Where did November go? We don't really know either, but we also know we're jumping out of our socks with holiday cheer.
What does December evoke in your minds? For us, it's lit up Christmas trees, powdery blankets of fallen snow, and lots of whiskey-spiked apple cider.
In NYC, we've also got plenty of stunning, towering Christmas trees, beautiful ice rinks, and wild holiday celebrations.
We don't know about you, but we plan to spend the entire month in a holiday-glazed enchantment. We plan to marvel at the lights strung up outside Bloomingdale's, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and the menorah in Bryant Park.
Were you wondering what to get up to this month? That's sleigh bells to our ears, because we've compiled a list of 13 must-do events for you to hit this December in NYC. Read on to find out what they are.
1. Star Wars and the Power of Costume (December 1st - December 18th)

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So far, there have been seven Star Wars films, and they've all been mind-blowing (good, bad, they blew our minds in one way or another). It's no big secret that the new Star Wars movie will smash into theaters on December 18th.
Do you consider yourself a Jedi? Are you interested in battling the dark side? Would you like to join the force?
Or maybe you're just a Star Wars buff who's totally fascinated by all the costumes. At the Star Wars and the Power of Costume exhibition, there will be 70 hand-crafted costumes on display from the first six Star Wars films.
Yes, these are the costumes that were actually warn in the films; from Darth Vader's mask to Princess Leia's bikini. Come to Times Square and check them out. Grab your tickets here.
2. Tree Lighting Skate-tacular at Bryant Park's Winter Village (December 1st)

nyctips4you Olha essa árvore de natal maravilhosa no #bryantpark ! Quem estiver aqui em #NYC no dia 01 de dezembro poderá participar do evento de inauguração da árvore às 6 da tarde !!! Não percam e já aproveitem pra fazer umas comprinhas nas lojinhas de Natal do parque e mostrar as habilitates na pista de patinação😬☃⛄️🕶👒👜. 🇺🇸 At December, 1 at at 6 pm there will be an event at #bryantpark to welcome the Christmas tree! Take a look at the repost info and join for this great opportunity and to see the #wintervillageatbryantpark shops! 👍🏼 #nyc #nyc #nyctips4you #nyclovers #christmas #christmastree #wintervillage #iceskating #shopping #christmasgift #natal#natalemny #natalemnyc #viagem#traveltips #traveling #tour #tourism #bryantparkicerink
The Winter Village at Bryant Park is essentially heaven for any holiday loving New Yorker. Why? Well, let us explain.
It's got a free admission ice rink, plenty of absurdly delicious and ethnically varied food vendors, and more than 125 boutique-like shops, all in custom designed kiosks.
So you should definitely make it out to the Bryant Park Winter Village from 40th to 42nd Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues sometime before January 3rd. You should especially make it out to Bryant Park's Winter Village on December 1st, though, for the wild, crazy, beautiful Skate-tacular.
The tree will be lit, "The Lights Before Christmas" will be performed on ice, and it'll all be followed by public skating to live music curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Basically, it sounds pretty amazing, and it's going down from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. We're going. Are you?
3. See Allegiance on Broadway (December 1st - December 30th)
On December 7th, the 74th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor will force Americans to confront several truths:
That we're the only country that's ever dropped an atomic bomb, that those atomic bombs killed around 226,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that between 110,000 and 120,000 Americans of Japanese descent were incarcerated during World War II in the United States.
Allegiance, a thriller of a Broadway play, contends with all this. It's a multi-generational tale of one Japanese American family's love, optimism, and heroism.
It's also an entirely stunning play. Have you been looking for the right reason to splurge on Broadway? This might just be it. Allegiance will be staged just about every night in December, and you can get your tickets here.
4. Columbus Circle Holiday Market (December 1st - December 24th)

lilnewyorkernyc 36 days till this cuteness!! The Lil' New Yorker shop opens at the #ColumbusCircleHolidayMarket on December 1st! #lilnewyorkernyc #popup #shop #cutenessguaranteed #unique #holiday #gifts #babies #kids #shoplocal #shophandmade #december2015 #urbanspacenyc
During the festive season, NYC's holiday markets pop off in a big way. You could snag gifts at the Union Square Holiday Market, feast on the delicacies at the Bryant Park Winter Village, and peruse the wares at the Grand Central Holiday Fair.
In December, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market adds to the madness. It'll begin offering food and presents on December 1st at 10 a.m.
This particular holiday market will feature bites from some of the city's most delicious food vendors, gifts for sale from more than 100 artisans and designers, and will be completely alight with all the splendor of the holiday season in NYC. Check the list of vendors here.
5. Radio City Christmas Spectacular (December 1st - January 3rd)

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Oh, what's the Radio City Christmas Spectacular? If you're asking this question, you clearly haven't been paying attention.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is just the most iconic Christmas show in the most beloved Christmas city. It's been enchanting New Yorkers for 82 years, and the Rockettes have dizzied New Yorkers with spectacular dancing since 1933.
The show features 90 minutes of dance, fireworks, and a flying Santa. That's right. A flying santa. Want to be a part of the magic? Want to attend one of the most high profile holiday shows in all of NYC?
Go ahead. It's okay to channel your inner tourist every once in a while, especially if it's for a time-old, beloved NYC tradition. Get your tickets here.
6. Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting (December 2nd)

autenticonuevayork ¡2 días para que se encienda el árbol de Rockefeller! ¿Quién estará este año allí para verlo? #rockefellercenter #rockfellercentertree
On December 2nd, Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree will blare out stunning, enchanting, colorful lights for the 83rd year in a row. Do you like being a part of Christmas history?
We thought you would. What's merrier than watching the igniting of the prettiest tree in the city? Come out to the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting. It's free, and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thousands crowd the sidewalk between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues every year. This year's ceremony will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but since we expect a mob, we'd suggest getting there much earlier.
7. Central Park Christmas Tree Lighting (December 3rd)

laurenmariegabbard Little House on the Lake. #harlemmeer #harlem #charlesadanadiscoverycenter #discoverycenter #lake #northcentralpark #centralpark #manhattan #newyorkcity #nyc
Looking for a more low-key Christmas tree lighting ceremony than the Rockefeller insanity?
Then come out to the 19th Annual Dana Holiday Lighting. It's going down in the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues in Central Park from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on December 3rd.
Were you looking to meet Santa? Watch a live ice craving demonstration? Sing carols on the plaza and warm up with hot cocoa and cookies? This event will have all that, plus it'll conclude with the lighting of a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer.
Also, it's free and practically a Christmastime in NYC requisite, since it's bound to be absolutely gorgeous.
,8. Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl (December 5th)
Is it really holiday season if you don't get completely wasted while wearing a completely ugly sweater?
We'd argue that it isn't. We'd also suggest you stay out of Facebook photos so your great aunt doesn't find out you wore the sweater she knitted for you to an ugly sweater pub crawl.
So, stay warm in your ugliest, silliest, thickest wool sweater during the NYC Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl. You'll get totally sloshed from all the drink specials at some of your favorite bars. Plus, tickets are only $10.
The adventure begins at Bar None where you'll receive your cup, wristband, and map of participating bars. The specials include $3 draft beers and half priced well drink and mixed cocktails. We'll be real with you: that is quite a deal.
Gather a crew and storm the East Village wearing the most absurd sweater you can find. Grab tickets here.
9. Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise (December 6th - January 1st)

hornblowercruises After a busy day in New York City, it's nice to reflect and enjoy the view! #Hornblower
One of the best parts of living in this concrete metropolis is the sparkling rivers surrounding us on either side. That's not a question. That's a fact. That's why we think the Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise sounds like a pretty stellar, you-can-only-do-this-in-NYC type of activity.
Every Sunday starting on December 6th, and continuing until January 1st, a Hornblower cruise ship will set sail from Pier 40. Its passengers will revel in the delights of live jazz, the unbelievable views on the Hudson River (did someone say Statue of Liberty?), and a delicious brunch buffet.
If you love food, champagne, and jazz music, you'll love this cruise. Those river views don't really hurt either. Get your tickets here.
10. NYC Latke Festival (December 7th)

karloffnyc @karloffnyc is ready to #rock&roll at the #LatkeFestival @metropolitanPavillion on monday December 15th
NYC isn't just great for Christmas; Hanukah in this city can get pretty wild as well.
This includes, but isn't limited to, the 7th Annual NYC Latke Festival. As you may have guessed, the NYC Latke Festival involves lots and lots of latke eating.
At the NYC Latke Festival, there will be latke selections from talented chefs and restaurants all across the city. You'll even get the chance to be a part of the selection for the People's Choice Best Latke.
The best part? Besides all the crispy, oily, delicious latkes, of course? All the proceeds from this event will directly benefit The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating through hands-on experiences on the farm and in the kitchen.
There will be latkes from Veselka, The Vanderbilt, Tolache, Ben's Deli, and many more. Grab your tickets here.
11. Winter Ball (December 12th)

rosemaryponzodesigns A #Winterwonderland at #Holiday #House #gala #NewYork #nightlife benefitting Breast Cancer Research at #academymansion #beauty #glamour #photo by #RosemaryPonzo
Do you love jazz? Dancing? What about open bars?
At Winter Ball, going down at 9 p.m. on December 12th at Academy Mansion, you'll have access to all this, and more. There will also be light fare and sweet treats on top of that premium open bar.
As for jazz music, Michael Arenella Sextet will play a special songbook of Jazz and holiday favorites all night long. All we can say about this is, you'd better be ready to dance.
There will also be guest performances from Nicole Renaud, plus other surprise performances.
Some other great news is that guests who purchase tickets to Winter Ball will receive complimentary admission to the Jazz Age Tea Dance at Webster Hall on December 13th. If you're a jazz aficionado, this two-for-one deal might be just what you need.
To get your fancy on at the Winter Ball, get tickets here. Hurry, we promise they'll sell out.
12. SantaCon (December 12th)
SantaCon, oh SantaCon. How we love and loathe SantaCon all at once.
Here's our advice about SantaCon: you should just participate, get completely smashed, and drink all day long. That sounds better than spending the whole day directing anger toward everyone dressed as Santa, stumbling through NYC's streets, doesn't it?
If you don't know what SantaCon is, we'll tell you: It's essentially a nonsensical bar crawl in which partiers dressed as Santa pour into the city off bridges and tunnels, where NYC's resident millennials spend the day dressed as Santa pouring beer into their faces.
SantaCon can be very fun, so if you haven't participated, we suggest you do so at least once.
The route won't be revealed until December 11th. Until then, you can read SantaCon's code, which essentially pleads participants not to litter, puke on anyone, or cause property damage. Yeah, SantaCon gets wild.
13. Good Riddance Day (December 28th)
We're guessing you have some bad memories you need to get rid of. An ex you're still holding onto. A decayed friendship you haven't let go of. In our opinions, plus the opinions of Good Riddance Day's creators, you should get rid of all this heavy, negative baggage before New Years.
Hence, the premise of Good Riddance Day: from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on December 28th, New Yorkers will storm Times Square to shred their bad, sad, and even embarrassing memories. Afterwards, you'll be able to head into 2016 with a clear head, baggage-free.
Good Riddance Day is inspired by a Latin American Tradition in which New Year's revelers stuffed dolls with objects representing bad memories before setting them on fire.
To participate, show up in Times Square ready to draw pictures or write an explanation of your terrible memories. Then, get ready to shred.
Check out 35 Amazing Indoor Concerts This December in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy NBC New York]



