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December is when Central Park looks most like the movies: skaters on Wollman Rink under the Midtown towers, the Plaza across the street from where our rides start, and Fifth Avenue windows a short walk away. This page lists what is on in and around the park in December 2026, which dates are confirmed and which are not announced yet, and how a pedicab ride fits around them.
The short version. Wollman Rink is open daily until March 16, 2027. The Rockefeller Center tree is lit on Wednesday, December 2. Bethesda Fountain is switched off for restoration this winter, but the terrace is open. Daylight is short — the sun sets at about 4:30 pm — so late-morning and early-afternoon rides see the park best. Every pedicab has blankets and a cover.
What's on in December 2026, and how far it is from our meeting point
| What | Where | 2026 dates | From our meeting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wollman Rink skating | Central Park, near 59th St & 6th Ave | Open daily, Oct 28, 2026 – Mar 16, 2027 | About 5 min on foot |
| Bergdorf Goodman windows | Fifth Ave at 58th St | Not announced yet (2025: Nov 20 – Jan 5) | Across the street |
| Saks Fifth Avenue windows and light show | 611 Fifth Ave, at 50th St | From Monday, Nov 23, 2026 | About 12 min on foot |
| Rockefeller Center Christmas tree | Rockefeller Plaza, between 49th and 50th St | Tree arrives Nov 7; lighting Wednesday, Dec 2, 2026 | About 12 min on foot |
| Central Park Zoo | East side of the park at 64th St | Winter hours from Nov 1: 10 am – 4:30 pm, last entry 3:30 pm | About 7 min on foot |
| Tavern on the Green tree | Central Park West at 67th St | Not announced yet (2025: lit Dec 2) | About 25 min on foot |
| Columbus Circle Holiday Market | Southwest corner of the park | Not announced yet for 2026 | About 15 min on foot |
| Bryant Park Winter Village | 42nd St & 6th Ave | Open since Oct 28; shops until Jan 3, 2027 | About 20 min on foot |
Our meeting point is Central Park South at Fifth Avenue, across from The Plaza Hotel. Dates checked on November 3, 2026. “Not announced yet” means the organiser has not published 2026 dates; we will update the table when they do. Walking times are approximate.
Thanksgiving week: the 100th parade and the balloons
Thursday, November 26 — the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It starts at 8:30 am at 77th Street and Central Park West, comes down Central Park West and turns along Central Park South before heading down Sixth Avenue. In 2025 the city closed 59th Street from Fifth Avenue to Columbus Circle and Central Park West from 72nd to 59th Street for most of the day, and 2026 is expected to be similar. Our meeting point is on that stretch, so rides cannot start there while the parade streets are closed. Pick another day, or check the times the booking calendar shows for November 26.
Wednesday, November 25 — balloon inflation. The balloons are blown up outside the Museum of Natural History, between 77th and 81st Streets west of the park. It does not affect the drives inside the park.
From Thursday to Sunday, November 26–29, holiday prices apply (see below). The 2026 route and closure times come from news reports; the city usually publishes the official closures a few days before the parade.
The Home Alone 2 spots in December
Christmas is when people come looking for the places from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Three of them are right by our meeting point: The Plaza Hotel across the street, Gapstow Bridge over The Pond at about 62nd Street, and Wollman Rink just north of it. Our Home Alone 2 pedicab tour covers them and then continues to Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue. For the full list of scenes, see our Home Alone 2 filming locations map.
One thing to know for Midtown. Between November 12 and January 7, city law lets the police close Midtown streets (59th to 39th Street, Lexington to Eighth Avenue) to pedicabs for longer than usual. No such order for 2026 has been published. If one affects your date, we will tell you before the ride; the Central Park part of the tour is not affected.
What's closed or different this winter
Bethesda Fountain has been switched off and fenced since early August 2026 for a restoration expected to last about a year, into summer 2027. Bethesda Terrace and the arcade underneath stay open, so you still get the staircase and the view over the lake.
Conservatory Water, the model-boat pond on the east side, is due to close for restoration from late 2026 until about spring 2028.
Central Park Zoo keeps winter hours until March 25, 2027: 10 am to 4:30 pm, last entry 3:30 pm. The park itself is open 6 am to 1 am every day of the year, Christmas and New Year’s Day included.
Central Park in winter: January to March
After the holidays the park gets quiet. The crowds leave with the Christmas trees, Wollman Rink keeps skating until March 16, and after a snowfall the Mall and the bridges look their best. Regular prices return on January 4.
| Month | Average high / low | Average snow | Sunset (mid-month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 44°F / 34°F | about 5 in | 4:31 pm |
| January | 40°F / 28°F | about 9 in | 4:54 pm |
| February | 42°F / 30°F | about 10 in | 5:31 pm |
| March | 50°F / 36°F | about 5 in | 5:48 pm (Mar 1) |
Weather: Central Park averages for 1991–2020 (NOAA). Snow usually falls on only 2 to 4 days a month, so most winter days are dry and cold.
Riding in the cold
Every pedicab has blankets, and the canopy blocks most of the wind. You sit still for the whole ride, so dress warmer than you would for a walk: a hat, gloves and a scarf make the difference. Light snow is lovely. If the drives ice over, we move the ride to another time or refund it in full.
For a full list of what to bring, see our pedicab ride packing list.
Holiday prices
Holiday dates (Nov 26–29 and Dec 1 – Jan 3): Classic $45 adult / $40 child, Premium $75 / $50, Deluxe $90 / $70, Home Alone 2 $84 / $75. The 30-minute Economy is not available on those dates. Regular prices return on January 4.
A 6% online booking fee is added at checkout. Prices are per person. Each pedicab carries up to three passengers, and every ride is private. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your ride. See the full Central Park pedicab tour price list.
December questions people ask
Yes, all winter. You ride under a blanket with the cover up. Holiday prices apply on November 26–29 and from December 1 to January 3, and the available times for each day are shown in the booking calendar.
No. The fountain has been switched off and fenced since August 2026 for a restoration expected to last into summer 2027. Bethesda Terrace and the arcade are open.
The Home Alone 2 tour goes on to Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue after the park. The other tours stay inside Central Park; the tree is about a 12-minute walk from our meeting point. The 2026 tree is lit on Wednesday, December 2.
Light snow is no problem, and the park looks wonderful in it. If the drives ice over, we move your ride to another time or refund it in full.
Daily from October 28, 2026 to March 16, 2027. It is about five minutes on foot from our meeting point, in the south end of the park.
Yes. Central Park is open from 6 am to 1 am every day of the year, including Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Book a December ride
Private rides from 1 hour to 2 hours, the whole total shown before you pay, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Or call (929) 770-7705 · info@truridenyc.com
Coming in autumn instead? See the Central Park fall foliage guide.
What Riders Say About TruRide NYC
Rated 5.0 on Google and 4.8 on GetYourGuide. You can also read our reviews on GetYourGuide, Viator, Yelp and TripAdvisor.
- ★★★★★
“Tim and Dylan provided a great tour of the Park. They were knowledgeable and friendly. I would book again!”
Erin Potts · August 16, 2026 · Google Review - ★★★★★
“Great experience. Dil was our guide and we got to see Central Park in 1 hour. Dil was very kind and friendly, took our pictures, and I would 100% recommend.”
Daniel Cullen · August 8, 2026 · Google Review - ★★★★★
“It was a great experience with Vali, very knowledgeable!”
Divit Vasu · August 12, 2026 · Google Review - ★★★★★
“Good info and relaxing ride with lots of photo opps.”
Alexa Jocic · August 14, 2026 · Google Review - ★★★★☆
“We did enjoy our tour with Vali. He showed us nice places, took good pictures, and told a lot of stuff about New York.”
Romy Luijte · August 10, 2026 · Google Review - ★★★★★
“Best tour guide!!”
Julia Lewis · August 15, 2026 · Google Review
