No one does Christmas like NYC - here's your insider holiday-season guide

It's the most wonderful time of the year, with chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Santa Claus coming to town. Walking along merrily lit Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on a misty November evening, past the elaborate holiday window displays and luxury storefronts dressed up like gigantic Christmas gifts, I find myself smiling as I hum sentimental carols.

You'd have to be a real Grinch not to love Christmas in New York City. Even for those who don't celebrate the religious holiday, a festive-season visit to the Big Apple deserves a place on the travel bucket list. The light displays are fantastic, the themed cocktails are delicious, and the seasonal entertainment will make you feel like a kid again.

The holiday season, as Americans call it, unofficially kicks off with the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, there's more chance of snow in late December, though in recent years, the flurries have been elusive. Between mid November and early January, enjoy festive performances, winter exhibits and holiday light displays across the five boroughs.

Insider tip: Score 25 per cent off hotel stays booked from January 2 to February 9 with the NYC Hotel Week promotion. nyctourism.com

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Cameras at the ready, tour the famed light shows and window displays of New York's ritziest stores and hotels. Even if you've seen the holiday decorations a hundred times in movies and television shows, there's nothing like seeing it in person.

Manhattan's five-star hotels go all out with whimsical displays and grand decor gestures. Don't miss the Plaza, the Lotte New York Palace Hotel and the Peninsula New York. Stroll along Fifth Avenue, where Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany, Cartier and Louis Vuitton are just some of the storefronts you'll want to photograph. Worth noting, Saks Fifth Avenue will break a 20-year tradition in 2024 by replacing its dazzling holiday light show with a more subtle display.

Over on Sixth Avenue, the area near Radio City Music Hall hosts street-art decoration that includes massive red ornaments, oversized candy canes and Christmas trees. Further down the avenue at 34th Street Herald Square, Macy's always puts on a beautiful show.

Book ahead for Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, an after-dark experience that leads visitors through see-it-to-believe-it installations created by renowned international light artists.

INSIDER TIP: For the bargain price of $US2.90 ($4.50), see the lights along Fifth Avenue on a city bus (look for the M1, M2, M3 or M4).

If there's one live performance that sums up the season, it's the annual Radio City Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular. The high kicks are legendary, as are the dazzling costumes and set design. Dancers train year-round for the feel-good show for all ages at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.

Book in advance for the best seats to The Nutcracker at New York City Ballet's David H Koch Theater. It's a multi-generational family tradition for many New Yorkers to attend the show every year and the popularity of the ballet is unparalleled. See 90 dancers, 62 musicians and more than 125 children bring to life George Balanchine's magical tale.

Rug up and gather around for the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Held annually in early December, the beloved event is celebrated with A-list musical performances and a 23-metre tree. Everyone is invited to the outdoor ceremony, with thousands attending.

It will be cold, it will be crowded, but attending the New Year's Eve Times Square Ball Drop at least once will be unforgettable. For the best views and access to drinks (and toilets), splurge on a ticket to a New Year's Eve rooftop party. Some of the best include The Skylark, Bar 54 at Hyatt Centric Times Square and St Cloud Rooftop at The Knickerbocker Hotel.

INSIDER TIP: Never pay full price for tickets. Check Groupon, TodayTix and nytix.com for discounted show entry.

New York's outdoor holiday markets start popping up in late November and stay open until New Year's. Stallholders set up shop in chalet-style temporary structures, recreating the ambience of Europe's most-loved outdoor markets. Don't be surprised to hear carollers singing their hearts out.

Items for sale run the gamut from ornaments to clothing, handmade jewellery, city souvenirs, gourmet chocolates and more. Three of the best are found at Union Square, Grand Central Station and Columbus Circle.

After shopping the wares at Bryant Park Winter Village, rent some ice-skates and indulge in another NYC festive-season favourite activity.

Raise a glass to peace, joy and love for all. Festive cocktails and decor at bars and restaurants are fun and made for sharing on social media.

Elegant French brasserie La Grande Boucherie brings a taste of Christmas in Paris to Manhattan, with more than 1000 ornaments, 15,000 string lights and a show-stopping tree. Located on West 53rd Street in Midtown, it's a go-to for excellent steak frites and delicious French wines.

A Christmas classic, Rolf's German restaurant is known as NYC's most festive restaurant. It's open year-round, but its popularity reaches a crescendo in December. Feast on Bavarian dishes, including schnitzel and strudel, while downing German beers and crafted cocktails. How about the vodka-spiked Holiday Martini, made with Irish cream and chocolate liqueur?

Bar Blondeau's Holiday Tea is an elegant treat at the Wythe Hotel in trendy Williamsburg. Guests are served savoury sandwiches, sweet bites and mini honey-butter scones on a tiered stand. Cocktails feature local spirits and creative concoctions.

For two months from mid November, Great Jones Distilling Co's Whiskey Wonderland pops up in Manhattan's NoHo neighbourhood. The distillery's speakeasy is transformed into a cosy winter chalet, complete with a roaring fireplace, twinkling lights and crave-able cocktails including Sleighbell Sour (bourbon, cranberry, honey, cinnamon, lemon and egg white).

Downtown at the Seaport District, Watermark's Winter Wonderland takes over a 900-square-metre outdoor bar and restaurant on Pier 15 with heated glass houses, Santa's Game Room, spiked hot chocolate and toasted s'mores.

INSIDER TIP: Reservations are essential and many events fill up months in advance. Book a table as soon as you can.