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New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
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September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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