Fun Fall and Winter Traditions

Things to Do in Central Park When It's Cold in New York

When the heat of the summer finally lets up and the city is buzzing with renewed energy, Fall puts on a glorious show in Central Park. Save the gas by skipping a drive north and enjoy Our Own Backyard. That goes for winter too! Scroll through for our lists of Events & Activities for Fall and Winter in the Park.

Fall & Winter Annual Events in the Park

The Pumpkin Flotilla: Halloween on the Harlem Meer

Brush up on your carving skills and see if your pumpkin gets picked to float in the parade of pumpkins across the Harlem Meer. Or just kick back in costume if you are inclined and enjoy the show and treats. The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla has been a cherished annual tradition for nearly 30 years. All ages.

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade & Balloon Inflation

Did you know the Thanksgiving Day Parade begins along side Central Park on the West side and some of the best viewing can be found on Central Park West. You can also join New Yorkers for a traditional viewing of the massive balloons being inflated the day before the parade.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market and others in the neighborhood

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market by UrbanSpace is well known for its festive and elegant presentation of holiday shopping. It's also a foodie's paradise. We have 2 more markets nearby to check out on your way home from the Park as well.

Chanukah on Ice

Enjoy skating under the stars with traditional Jewish music, kosher food including donuts and latkes, and even a skating dreidel!

Menorah Lighting at Grand Army Plaza Manhattan

Don't be mislead - experience the (1st) World's Largest Menorah lightings throughout the evenings of Chanukah! This event is free and open to the public and located at the southeast entrance to Central Park.

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. On the afternoon and evening of the lighting, activities for the whole family include beverages, singing, ice carving and more.  The finale is a flotilla of sparkling lit Christmas trees floating across the Harlem Meer.

Central Park Holiday Classic Run

A timed and scored 4 mile and 10k run/walk through the Park a couple weeks before the holidays - to get you in the mood. There is also a junior 1 mile race for the youngsters. Post race parties are hosted nearby. This is definitely a holiday run!

NYRR New Year's Eve Holiday Run

NYRR holds an annual New Year's Eve run in Central Park at midnight. It is a festive atmosphere with Santa costumes, fireworks at midnight, music and dancing and oh yes, the 4 mile run!

Winter Jam

No need to worry about snow - Winter Jam supplies its own! This annual event for all ages is a welcome free festival in February that includes lessons, demonstrations, games, ice carving and a lot more.

Fall & Winter Activities in the Park

Experience Fall Foliage

You'll be singing Autumn Leaves to the camera while you're posing for pictures with the magnificent background of Central Park in the fall. See our post on the Best Fall Photo Spots for tips on locating Instagram worthy photos.

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 usually opens at end of Oct. and Lasker Rink in the north which will be closed for renovations until 2024.

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.

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.

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.  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.  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.

Picnics in the Park

Have a picnic and let someone else do all the work; pick up a pre-made meal or have an entire spread delivered, set up, and cleaned up too! We offer a unique variety of picnic services from Picnics to Go, to the Gold Picnic Experience to Picnic Gifts. You'll very often find that the weather stays mild enough well into the end of fall for picnics, you can even have a Thanksgiving picnic some years. If you find it too chilly, customizable Gift Cards are available.

Yoga in the Park

Our outdoor yoga classes are more popular than ever! Classes start in March/April and will continue as long as weather permits, possibly through December.

Running and Fitness Tours

We offer a variety of running and fitness tours to suit your needs and schedule. Whether you want to see some sights while getting in a run or are just looking for some company and motivation, you'll have plenty to choose from. Check out our offers. 

Guided Tours - Walking, Pedicab and Bike Rentals

Bicycling: 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.

Guided tours 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  (bike and walking available) Or Book a Pedicab Tour and sit back and watch someone else do all the work!

DIY Scavenger Hunts

Use your smartphone to get clues to a scavenger hunt inside Central Park. Answer questions, solve puzzles and learn NY trivia. Groups of all sizes and people of all ages love this enduring favorite. Here's your first clue: click this link to find out more about these scavenger hunts and to get a discount code for 20% off.

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!