MY NYC HOLIDAY DIARY: CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

SashaRay
2 days ago
2 min read

Hello, my beloveds.

There are places in the world where you can feel magic on your skin.

But New York during the holidays exists in a completely different league.

I’ve always dreamed of celebrating Christmas and New Year in NYC, and this year that dream finally became reality. My Christmas holidays in New York felt like a movie — and for once, I was the main character.

This city has my heart. Being here during the most magical time of the year felt like stepping inside a classic holiday film, where every street, every light, every moment carries its own quiet wonder.

Christmas in New York is not just a holiday, it’s a state of mind. Walking through beautifully decorated streets, breathing in the crisp winter air, and feeling yourself as part of this vast, glowing universe — everything feels elevated, cinematic, alive.

I admired the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, wandered along Fifth Avenue, and stopped to watch the magical Saks holiday light show.

I went ice skating in Central Park, attended Christmas Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, walked through tourist-studded Times Square, and visited the legendary Radio City Music Hall to watch the iconic Rockettes — one of the most stunning and timeless Christmas shows in the world. It was cold, but in the most beautiful, movie-like way.

And then there was snow.

Locals say it’s rare to see snowfall in New York during the holidays, and I felt incredibly lucky to witness it. Soft snowflakes falling over the city made everything feel even more magical, like the final perfect scene of a Christmas film.

Some moments felt especially personal: a quiet tea time at my favorite Baccarat hotel, a pause of elegance and calm in the middle of the city’s festive rhythm.

For my New Year’s Eve, I wanted something truly special. I welcomed 2026 at Casa Cipriani — an iconic private members club set inside a historic waterfront building in Lower Manhattan, known for its old-world elegance, impeccable service, and a crowd that feels effortlessly New York. Surrounded by locals, dancing all night, I felt like a real New Yorker for the night.

For this night, I chose a red dress from Attico. Everyone advised that the Year of the Horse should be welcomed in red — a color of power, movement, and luck. It felt bold, symbolic, and perfectly in sync with the energy of New York itself.

Ringing in the New Year in the city that never sleeps is a thrill unlike any other. The energy is electric. I wanted to shine brighter than the city lights — and step into the year with confidence, passion, and intention.