Christmas lights in New York City

Getting in and parking

• Take the R to 86th Street or the D to 79th Street, then walk 10–15 minutes.
• Parking is scarce and traffic heavy on peak nights — the subway is the better plan.
• Stay on the sidewalk, don't block driveways, keep the noise down and take your trash with you: people live here.

On the map

• The main blocks — 84th St at 12th Ave
• Subway — R train, 86th St
• Subway — D train, 79th St

Worth knowing

• Weekend evenings from 5 to 9 pm in mid-December are the busiest. Weeknights are far calmer.
• Bus tours from Midtown exist if you'd rather not do the subway at night.

On the map

• Center Plaza

Worth knowing

• It stays lit from 5 am to midnight, so you don't have to go at peak evening hours.

Getting in and parking

• Only the Bronx River and Southern Boulevard gates are open for Holiday Lights — Asia and Fordham Road are closed.
• Parking is $22 a car, first come first served.
• By subway: 2 train to Pelham Parkway, walk west to the Bronx River entrance (Gate B). The BxM11 express bus runs from Madison Avenue straight to the Bronx River entrance.

On the map

• Southern Boulevard gate and parking — $22
• Bronx River gate and parking — $22
• Subway — 2 train, Pelham Parkway

Worth knowing

• Allow two to three hours. Tickets must be booked in advance.

On the map

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Getting in and parking

• Metro-North Harlem local from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station, across the street from the Mosholu entrance. The station is under renovation through 2026 — allow 10–15 extra minutes for the detour.
• The garage is at 401 Bedford Park Blvd. Validate your ticket at a garden ticket window, or you pay the event rate.

On the map

• Parking — 401 Bedford Park Blvd
• Metro-North — Botanical Garden station

On the map

• Hudson Yards