Fun Fall and Winter Traditions

Things to Do in Central Park When It's Chilly 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, and winter has its perks as well in our backyard. Scroll through the list below to find out the top things to do during fall and winter in Central 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 the most Instagram-worthy photos in the park.

If you have your eye on a particular tree with a particular color, check out the NYC Parks Dept Tracker for Fall Foliage.

Bird Watching Tours 

Central Park is home to 235 species of birds, which include the black-capped chickadee and red-winged blackbird. Many of these can be seen on a three-hour bird watching tour led by guide Dr. Robert "Birding Bob" DeCandido on Friday and Saturday mornings.

Make sure you don't forget your binoculars and a camera! Check Bird Watching for details.

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

Picnics in the Park

Picnics in Central Park made easy! Pick up one of our gourmet picnic bags, 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 picnic experiences, such as our Gold Picnic Experience.

If you find the weather too chilly for your picnic tastes, customizable Gift Cards or Picnic Gifts 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, even through December.

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 (typically open from October through March), and Lasker Rink in the north (closed for renovations until 2024).

Visit our Ice Skating page for this year's most up-to-date details!

The Pumpkin Flotilla: Halloween on the Harlem Meer

The Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla has been a cherished annual tradition for nearly 30 years. 

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 come in costume if you are so inclined and enjoy the show and treats. This is an all-ages event.

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade & Balloon Inflation

The Thanksgiving Day Parade begins alongside Central Park, on Central Park West at W. 77th Street. The best viewing can be found first on Central Park West and then again later going down 6th Avenue.

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. There are 2 other markets nearby to check out on your way home from the park as well.

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! 

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.

Chanukah on Ice

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

More Chanukah on Ice Details

Menorah Lighting at Grand Army Plaza Manhattan

The world’s largest menorah stands on 59th Street in Manhattan across from the Park and the Plaza Hotel. Gatherings and lightings occur each night of Chanukah.

This event is free and open to the public. Located at the southeast entrance to Central Park.

Annual Holiday Lighting

The Conservancy’s Holiday Flotilla at the Harlem Meer (located at the entrance west of Fifth Avenue and south of 110th Street) is a well-known 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

Running enthusiasts will enjoy this timed and scored 4 mile and 10k run/walk through the park a couple weeks before the holidays. There is also a junior 1-mile race for the youngsters.

Post-race parties are hosted nearby. This is definitely a holiday run!

*This event took place in 2021 and has not yet been listed for 2022.

NYRR New Year's Eve Holiday Run

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

Sledding

When the snowflakes start to fall there's no better place to enjoy a fun-filled day of sledding in the city than Central Park. Be sure to bundle up 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 Avenue. Another less populated sledding area is Cedar Hill, which can be found between 76th and 79th Street, at Fifth Avenue.

Winter Jam

No need to worry about snow - Winter Jam supplies its own!

This annual winter sports event takes place in February and is free for all ages. It includes lessons, demonstrations, games, ice carving, and so much more.

Running and Fitness Tours

Running and fitness tours take place year-round in Central Park. Whether you want to see the sights while burning off the holiday calories, or if you're just looking for some company and motivation, you'll have plenty to choose from. Book Now

Guided Tours: Walking, Bike, E-Scooter, Pedicab, and Bike Rentals

Bike Rentals and E-Scooter Rentals are a fun way to ride through the winding paths and explore Central Park. Bike Tours and E-Scooter Tours are also available and offer a chance to learn fun facts about Central Park while taking in the sights up close with an expert tour guide.

Visit many famous landmarks and attractions on our Central Park Walking Tour, like Belvedere Castle, Wollman Rink, Gapstow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, and more. Learn about the history and architecture of the park and see where many famous movie & TV scenes were shot.

Or book a Pedicab Tour and sit back and watch someone else do all the work! 

Book a Horse & Carriage Tour

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, the iconic Bow Bridge, the Carousel, the romantic Shakespeare Garden, the 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!