Rockefeller Center and Other Christmas Displays in New York

The magic of the Holiday season truly comes alive in New York City. As you walk along the bustling, crowded city streets the smell of roasting chestnuts fills the cold winter air. You might be on Fifth Avenue headed to St. Patrick's Cathedral, (460 Madison Ave.), to view the Nativity Crèche and feel the lovely peace and beauty of the magnificent architecture of the Cathedral around you. No matter what your faith or spirituality the Cathedral is a truly wonderful place to visit any time of year. Especially at Christmas it does evoke the Holiday and all that it should mean to every person.

The location of the Cathedral is near Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Two more places where you can take in the beauty of the season. Rockefeller Center is the home of the annual Christmas tree that you see every year on TV. You approach the tree erected in the plaza along the walkway lined with beautiful lighted Angels holding their heavenly horns to herald the birth of the "Newborn King". The tree overlooks the famous ice skating rink, which is open beginning October 8, 2005. Check their website for pre season and holiday season schedules and prices. The tree will be lit this year on November 29, 2005 at 9:00 p.m. and will remain lit through January 6, 2006.

Not to be missed is a stroll on Fifth Avenue to view the department store windows and the magical, mechanical displays within. The huge glass windows are usually roped off so that visitors can walk along past the windows and marvel at the creative displays inside. This is a particularly wondrous site for little ones. But adults too can step into the moment and feel like a child again.

The famous Radio City Music Hall is located at 1260 6th Avenue, New York, NY, between 50th and 51st Streets. The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. runs from Nov. 3, 2005 until Dec. 31, 2005. This 90 minute program stars the world-famous Radio City Rockettes in what has become the best loved holiday theatrical by generations upon generations. The finale of the show "One Solitary Life" presents a living Nativity, highlighting the meaning of the season and bringing to a close the magnificent Christmas Spectacular in the "Showplace of the Nation".

Leaving the location of the Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, you can travel up Fifth Avenue to 1000 5th Ave. to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Annual Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche. The tree is on view in the Renaissance area of the Museum from November 22, 2005 through January 8, 2006. The Blue Spruce tree soars 20 feet up toward the high ceiling and is approached through the Medieval Sculpture Hall, where it is placed in front of the magnificent Spanish choir screen from the Cathedral of Valladolid. Appropriate Holiday music is played softly to enhance the experience of seeing this magnificent display. The tree is decorated with silk robed Renaissance style Angels. The base of the huge tree is surrounded by a miniature Medieval Village. The feel of the display and location make it seem as if you are in Europe and not right in the heart of busy, hectic, modern day Manhattan.

Use the links provided to learn more about the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Christmas Tree display, Radio City Music Hall and the Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center.

Resources:

Metropolitan Museum of Art - Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche.
http://www.metmuseum.org/search/iquery.asp?attr1=christmas&command=text&c=t%3A11%2F%2F%3Assl%2F%2Fsitemap+taxonomy%2F%2F%3ASpecial+Exhibitions%3A

The Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center
5th Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets.
http://rapatina.com/iceRink/

Radio City Music Hall
http://www.radiocity.com/eventcalendar/home