
New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 22 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour worth booking?
New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour is a 2-hour experience in New York, United States, from $39 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 22 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (22)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $39 per person
Celebrate the December Holidays in style as Midtown Manhattan transforms into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. Our New York Holiday Lights Tour is perfect for holiday enthusiasts eager to witness the city's iconic festive displays. We're proud supporters of New York City Toys for Tots (we've donated over $18K since we started in 2018!) and every ticket includes a donation. Join us as we experience the holidays in the city that only New York can offer. We will take advantage of the subway to beat the street traffic, keep warm, and catch some underground holiday music. Learn about the artists and backgrounds of these wonderful displays, including the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
What you get
About this experience
Celebrate the December Holidays in style as Midtown Manhattan transforms into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. Our New York Holiday Lights Tour is perfect for holiday enthusiasts eager to witness the city's iconic festive displays. We're proud supporters of New York City Toys for Tots (we've donated over $18K since we started in 2018!) and every ticket includes a donation. Join us as we experience the holidays in the city that only New York can offer. We will take advantage of the subway to beat the street traffic, keep warm, and catch some underground holiday music. Learn about the artists and backgrounds of these wonderful displays, including the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
What's included
Included
- Lighting and window displays we visit on the New York Holiday Lights Tour
Not included
- Gratuity
- Subway ride
What you'll see and do
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Iconic Lighting & Window Displays: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
15 minutes here
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Wonderful decorations
10 minutes here
Saks Fifth Avenue
Stunning displays of decor and lights
10 minutes here
Macy's Herald Square
One of themost iconic holiday lights display of New York!
15 minutes here
Barney's
Marvel at the enchanting mechanical window displays that captivate audiences every year.
10 minutes here
Bergdorf Goodman
Get into the festive spirit with exciting encounters!
10 minutes here
Tiffany & Co.
Most magical place to be in New York City!
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
Tour meets at the Patience and Fortitude Lions in front of the New York Public Library Building at 41st St. and 5th Ave (map). When you face the library, the guide will meet you at the lion located on the RIGHT side of the stairway.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at Rockefeller Center.
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
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- New York City By Foot
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos


What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 22 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
4 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
22 verified traveler reviews for New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Well-organized and so much fun!
Mary was an excellent guide: she texted organizational details ahead of time, gave easy instructions on how to find her and what the tour will be like. Time flew by, tour quite informative but not overwhelming. Mary is a very intelligent and funny native New-Yorker, I liked how she included some gentle sarcasm talking about famous characters. Slow-paced tour with consideration for everyone’s needs and interests. Recommend booking the first night you are in NYC.
via Viator
Great experience!
Mary was THE BEST! We feel like we saw so many great things and learned so much history. My teen + kids loved the tour, and so happy to be shepherded in behind the scenes on such a busy, crowded night. Cannot say enough good things!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Mary made your experience so memorable. She loves bringing New York City's history to life, and we're delighted that your whole family—including your teens—enjoyed the tour. It's especially great to know you appreciated having an expert guide you through the busy crowds so you could relax and enjoy the experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Mary. We hope to welcome you back for another NYC adventure in the future!
via Tripadvisor
I very much enjoyed the...
I very much enjoyed the route the guide took us and thought the guide was very knowledgeable with a lot of good stories to tell. However, the pace was too slow and I didn’t appreciate us going one full hour over the scheduled time as I booked the 90 mins tour for a reason. I don’t think we should have waited for the late comers and put everyone else who were punctual behind schedule. The whole family ended up not enjoying the tour as much as I think it had the potential to be due to the slow pace and poor time management.
via Viator
It was informative. ...
It was informative. Meredith did a great job giving us the history of the buildings we saw. Just make sure you bundle up as it gets really cold at night.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We’re glad you found the tour informative and that Meredith did a great job sharing the history of the buildings along the way. We also appreciate the helpful tip about bundling up for evening tours — staying warm definitely makes the experience even better! We hope to welcome you again on another tour soon. 😊
via Viator
Very informative
Our tour guide, Meredith, was very engaging and knowledgeable. It was a very chilly night, but that didn’t dampen her enthusiasm.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind review! We’re so happy to hear that Meredith’s knowledge and engaging style made the tour enjoyable, even on a chilly night. Her enthusiasm truly shines through, and we’re glad it helped make the experience a great one. We hope to welcome you back for another tour soon! 😊
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by New York City By Foot, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 68.0.
See everything New York City By Foot runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $39 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 Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 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 Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 22 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking 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 Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour?
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Around 8 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking 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 NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown Walking Tour in New York. 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.
What is included in New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour?
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Included: Lighting and window displays we visit on the New York Holiday Lights Tour. Not included: Gratuity; and Subway ride. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour?
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Tour meets at the Patience and Fortitude Lions in front of the New York Public Library Building at 41st St. and 5th Ave (map). When you face the library. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in New York. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about New York Holiday Lights and Sights Walking Tour?
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Across 22 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, organization. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
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