Celebrating the Holidays in New York City

Spending the holidays in New York is a magical experience; there is something for everyone with a wide variety of shows and attractions plus some of the world's greatest shopping. Here is a guide to some of the activities that you won't want to miss.

1) The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This year's tree will be lit on Wednesday November 30. The tree lighting ceremony will take place from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will include a wide variety of musical performances, including the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is typically illuminated from 5:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. daily, except on Christmas and New Year's Eve. On Christmas, the tree is illuminated for 24 hours and on New Year's Eve the lights are turned off at 9:00 p.m. There are also other Christmas Trees throughout the city. You can find them at Lincoln Center, South Street Seaport, City Hall and the Cathedral of St John the Divine.

2) Ice-skating is also a very popular during the holidays. While visiting the tree you can also go ice-skating at the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink. The ice skating rink is open during the following times.

· 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
· 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
· 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
· 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
· 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
· 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
· 8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
· 10:30 - 12:00 midnight
Depending on the time you go, the cost is between $14 and $17 for adults and $10 to $12 for children and adults. If you are not a skater you can just sit and watch. You can also go ice-skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park; the rates are a little cheaper with the most expensive price being $12. For more information visit www.wollmanskatingrink.com. If you don't want to spend the money to go ice-skating you can go to Bryant Park and skate for free, visit www.bryantpark.org for more information

3) The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. This is the show to see during the holidays. This show starring the World Famous Rockettes also features singing and dancing and is highlighted by the living nativity. The show opens on November 9th and runs to December 30 with more than 200 performances. The show runs for 90 minutes. For more information visit www.radiocity.com. Another Christmas shows worth seeing is the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - George Balanchine's annual holiday treat featuring that one-ton Christmas tree rising magically from the stage. Other shows worth seeing include Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall and this year How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be on Broadway.

4) While in New York you have to do some shopping. All the big department stores in the city, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Lord and Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue, all offer great shopping as well as seasonal window displays. If you don't want to spend your money in the stores, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park and Union Square all offer Christmas shopping villages. Here you can find many homemade items, such as jewelry, artwork and clothing. Of course you have to finish your shopping experience by visiting FAO Schwartz, whether you have kids or not you won't be disappointed.

5) You can also visit South Street Seaport for 19th century caroling, seasonal entertainment and more - to get you into the holiday shopping mood. South Street Seaport will become a sparkling winter wonderland in the midst of all the frantic preparations. By mid-November, the Seaport will shine over downtown with brilliant white lights and festive music. Traveling choruses and choirs will grace the various stages with songs from around the world.

6) If you want to venture outside of Manhattan you can go to the Bronx for the Holiday Light show at the Bronx Zoo. This includes more than a hundred illuminated animal and holiday sculptures, an array of local choral groups, the Holiday Express Train and the Polar Bear Express Experience. Visit www.bronxzoo.com for more information.

7) You can also celebrate the Christmas season by visiting St Patrick's Cathedral. St Patrick's celebrates 7 masses each weekday. Or you can just walk around the Cathedral, which is open daily from 6:30 to 8:45 AM. Midnight Mass is something you should experience at least once, but you have to get there early to get a seat.

8) For those who celebrate Chanukah you can visit the worlds largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza, 59th Street and Fifth Avenue which is lit each night of Chanukah

Of course you can still visit many of the standard New York attractions, such as Broadway, the Empire State Building and Central Park. New York has something for everyone.