Fun Fall and Winter Traditions

Things to Do in Central Park When it's Cold

For decades people have recognized Central Park as a destination with several enjoyable fall and winter traditions for families, couples, kids, tourists and local city-goers. Many of the regular traditions will be altered or canceled this year, but New York is famous for its creativity and resilience. Here are a few suggestions to take part in this year:

Central Park Holiday Gift Cards

With the arrival of fall and winter comes the holiday season - and the perfect time to gift friends and family with a unique Central Park experience! From traditional horse & carriage rides to lavish igloo picnics, we have something for everyone on your holiday gift list!

Browse Gift Card Options Now

Experience Fall Foliage

See our post on the Best Fall Photo Spots for information on some of the most picturesque locations to experience fall in Central Park.

Yoga in the Park

Our outdoor yoga classes are more popular than ever! Classes will continue as long as weather permits, possibly into November.

Picnics in the Park

Have a picnic and let someone else do all the work; pick up a pre-made meal or have us set up and deliver the whole spread, and clean up too!  We offer a unique variety of picnic services from Picnics to Go, to the Perfect Picnic Experience. Check out this list of our favorite picnic spots.

Horse & Carriage Rides

A horse and carriage ride is a unique New York experience. Enjoy riding through well known attractions and out of the way spots. If you are looking for a safe outdoor activity in the fresh air, this is a good one! New COVID-19 safety measures are in place. 

Biking Through the Park

Bring your own or rent a bike with your friends and take a ride through the winding paths of Central Park. Tours are available if you would like a guided experience.

Annual Holiday Lighting

The Conservancy’s Holiday Flotilla at the Harlem Meer (located at the Park entrance west of Fifth Avenue and south of 110th Street) is a neighborhood tradition. Check back for 2021 updates.

Columbus Circle Outdoor Holiday Market 

Well known as one of the most elegant and beautiful experiences for holiday shopping! Dates and times still to be determined - check back for details.

Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla

The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla has been a cherished annual tradition for nearly 30 years. This magical event returns to the Harlem Meer in late October with crafts, storytelling, a costume parade, and more. But its most iconic component is the festive flotilla—featuring homemade jack-o’-lanterns bobbing into the open waters in a dusk-time spectacle.

Central Park Holiday Classic Run

A timed and scored 5 mile run that usually takes place in December. Check back for 2021 updates.

Winter Jam Festival

Check back for 2022 details on Winter Jam, a free winter festival that usually happens every year around February 1st. 

Museums Near the Park

Plan a little bit ahead and visit one of the many museums surrounding the park. Purchasing a timed ticket is required and can be done easily from your phone. Why not take advantage of the 50% capacity limit and see exhibits you've been meaning to see and enjoy the extra elbow room? 

  • American Museum of Natural History located at 79th and Central Park West. NY, NJ & Conn. residents (with ID) pay what you wish. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Find out the difference between an outbreak, epidemic and a pandemic. Or learn about the T. Rex!
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art located at 82nd And 5th Avenue. New York State residents, pay what you wish. Open Thursdays and Fridays 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday to Monday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See the Making the Met exhibition and the new roof garden commission, Héctor Zamora's Lattice Detour with stunning views of Central Park.

Central Park Walking & Biking Tours

Guided walking and biking tours like our Central Park Tour offer a chance to learn fun facts about Central Park while taking in the fall foliage up close with an expert tour guide in one of New York City's most scenic areas.

Visit many famous landmarks and attractions on our Central Park Tour like Belvedere Castle, Wollman Rink, Gapstow Bridge, Conservatory Garden, the Loeb Boathouse and more. Learn about the history and architecture of the park and see where many famous movie & TV scenes were shot. Book Central Park Tour (both bike and walking available)

Horse and Carriage Tours

Horse-drawn carriage rides are another traditional way to spend time in the park while kicking back with a loved one and indulging in the crisp fall air and winter wonderland sights. Sites seen typically include the Wollman Rink, the Pond, the Central Park Zoo, Sheep Meadow, the Mall, Cherry Hill, the Dairy, the Carousel, Strawberry Fields and the Dakota (former residence of Beatle John Lennon).

Horse-drawn carriages are available for rides year round and can be reserved online. The price of the ride is based on how long you want it to be, with most carriage rides lasting between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. You can also order specialized add-ons such as extra time, photography, flowers, chocolate, or specific pick up and drop off locations. Rides can be personalized beforehand for wedding proposals, anniversaries, birthdays or other special occasions. Book a Horse & Carriage Tour

Carriage rides are extremely popular during the holiday season and there is usually a line for a walk-up ride, so reserving online is highly recommended.

Pedicab Tours

A pedicab tour of Central Park is a great way to see the sights without doing a lot of work! Your driver will show you many well-known attractions and famous landmarks throughout all parts of Central Park while you sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. Save up to 60% when you book online (vs. walking up at the park). Book a Pedicab Tour

Bird Watching Tours 

Another tour full of photo-ops is the three-hour bird watching tour led by guide Dr. Robert "Birding Bob" DeCandido on Friday and Saturday mornings. Check Bird Watching for details.

Central Park is home to 235 species of birds, which include the black-capped chickadee and red-winged blackbird. For this tour, make sure you don't forget your binoculars and a camera!

For additional spots to take photographs of birds and other wildlife, head to the Pond and the Reservoir.

Ice Skating 

Ice Skating is one of the park's most popular pastimes. It can be a romantic outing for couples, a fun activity for families and a great reason to get friends together on a brisk fall or winter day.

There are two separate ice skating rinks in Central Park: Wollman Rink, located in the southeast part of the park, and Lasker Rink in the north.

Sledding

When the snowflakes start to fall there's no better place to enjoy a fun-filled day of sledding and other winter festivities in the city than Central Park. Be sure to bundle up in your snow pants, gloves and winter hats and bring your sleds, flying saucers and toboggans to go down the snowy hills!

Pilgrim Hill has the steepest slopes, with its entrance located at 72nd Street and Fifth Ave. Another less populated sledding area is Cedar Hill, which can be found between 76th and 79th Street at Fifth Ave.

Weddings in Central Park

Central Park is known as one of the most romantic parts of the Big Apple to have a wedding. Popular places to say "I do" are Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the Loeb Boathouse, iconic Bow Bridge, the Carousel, romantic Shakespeare Garden, picturesque Belvedere Castle and other top wedding spots in Central Park. 

Contact us to start planning your perfect wedding!

Proposals in Central Park

Proposals are also especially popular during the holiday season, especially when paired with a romantic horse and carriage ride or some surprise photography.

Contact us to start planning your perfect proposal!

Picnics in Central Park

When weather permits, private picnic events such as social picnics, corporate parties, and kids' birthday parties are a big hit!

Our picnic team offers individual to-go options, delivery options, and custom options available to fit every need and budget! Book a picnic today.

Contact us to start planning your perfect picnic!