Christmas Carriage Rides in Central Park
Christmas carriage rides in Central Park and out to the holiday lights: routes, lengths, prices from $220 a carriage, the tree lighting date and how to dress (Oct 2026).
For Christmas, book a carriage ride that leaves the park: the holiday lights rides start at Central Park South and go out to the window displays on Fifth Avenue and the Rockefeller Center tree, 45 to 65 minutes, from $220 a carriage on Viator in October 2026. A ride that stays in the park in December is the ordinary loop with blankets; the lights are on the avenues. The Rockefeller Center tree is lit on Wednesday 2 December 2026 (Rockefeller Center).
The December rides
| Ride | Length | Route | From, per carriage | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Fancy Rides’ Christmas lights ride | 45 to 50 min | Out to the holiday lights and window displays | $220 | 4.7 (238) |
| NYC Horse Carriage Rides’ evening ride | about 55 to 65 min | Fifth Avenue, St Patrick’s, Rockefeller Center, Radio City, back through the park | $260 | 4.9 (36) |
| Central Park, Rockefeller and Times Square | 50 min | The park, Fifth Avenue, the Rockefeller area, Times Square | $295 | 4.8 (11) |
| Christmas in Central Park holiday ride | 40 min | Inside the park, with festive decorations | $375 | 4.6 (7) |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways for the prices and ratings.
Prices and ratings from Viator (read in October 2026) and GetYourGuide (checked October 2026); every price is for the whole carriage.
NYC Horse Carriage Rides’ evening ride names Tiffany & Co., St Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall on its route, and ends in the park. The Christmas lights ride on Viator takes up to four adults, or three adults and two children under 12, with a blanket. The NYCAdventures ride starts at 59th Street and Sixth Avenue and runs to Times Square.
Check December dates for the park and Rockefeller ride →
When to go
The tree arrives at Rockefeller Center on Saturday 7 November 2026 and is lit at the ceremony on Wednesday 2 December, on Rockefeller Center’s own page. Any evening from 2 December has the tree lit; book the lights rides ahead for December weekends.
Cold and weather
The rides go out in the cold with blankets, but the city takes the horses off the street when the air temperature is 18°F or below (NYC Administrative Code §17-330). Dress for an hour sitting still in the open: hats and gloves, and a layer under the blanket. A ride cancelled for the weather is moved or refunded on the listings we checked.
Which December ride
Central Park, Rockefeller and Times Square
The park first, then Fifth Avenue to the Rockefeller area and on to Times Square, with a licensed guide.
Check dates →Christmas Lights Ride
NYC Fancy Rides' private evening ride to the holiday lights and window displays.
See the lights ride →Evening Ride Through NYC
NYC Horse Carriage Rides down Fifth Avenue past St Patrick's and Rockefeller Center, ending in the park.
See the evening ride →Prices and ratings from GetYourGuide (checked October 2026) and Viator (read in October 2026); operators change prices, so treat them as a guide, not a quote.
For a ride that stays in the park, Central Park carriage ride prices compares the lengths, and are there still carriage rides in Central Park covers the 2028 phase-out.
Routes, lengths, capacity and prices from the Viator listings, read on 25 October 2026, and the GetYourGuide listings, read in US dollars on 29 October 2026. The tree’s arrival and lighting dates from Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree page, October 2026. The temperature limit from NYC Administrative Code §17-330.
Central Park, Rockefeller and Times Square by Carriage
NYCAdventures' 50-minute private carriage for up to four adults: through the park, down Fifth Avenue to the Rockefeller Center area and on to Times Square, from 59th Street and Sixth Avenue. On GetYourGuide in October 2026.
Check December Dates