Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

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‘Tis the season for NYC’s holiday markets, and we have the scoop on the most popular ones. The holiday train show is back at the New York Botanical Garden. Laugh your way into the holidays with Stone and Stone. Our holiday party is around the corner, and tickets are going fast. Our Insider Club members are having a great time—join us.  Our Long Island reporter introduces of to an author who never stopped dreaming. And our roving phographer is on the wild side.

December 5. The Most Fun Party of the Season

Join us for a fabulous afternoon to celebrate the holidays. We have a private room and an Italian feast awaiting us at Tony’s Di Napoli. Plus Rick Bogart’s fabulous jazz trio, Tomato singers, raffle prizes, and a surprise guest.  The perfect way to kick off the holidays. GET DETAILS AND TICKETS.

Spotlight on Long Island: Meet Marilyn Levinson

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponokis introduces us to beloved Long Island author Marilyn Levinson — also known to mystery fans as Allison Brook — who at 86 continues to prove that passion knows no age limit. From her early days teaching Spanish to her celebrated Haunted Library Mysteries, Marilyn’s journey is one of perseverance, creativity, and heart. With her newest release Death on Dickens Island, she blends local flavor with timeless storytelling, reminding us all that the best chapters can be written later in life. GET THE DETAILS.

Join the Insiders’ Club

This Sunday we will be touring the backstage of the Metropolitan Opera House. Next month, we will be treated to a luxury spa experience, and we have great adventures in the works for next year. Don’t get left out! GET THE DETAILS.

Ring in the Holidays with laughter

Our favorite comedy duo, gay/straight twin brother comedians Stone and Stone have two upcoming performances this season. We love their funny, smart witty humor. Catch one or both of the shows coming up.

November 20. Motley Montclair Comedy Show—with Stone and Stone. Get details.

December 14th – 7:30 PM SO Jewish Holiday Comedy Night at the  acclaimed South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) for this fun night of standup with chutzpah! Get your TICKETS

They also have a very funny YouTube podcast.

 New York City Holiday Markets 2025

Courtesy Bryant Park / Credit to Colin Miller

The holidays in New York City sparkle brighter than anywhere else — and this year’s markets are ready to welcome you with festive cheer, artisanal gifts, and seasonal treats. Whether you’re strolling under twinkling lights, sipping hot cocoa, or hunting for that perfect handmade present, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 season.

✨ Opening Dates & Highlights

• Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
  • Opened October 24, 2025
  • Over 180 boutique shops, free ice skating, cozy igloos, and a dazzling Christmas tree.
  • Holiday Shops run through January 4, 2026; the rink stays open into March.
• Union Square Holiday Market
  • Opens mid‑November 2025
  • More than 185 vendors offering handmade gifts, festive food, and interactive photo booths.
  • Closes December 24, 2025.
• Columbus Circle Holiday Market
  • Opens mid‑November 2025
  • European‑style booths with mulled wine, artisan crafts, and Central Park views.
  • Closes December 24, 2025.
• Grand Central Holiday Fair
  • Opened November 10, 2025
  • Indoor market — perfect for chilly days — featuring curated gifts and local artisans.
  • Runs until December 24, 2025.
• Macy’s Holiday Square (Herald Square)
  • Already open for the season.
  • 30+ shops inside Macy’s flagship, with festive décor and gifts galore.
  • Runs until January 4, 2026.

Other festive stops include the Oculus Holiday Market, Chelsea Market pop‑ups, and Brooklyn favorites like FAD Market and Navy Yard Market.

🕒 Hours Snapshot

• Bryant Park Holiday Shops: 11 AM–8 PM weekdays, 10 AM–8 PM weekends
• Union Square Holiday Market: 11 AM–9 PM weekdays, 10 AM–9 PM Saturday, 11 AM–7 PM Sunday
• Macy’s Holiday Square: 10 AM–9 PM weekdays, extended hours Friday–Saturday

🎁 Plan Your Visit

For the full festive experience, plan your holiday market stroll between mid‑November and December 24, when all of NYC’s iconic markets are in full swing. From Bryant Park’s early start in October to Union Square’s bustling December crowds, each market offers its own magic — and together they make New York City the ultimate holiday destination.

 NYBG Holiday Train Show 2025–2026

Step into one of New York City’s most beloved winter traditions: the Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). For more than three decades, this dazzling exhibition has enchanted visitors of all ages, blending the timeless magic of model trains with the artistry of botanical architecture.

🌟 Dates & Location

• November 15, 2025 – January 11, 2026
• Held inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and across the Conservatory Lawn in the Bronx.

🏙️ What You’ll See

• Nearly 200 iconic New York landmarks recreated in miniature, using bark, leaves, pinecones, seeds, and other plant materials.
• Famous structures include Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the original Penn Station.
• New for 2025/2026:
  • A botanical replica of the Whitney Museum of American Art (Leonard A. Lauder Building), with its striking asymmetrical façade crafted from horse chestnut bark and reeds.
  • The Delacorte Theater, home to Shakespeare in the Park, joining the Central Park tableau alongside Belvedere Castle and Bethesda Fountain.

🚂 The Experience

• G-scale trains weave through bridges, tunnels, and cityscapes, offering a whimsical journey across New York’s past and present.
• Outside, a glowing mountain-scape brimming with trains creates picture-perfect moments.
• Holiday Train Nights (select evenings) transform the Conservatory after dark with festive lights, cocktails, and live entertainment — perfect for date nights or group outings.
• Sensory-friendly mornings are available on select dates, offering a quieter experience for families.

🎟️ Tickets GET ALL THE DETAILS HERE.

• Adults: $35–39
• Children (ages 2–12): $25–27
• Seniors/Students: $31–35
• Members: Free
• Discounts available for early purchases before November 26, 2025.

Roving on the Wild Side

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

Take a walk on the wild side and visit the Bronx Zoo! This 265 acre forest situated in middle of the city is home to over 11,000 animals and more than 700 species. It opened in November 1899 with the goal of wildlife conservation, and still upholds its original intentions of care, education and preservation. The zoo also operates a veterinary hospital established in 1916.

I was one of over 2 million annual visitors to see the flamingos’ pink reflections in the water and wait for the male peacock to spread his colorful wings. I saw the heft of the brown bear as he frolicked and spotted the beautiful tiger as he blended into the environment.

Surprisingly the zebras were my favorite animals. Their graphic stripes were deliberate and absolute, reminding me that some things are simply black and white. I felt in touch with nature in the middle of the most urban jungle there is, New York City.

A visit to the zoo is a joyful gift that reaches your inner child and lets her frolic in the past, present and future of the incredible wonder of our earth’s wildlife!

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.”