I am from Scotland and am planning a trip to New York for the first time. I can't decide between staying over Thanksgiving or at the start of December.

Which time is the busiest?

Is there anything else to do on Thanksgiving Day apart from the parade - I heard everything was closed that day?

When does the build-up to Christmas begin?

Defnitely choose Christmas. There's a lot more to do and the city is more exciting and lively. The buildup starts around Thanksgiving and just keeps building. The giant tree in Rockefeller Center is lighted around early December.
Except for the parade, New York is pretty closed up for the day on Thanksgiving.

Another vote for Christmas - a great time to be in NYC.

Adele,
I'm a Brit living in New York. Thanksgiving is celebrated more widely here than Christmas, and everything is dead on that day. The build up to Christmas is much later here than in Britain - remember a large proportion of NY doesn't even celebrate it and is fairly low key. I would recommend the beginning of December over Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the advice guys. Any suggestions for what's good to do around that time?

My vote is Christmas. Thanksgiving, with the exception of the parade can be quiet. First time visitor? I would definetely make reservations to see the Christmas Show at Radio City, some think it is touristy but what a fun time. Good tickets sell out fast. Of course the tree at Rockefeller Center, usually are lit b the 5th of December, tour the NBC studio and watch the iceskaters. Have a wonderful trip to NYC it is a special place with very special people. and for you cynics, no I am not a New Yorker!

Adele -

I'm topping a post for you titled "One Traveler's Opinion: New York at Christmas".

If it has dropped down on the list of posts by the time you read this and you can't find it, just put "New York at Christmas" in the search box at the top of the page.

You won't have any trouble finding things to do around Christmas. I suggest buying "Time Out" when you get here to find a listing of the churches that have concerts.

Definitely see the beautiful tree in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And seeing the store windows decorated for the holidays, my favorite is Lord & Taylor's windows.

If you haven't made up your mind yet, you probably don't have a room reservation yet. You are likely to be staying outside the city if you don't by this late date.

But I think there is one thing forgotten here. Even if Dec. nearer to Christmas is still a good time, Fri after Turkeyday is Black Friday - the days right after Thanksgiving are as active as you could want even if Thur itself is dead.

Christmas in New York is magical !