Magpie

Holiday Lights Tour NYC Aboard the North Pole Express

From$129
1h 15m
New York City, USA

About this activity

See NYC's most dazzling Christmas lights from the upper deck on a 1 hr 15 min, 7-mile holiday lights tour with audio narration, carols, hot cocoa, and a visit with Santa at the North Pole.

Highlights

  • See Midtown Manhattan’s famous holiday lights
  • Sip hot cocoa with chocolate treats on board
  • Meet Santa and Express conductor in NYC
  • Enjoy a Christmas carol sing-along
  • Receive a secret sleigh bell present

Full description

Nobody does Christmas lights quite like New York City, and the best way to see them is from above the crowds on the Holiday Lights Tour aboard the North Pole Express. Board at 42nd St by Bryant Park for a 1 hour 15 minute, 7-mile route past Manhattan's brightest holiday displays: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show, the giant red ornaments and Holiday Trees on 6th Ave, Radio City Music Hall, Cartier's holiday lights, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Grand Army Plaza, Columbus Circle, Grand Central, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the Bryant Park Winter Village. An audio narration shares fun facts about each landmark while the Express Conductor and two of Santa's elves lead Christmas carols. Stay cozy with a complimentary winter hat and blanket, sip fresh hot cocoa with chocolate treats from your guaranteed upper-deck seat, and finish at New York's very own North Pole for one-on-one time with Santa and a special present.

Join the Holiday Lights tour on New York's favorite double-decker adventure bus! Prepare to be dazzled as we take you to the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in all its glory and New York's very own North Pole to meet Santa himself. Best of all, enjoy fresh hot cocoa and chocolate treats, complimentary winter hats and blankets, and a special present from Santa at the end. Exclusives: a festive, thematic experience, audio tour narration, Christmas carol singing with the characters, one-on-one time with Santa, and a 7-mile route to see NYC's brightest holiday lights.

Included / Excluded

  • Visit with Santa, two of his elves, and the Express Conductor
  • Hot cocoa and chocolate treats
  • Guaranteed seating on the upper deck
  • Audio tour narration on a 7-mile holiday lights route
  • Complimentary winter hat, blanket, and a special gift from Santa
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to the departure point
  • Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

1

North Pole Express NYC Departure - 42nd St

Board the North Pole Express at 42nd St between 5th & 6th Ave, next to Bryant Park. Receive your Golden Ticket, holiday blanket and Christmas hat, and take your guaranteed upper-deck seat as two of Santa's elves welcome you aboard.

10 min
2

Rockefeller Center

Ride past the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and holiday displays, sipping hot chocolate as the elves share Christmas stories and the Express Conductor leads carols.

Meeting point

Start Location

North Pole Express NYC Departure - 42nd St

11 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, USA

Departs from 42nd St between 5th & 6th Ave, across the street from 11 W 42nd St (next to Bryant Park). Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure. The tour returns to the same location.

Get directions →

Operating hours

  • Sunday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM
  • Monday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM
  • Tuesday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM
  • Wednesday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM
  • Thursday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM
  • Friday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM
  • Saturday05:00 PM, 05:30 PM, 06:00 PM, 06:45 PM, 07:15 PM

Important information

Know before you book

  • All tickets are non-refundable
  • Mobile e-pass accepted; no printed ticket needed
  • Seasonal departures run Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027

Know before you go

  • Please arrive 15 minutes before departure; the bus leaves on time
  • Seating is guaranteed on the upper deck, and pajamas are welcome
  • The tour operates rain or shine
  • Infants under 2 ride free on the lap of a guardian (16+); buy a Kid ticket if a seat is needed
  • Gluten-free and dairy-free treats on request; tell staff about any allergies at boarding

Cancellation policy

0

All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable.

Frequently asked questions

FAQs

Additional information

How the Holiday Lights Tour works: 1) Book your ticket online and choose a departure at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:45, or 7:15 PM. 2) Your e-pass is sent to your phone - no printing needed. 3) Arrive at 42nd St between 5th & 6th Ave (across from 11 W 42nd St, by Bryant Park) 15 minutes before departure. 4) Scan your e-pass, receive your Golden Ticket, winter hat, and blanket, and take your guaranteed seat on the upper deck. 5) Ride a 7-mile route past NYC's brightest holiday lights, including the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the Saks Fifth Avenue light show, with audio narration and carols led by the Express Conductor and two of Santa's elves. Enjoy hot cocoa and chocolate treats along the way. 6) Arrive at the North Pole for one-on-one time with Santa and a special gift. 7) The bus returns you to the same 42nd St departure point after approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

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