The holidays are fast-approaching, and that means the annual procrastination of holiday shopping can no longer be put off! We get it, shopping for loved ones can be stressful. But what if we told you that we have the perfect gift ideas guaranteed to please every age?
Experiential gifting is the perfect way to connect with friends and family during the holidays, and boy do we have some recommendations! Gift your loved ones something they’ll remember for years to come, from incredible concerts to wizarding adventures to a special treat for a movie buff and more. You’re sure to find the perfect gifts with our ultimate experiential gift guide below:
1. Candlelight Concerts
Whether you love pop, classical R&B and more, the Candlelight Concert series is bringing mesmerizing experiences to NYC’s loveliest spaces! The captivating Candlelight Holiday Special featuring “The Nutcracker” and more is the perfect way to ring in the festive season!
For fans of jazz and soul there is a performance featuring renditions of holiday tunes by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. For the old souls there is one show featuring Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra Christmas songs. Tickets are available for all three performances. Whichever one you experience this holiday, it’s sure to be memorable.
2. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest
Make this holiday magical and go on an adventure with your favorite muggles to Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest. The beautiful and expansive Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Westchester County, NY has brought scenes from the movies to life. If you’re looking to take a trip out of the city during the winter, this enchanting experience is just an hour and a half away from Manhattan (check out a batch of directions here). You can have an epic duel with someone, cast your best “Patronus” and see characters of the films which are woven throughout the experience! Don’t miss out and “Accio tickets” before they vanish!
3. Titanic. The Exhibition
For anyone who is a history buff, Titanic. The Exhibition is a deeply moving experience where you can learn about the fateful voyage. There are personal belongings and other relics from passengers and survivors. Visitors can also experience life-size recreation of the ship’s interior. This thought-provoking exhibit is located just a short walk away from Union Square’s holiday market at 526 6th Avenue and tickets are currently available.
4. Banksy: Building Castles in the Sky Exhibition
Calling all rebellious art lovers! he elusive artist is still taking fans by storm, you’ll never know where or how he and his powerful art will pop up! With limited availability, Banksy: Building Castles in the Sky Exhibition is a private collection of the dynamic artist’s original and verified artworks. Over 100 pieces are displayed including sculptures, Banksy of England banknotes, vinyl designs and more, but not for long! Tickets are still available but the exhibit will only be here until Dec. 29th.
5. Lumagica: An Enchanted Forest
Illuminate your holiday season at Lumagica: An Enchanted Forest. Experience over 750,000 LED lights through whimsical and festival displays. The experience is located at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, just an hour away from Manhattan by car or MetroNorth and tickets are currently on sale! (If you are taking MetroNorth, there will be a 10 minute cab ride to the location). With photo ops at every turn, the scenery is perfect for families and Instagrammers alike!
6. Miracle NYC
Tickets are available to Miracle NYC which is located near Times Square at 234 W 42nd St. It’s a mesmerizing holiday spectacular, boasting hundreds of lights and stellar displays. There are also fun crafts and activities for kids such as baking and enjoying cookies with Chip the Elf and creating their own ornament. Kids can also relax with a special story time with Mrs. Claus and write a letter to her hubs, Santa! If you want to soak up the festivities in Midtown Manhattan, then Miracle NYC is a good place to start.
7. A Very Sinatra Christmas Special
For any Frank Sinatra fans, tickets to this exceptional concert would be the perfect gift! A Very Sinatra Christmas is located at 74 Wythe in Brooklyn. This indoor show has breathtaking views of Manhattan’s skyline. Listen to renditions of classics such as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “New York New York” and so many other notable tracks sung by talented jazz vocalists. This event is for ages 21 and over and makes for a perfect date night or special holiday outing.
8. Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience
For a more adult holiday outing, Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience is for the sassy ones in your life! Christmas-themed cocktails will be flowing and there will be dynamic performances and unique acts. Before the main show there will be a path with eight different installations to explore. Snag tickets to this naughty and festive experience which includes a live band, ballet, burlesque and more entertainment!
9. Airotic: A Circus Style Cabaret Dinner Show
Airotic: A Circus Style Cabaret Dinner Show has been delighting its’ adult guests with world-class acrobatics and delicious cocktails. This event has a special Cirque-style cabaret dinner show at HK Hall (605 W 48th St) in Manhattan. You’ll definitely get your name on the naughty list for attending this raunchy event and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Airotic: A Circus Style Cabaret Dinner Show is only here until the end of December so secure your spot while you can!
10. The FRIENDS™ Experience
Grab some of your besties and relive your favorite scenes from one of the most popular series! The FRIENDS™ Experience allows you to step into favorite moments and settings of the show. You can lounge in Chandler and Joey’s recliners, pivoting a couch in a tiny apartment stairwell or spilling some tea at Central Perk. Tickets are available for this unique experience, this event will stay in NYC throughout 2023! So celebrate this notable television show and give your friends a fun and memorable experience this holiday.
11. Game of 1000 Boxes: NYC’s First Live Game Show
Ever wanted to be on a game show? Game of 1000 Boxes: NYC’s First Live Game Show can have up to 32 players face off for a chance to win one of the mystery boxes! The game takes place at Lightbox, located 248 W 37th Street and the experience lasts approximately one hour long. With the purchase of one ticket you will be paired with up to three other players around a single podium, working together as one team of four. There is admission for one, two or a group of four people. Snag tickets for the competitive brainiacs in your life!
12. MoonRise: A Nouveau Circus Immersive Performance
For astrology lovers, you can tap into your inner moon goddess at this event! MoonRise: A Nouveau Circus Immersive Performance, an immersive theatrical experience with circus-based acts, multi-sensory interactive installations and themed cocktails. Identify your moon goddess based on your birthday and learn more about the traits of your sign. Limited tickets are available until mid-January 2023. Celebrate Sagittarius and Capricorn season with this unique experience!
13. Lunar Cocktail Experience
You can continue your journey with moon goddesses at the Lunar Cocktail Experience. Located at MoonRise NYC, in Brooklyn, at 1329 Willoughby Ave., is the place to be on Fridays! Get ready for the new Lunar Cocktail Experience which will enchant you with uniquely crafted cocktails served by ancient moon goddesses. There will also be performances of dance, acrobatics and circus-themed acts! Standard admission includes entry to the experience plus five different lunar cocktails and entry to afro beat after party.
14. NYC Winter Lantern Festival
Enjoy the festivities and culture of NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Journey to the East! Located at SIUH Community Park in Staten Island, this radiant oasis is a joyous experience for the whole family and tickets are currently on sale. The event features handmade lanterns and light displays inspired by Chinese myths and legends. One in particular is a larger-than-life handmade display of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King reaching 33 feet tall!
15. AMC Black Tickets
Calling all movie buffs! If watching “A Christmas Story” at home for 24 hours straight doesn’t fill your cinematic needs, then the AMC Black Ticket just might! One AMC Black Ticket is valid for any 2D movie, on any day at any time. This ticket can be used at participating AMC Theaters across the United States. It is offered at a discounted promotional price of $11.49. Just remember movie age restrictions do apply.
Source: secretnyc.co