December New York City Activities to Help You Practice Your English November 28, 2018

Living in New York City in the month of December can feel like a constant Christmas carol. From the lights and the music to the shopping and overcrowding at the spectacular tree at Rockefeller Center, it can feel like it’s Christmas for the whole month. No matter how long you’ve been in the Big Apple, you still might be wondering about all that there is to do in this great city in one of the most exciting months of the year. In fact, there are SO many options that it might feel overwhelming.

They say that when you’re in New York City, you’re never really alone, but if you have questions, you might feel nervous to approach strangers for directions or help in translating. All of the events that I’ll be discussing in this post allow you to open up and practice your English speaking skills – and still get you into the holiday spirit in one of the greatest cities in the world.

1. Take advantage of the seasonal tours; all month

Whether you’ve been here in New York City for months or perhaps years, it’s easy to feel like a tourist when you participate in a guided tour around the city, which may discourage you from taking one. But in December, thousands of people flock to NYC to check out the lights and all the festivities that the city has to offer, so there’s no better time to indulge and blend in as an outsider. From bus tours that show you all the holiday lights and holiday movie scenes to cruises that glide you through the river as you catch the cityscape and all of its holiday lights. If you have questions about the city or the holiday or even the culture, now’s your chance to practice your English skills by asking fellow tourists if they know! What better time to blend in?!

2. Bryant Park Winter Village’s Tree Lighting; December 4^th

If you don’t know by now, it’s somewhat of a good idea to avoid Rockefeller Center during the month of December—it’s always packed full of people and sometimes difficult to get a good view. (I recommend going either really early in the morning or if you can hack it, pretty late at night.) For a similar yet more intimate feel, Bryant Park puts on its own tree lighting ceremony, which is just as beautiful. They even put on an ice skating show to partner with the tree lighting, so you’ll be entertained at all angles. There will surely be hundreds of people at this event, so this is another chance for you to interact with others that are still learning the city or come from different cultures. We can all learn from each other!

3. Harry Potter: A History of Magic; New York Historical Society

If you’re anything like me, sometimes I can use a break from the Christmas overload. There are times when I just want to enjoy a normal day without the holiday being all around me, so I included an event that isn’t centered around Christmas. This exhibit displays all of the artwork included on the popular series’ covers, and since the series is celebrating its 20^th anniversary of the US publication, there will surely be many Harry Potter fans in attendance. If you’re a fan of the series and need a break from the overabundance of Christmas setting, be sure to check this event out, as more details continue to come out. And as an added note: if you haven’t read the series, these are great books to invest in for your English reading comprehension. Then, once you finish the books, treat yourself to the movies.

December really is a magical time to be in New York City, and there are always so many wonderful things to see and do during this time of year. It’s fun to get bundled up and listen to all the Christmas cheer and jolly. People tend to spend more money during this time of year due to the tradition of gift-giving, which also means that there will be many pick-pockets out and about. While I’ve always felt safe in this wonderful city, I’ve still always been very aware. So as you’re out and about with your friends this holiday season, practice your English listening skills and always be aware. Just as much as this time of year is the season of giving, there are many that need help, so be alert!