Building off last year’s “Yes Insiders, Santa Claus is a New Yorker,” Chief Experience Officer Justin Rivers delivers this virtual holiday card by tracing the history and secrets of some of New York City’s time-honored holiday traditions. On December 16, join us for a fun look at how New York sets the trends for the holiday season all over the globe. Ridiculous holiday sweaters optional!
Learn how Santa Claus really is a New Yorker by birth. Explore how and when the Christmas windows started. Hear the story of the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the origin story of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Learn about the duel between the world’s largest menorahs. How in the world did we come to celebrate New Year’s Eve by dropping a ball at midnight? The event is free for Untapped New York Insiders (and get your first month free with code JOINUS). Non-members can purchase tickets for $10 via Eventbrite.
Secrets of the Holiday Season In New York City
Santa Claus in fact had his origins in New York. Although Santa Claus made some early appearances in Europe, Washington Irving’s parody of Dutch culture in New York, History of New York, presented Santa Claus as a Dutch sailor with a pipe in a green winter coat. The anonymous poem “Old Santeclaus with Much Delight,” which popularized Santa Claus as a reindeer-riding Christmas figure, was published in New York.
The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was erected in 1931 during the Great Depression. On Christmas Eve, people stood around the 20-foot tree and decorated it with ornaments including strings of cranberries and tin cans. Just two years later was the first Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which presented live stage shows along with new Hollywood films.
On December 16, join us for a fun look at how New York sets the trends for the holiday season all over the globe. The event is free for Untapped New York Insiders (and get your first month free with code JOINUS). Non-members can purchase tickets for $10 via Eventbrite.
Next, check out 10 Fun Facts About the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!
