How a Rockette spends Christmas in New York City

The Rockettes (Credit: MSG Entertainment)

For 100 years, The Rockettes have symbolised Christmas in New York City. Now, troupe member Brooklyn Bronson shares her tips on how to enjoy the city's holiday magic.

It's mid-December, but for Rockette Brooklyn Bronson, it is the third month of Christmas... and counting.

"[We] start rehearsals in September, so Christmas starts pretty early for us," says Bronson, now in her fourth season with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. "Six hours a day, six days a week… And I love it! Christmas is my favourite holiday so I'm not mad about it. It's really special."

Now celebrating their centennial year, the US' most famous all-female precision dance troupe has long been the embodiment of Christmas in New York. Each kick ignites visions of snowy walks in Central Park and window displays on Fifth Avenue; images immortalised in countless films. Roughly 7.5 million visitors flock to the Big Apple every year to capture that magic for themselves, making New York City one of the world's most iconic Christmas destinations.

Sitting in her dressing room and glittering in her costume's ruby-like sparkles, Bronson pulls out a photograph of herself as a beaming girl with a Rockette crouched next to her.

"I was fortunate enough to [see the Christmas Spectacular] when I was eight years old. I immediately fell in love!" says Bronson, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest. "I got to meet a Rockette. She was my inspiration and to this day I keep up with her. [Becoming one] was my dream. Every time I put on a costume like this, I'm, like, 'Oh my god I'm a Rockette!'"

From November until New Year's, Bronson and the troupe will perform up to four shows each day. But despite the strenuous schedule, she never tires of the spectacle.

"It's such an honour when it's someone's first time seeing the show or their 60th time. We have families who see the show [as] their Christmas tradition. That wasn't my experience but what an awesome opportunity to be a part of someone else's."

The BBC recently sat down with Bronson to ask how she spends Christmas in the city, when she's not high-kicking across stage. Here are this Rockette's favourite ways to feel the New York City Christmas spirit.   

The Rockettes live and breathe Christmas for months, but what is the official start of the Christmas season for New York City? 

The [Macy's] Thanksgiving Day parade, when Santa comes on his sleigh. Usually, the Rockettes have just performed right before. [That's when] New York's, like, 'Alright, it's time to celebrate Christmas!' And you have the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting; we are also very grateful to perform [at] that. Those things help bring the Christmas spirit.

Hot cocoa is a cold-weather favourite that feels more special at Christmastime (Credit: Getty Images)

What's your favourite holiday treat?

I love hot cocoa! Serendipity [in Times Square and the Upper East Side] has one of my favourites; they have the frozen hot chocolate which is fun. And Glace has a cart that's in Rockefeller Center.

They have the famous marshmallow that you torch with fire; marshmallow delightfulness! Sometimes I'll go over there and pick up a hot cocoa and you can watch the ice skaters or you can ice skate yourself and see the Rockefeller tree, so it's a whole experience. And if you go to the Bryant Park Winter Village, Max Brenner also has delicious hot chocolate. Those are my top three! [I love it year-round] but I think it's there's something special to having it during Christmas time.

[Also], my family and I love to have tea together and so at least once a year we'll go to The Plaza [Hotel near Central Park]. It's a little quieter [there so] it's nice to sit down and have time with your family and friends.

And for a holiday meal, I would say La Grande Boucherie [in Midtown] is a great option. It's gorgeous; they have archways that are covered with garlands and Christmas decor. 

Where are the most iconic holiday shopping spots?

You have the iconic Fifth Avenue with the stores and the holiday windows. The [Christian] Dior windows are gorgeous. Sak's [Fifth Avenue] is always fun to go and visit. Where else? I think Chelsea Market is a fun place to go if you're looking for a holiday trinket.

What's the best NYC-themed holiday gift for someone you don't know?

I love to give books; there are some really fun New York-specific books and the photography is incredible, like [the books by] The Dogist. I have a French bulldog at home so I love books where I can see a New York dog.

I love McNally Jackson [booksellers]. One of my favourite locations is down in the South Street Seaport; they also have a gorgeous Christmas tree there. It's right on the waterfront and that bookstore is just the cutest.

Ice skating in Central Park is a classic holiday activity for visitors and locals alike (Credit: Getty Images)

What is your favourite NYC holiday activity?

I love to ice skate. Winter sports were very big where I grew up. I think [Wollman Rink at] Central Park has to be my favourite because you get the whole cityscape. After that, you can take a walk through the park and have a calmer afternoon. You can pop out of there and go get dinner somewhere. It's a perfect thing to do with your family and friends.

Bronson loves strolling the Upper East Side to see the beautifully decorated door stoops (Credit: Getty Images)

What is your favourite NYC neighbourhood to soak up the holiday spirit?  

I always make a trip up to Upper East Side and visit the stoops and their decorations; they tend to go pretty hard. It's just fun to get a hot cocoa and travel around all the streets. It's usually around East 70th to East 80th where you see some of the gorgeous decorations that these houses have put up. They'll do honestly everything you can think of, from gingerbread decor to Santas to snowmen to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. If it's campy, I love it; the more decorations, the more fun to look at.

New York City is famous for its multitude of beautiful, giant Christmas trees (Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Giant Christmas trees are symbolic of New York City Christmas. Which is your favourite?

I'm a Met member so [its Christmas tree] is one of my favourites to visit. Not only do you get the experience of going through the museum and seeing some of the beautiful historical paintings – everything about the Met is gorgeous – you also get to see their decorated Christmas tree and it's always gorgeous every year.

BBC Travel's The SpeciaList is a series of guides to popular and emerging destinations around the world, as seen through the eyes of local experts and tastemakers.

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