The Strange & Unusual Guide to Christmas in NYC
15 spooky, gothic, and unconventional holiday experiences for those of us who celebrate Halloween year-round.
Christmas in NYC is one of my favorite times of the year. But as a born-and-raised New Yorker who celebrates Halloween year-round, I tend to gravitate toward some of the more unconventional holiday festivities.
For some of us, Halloween is every day. Spooky ooky is a lifestyle. It’s not a phase mom!
And just because the pumpkins have been replaced with Christmas trees doesn’t mean our interests suddenly change. I mean in my household, come October we have a Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween themed tree then we transition to the Christmas part of the movie for the holidays.
New York during the holidays is beautiful. The decorations, the Christmas markets, the little neighborhood traditions. There’s a reason people travel from all over the world to experience it. And I love a traditional Christmas as much as the next person. But if you want to mix in a few experiences that are a little more unconventional, I’ve got you.
We’re talking Krampus markets, Victorian ghost stories, burlesque, Gothic churches, murder mysteries, and even a horror bookstore where I could happily lose an entire afternoon.
I’ve rounded up 15 unusual things to do in NYC this holiday season, complete with dates, locations, and ticket links so you can actually make some plans.
A few of these are happening very soon, so let’s start there.
Part I: The Spooky Season Never Ends
Krampus, horror, and holiday entertainment for grown-ups.
1. The Library After Hours: Friday the 13th Edition
When: Friday, November 13, 2026 | 7:30–10 PM
Where: New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Manhattan
Admission: Pay what you wish; advance tickets currently sold out, with limited door availability possible
Age: 21+
The fact that we have a Friday the 13th in November feels particularly appropriate. The New York Public Library is opening its doors after hours for an evening dedicated to horror, superstition, and mystery.
And not just any library. We’re talking about that beautiful Beaux-Arts building on Fifth Avenue, with its enormous reading rooms and incredible architecture.
The program includes scary storytelling, classic horror films, a rare collection exploring the history of witches, and even a horror book tasting with the librarians behind NYPL’s Best New Horror of 2026 list. There’s also music, games, and opportunities to explore parts of the library’s collections.
I’d make this one a priority if you can get in, because it’s a one-night-only event.
2. Morbid Anatomy's Krampus Market
When: Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 11 AM–6 PM
Where: Tom Kane Theater, Industry City, Brooklyn
Admission: $5 general admission; $20 early access
If you’ve never heard of Krampus, allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite pieces of European Christmas folklore. While Saint Nicholas rewards the well-behaved children, Krampus is the horned, rather terrifying figure associated with punishing the naughty ones.
Morbid Anatomy is bringing its Krampus Market back to Industry City. There will be more than twenty vendors selling antiques, taxidermy, unusual jewelry, artisanal fashion, Gothic home decor, original artwork, vintage books, and plenty of other peculiar treasures.
You can also explore a special display of Krampus-related books from the Morbid Anatomy collection.
If you’re shopping for someone whose taste leans a little darker, or you’re looking for something beautiful and unusual for yourself, I’d put this on your calendar. Plus you’ll be discovering independent artists, unusual objects, and sometimes a little history along the way.
3. Nutcracker Rouge by Company XIV
When: November 12, 2026–January 30, 2027
Where: Théâtre XIV, Brooklyn
Admission: Ticket prices vary by performance
Best for: Date night, burlesque lovers, and anyone who appreciates theatrical excess!
I’ve been to a lot of burlesque shows, and this one is special. Company XIV’s Nutcracker Rougetakes the familiar holiday ballet and turns it into a lavish, sensual, wonderfully excessive theatrical production.
Think incredibly talented circus artists, burlesque performers, elaborate costumes, incredible vocals, and enough baroque decadence to make Marie Antoinette feel under-dressed.
What I love about Company XIV is how much attention goes into the entire production. It’s not just about the performers being gorgeous, although they certainly are. It’s the athleticism, the artistry, the costumes, and the visual storytelling.
If you appreciate fashion, performance art, burlesque, and beautifully excessive production design, this is one I’d seriously consider.
Also…..leave the kids at home for this one.
4. Santa's Secret
When: November 13–December 30, 2026
Where: 62 Thomas Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
Admission: Starting at $75
Age: 18+; 21+ to drink
Speaking of holiday entertainment for adults, there’s also Santa’s Secret.
This immersive holiday experience combines themed installations, cocktails, and a festive variety show featuring burlesque and live entertainment. And yes, plenty of eye candy. 👀
It’s a different interpretation of Christmas entertainment, with a little more glamour and a lot less wholesomeness.
I love a holiday experience where adults can dress up, grab a cocktail, enjoy some theatrical entertainment, and have a proper night out.
A little sin amongst all that holiday cheer.
YOU'RE MY KIND OF WEIRD.
If you see the beauty in the strange and unusual, you’re in good company.
Expect fashion, beauty, art, culture, analog obsessions, and the occasional unnecessary deep dive.
Part II: A Very Gothic Christmas
Victorian ghost stories, Gothic architecture, candlelight, and the darker traditions of the holidays.
Did you know that telling ghost stories used to be a Christmas tradition?
We kept the Christmas trees and decorations, but somehow the ghost stories didn’t make the cut.
The Victorian era had a particular fascination with ghosts, mourning, the supernatural, and the afterlife. Christmas was a popular time for telling frightening stories around the fire, long before we decided Halloween should have a monopoly on the macabre.
And thankfully, there are still a few ways to explore that side of the holidays in New York.
5. Ghosts of Christmas Past by Boroughs of the Dead
When: Select dates in November and December 2026
Where: East Village, Manhattan
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Admission: $40 adults
I appreciate organizations like Boroughs of the Dead because they explore New York’s stranger history through research, folklore, and storytelling.
Their Ghosts of Christmas Past walking tour takes you through the East Village while exploring the darker origins of familiar holiday traditions. We’re talking Victorian ghost stories, witches, werewolves, Krampus, Frau Perchta, and the sometimes unsettling folklore that helped shape Christmas celebrations.
You’ll also learn about the influence of New York’s immigrant communities on the holiday traditions we recognize today.
One thing to note: this is an outdoor walking tour, so dress accordingly. New York in December can be cold af.
6. A Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience
When: December 4–5, 2026, according to the current listing
Where: Brooklyn
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Best for: A holiday date night or a night out with friends
How about A Christmas Carol with a Victorian twist and four cocktails?
This immersive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic brings Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and the three spirits of Christmas to life through theatrical storytelling. Each part of the experience is paired with a holiday-themed cocktail.
To keep it a buck, if three ghosts are going to confront me about my life choices, the least they can do is offer me a drink or two. 🍹
I love that we’ve collectively decided A Christmas Carol is a heartwarming holiday classic when the entire plot revolves around a man being terrorized by ghosts until he gets his shit together.
7. Candlelight: Christmas Classics at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church
When: December 17–19, 2026
Where: St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn Heights
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Admission: Starting around $43
Not everything on this list involves the supernatural. Sometimes the setting alone is enough to get my attention. And St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture in Brooklyn.
I love how New York has so many beautiful historic spaces, and I love when they’re used for experiences like this. St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church is already worth visiting for its Gothic Revival architecture, but getting to listen to live classical music there by candlelight feels like a lovely way to spend an evening.
8. Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings
When: Check the event page for upcoming dates
Where: New York City; venue details depend on the scheduled performance
Best for: Tolkien fans and lovers of film scores
🚨 Tickets to go on public sale on Thursday, November 12 at 10 AM! 🚨
Event Details and Ticket Updates
And if Christmas classics aren’t quite your thing, I have another Candlelight concert for my fellow fantasy nerds.
The Lord of the Rings soundtrack.
If you grew up watching The Lord of the Rings, you know how much of those films lives in the music. There are certain pieces you hear, and you’re immediately transported back to Middle-earth. I’d love to experience that performed live by a string quartet.
Just make sure you check the event page for confirmed NYC dates before adding this one to your plans.
9. LUMINISCENCE: Christmas at St. Patrick's Cathedral
When: Christmas edition runs November 18, 2026–January 2, 2027
Where: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Midtown Manhattan
Admission: Options starting around $44; live-music performances cost more
Here’s another one New York’s most beautiful churches.
LUMINISCENCE transforms St. Patrick’s Cathedral into an immersive art and music experience using large-scale projections, sound, and the building’s incredible Gothic Revival architecture.
The projections aren’t just being displayed on a screen, they’re mapped onto the cathedral itself, so you’re seeing the details of the architecture illuminated in ways you wouldn’t normally experience.
I’ve always thought St. Patrick’s was one of the most beautiful buildings in Midtown. And considering how often I’m complaining about the crowds in that neighborhood, that’s saying something.
10. Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
When: Through November 29, 2026, based on the published seasonal schedule
Where: Yorktown Heights, Westchester County
Important: This is outside NYC, so plan for travel
Here’s another one for my fellow fantasy nerds!
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience invites visitors to explore an illuminated woodland trail inspired by the more mysterious side of the Wizarding World. Along the way, you’ll encounter familiar magical creatures, interactive installations, and familiar elements from our favorite books.
You’ll have to make a little trip to Westchester for this one, and it’s only around until November 29th, so plan accordingly!
Part III: For the Strange & Unusual
Horror literature, the occult, murder mysteries, and a little magic.
If your interests don’t suddenly become less morbid because someone put up a Christmas tree, this section is for you.
These aren’t necessarily traditional holiday events, but I think they’re excellent alternatives for anyone who would rather spend an evening exploring something peculiar than navigating another packed Christmas market.
11. The Twisted Spine: Horror Bookstore & Café
Where: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
When: Ongoing; check the events calendar for upcoming programs
Best for: Book lovers, horror fans, writers, and anyone with a dark little literary obsession
Official Website | Upcoming Events
The Twisted Spine is NYC’s first bookstore and café dedicated to horror and dark literature.
I’m surprised this didn’t exist already.
Beyond browsing books and grabbing a coffee, The Twisted Spine hosts events that include horror-themed movie nights, comedy, literary gatherings, and writing workshops. There’s a workshop in November where you can learn how to write your own horror story.
Whether you’re an avid horror reader, a writer, or someone who appreciates dark fiction, this would be the place to discover something new and meet people who share your interests.
12. Spiritualists of Green-Wood Cemetery
When: Select dates in November
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn
Duration: Approximately two hours
If you’re interested in Victorian history, spiritualism, and the nineteenth-century fascination with communicating with the dead, this one is particularly interesting.
Another tour from Boroughs of the Dead, Spiritualists of Green-Wood Cemetery explores the lives of mediums, clairvoyants, mentalists, and other figures associated with the Spiritualist movement.
The tour visits historic graves and monuments while examining the cultural obsession with death, mourning, and the possibility of life after death.
What makes this especially compelling is how Spiritualism intersected with women’s history and broader social movements. It’s a fascinating period in history. There was so much happening around the relationship between science, religion, technology, and people’s attempts to understand things they couldn’t explain.
And Green-Wood Cemetery itself is an interesting place to explore.
So if you enjoy history that goes beyond the usual textbook material, I think you’ll appreciate this one.
13. Speakeasy, Die Softly: Immersive Murder Mystery
When: Select dates during the holiday season
Where: Carmine’s, Manhattan
Admission: Premium experience; check current ticket pricing
Best for: Group outings, birthdays, and date nights
If you’re looking for something to do with friends, I have firsthand experience with this one. I did an immersive murder mystery for a birthday, and we had so much fun!
Speakeasy, Die Softly transports guests to a 1920s-inspired speakeasy setting, complete with live entertainment, dinner, and a murder mystery unfolding around you. You’re not just sitting there watching a performance. You’re part of the experience, following clues and trying to work out who committed the crime.
It’s also an excuse to dress up with friends and play an IRL game of clue.
14. Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
When: Select dates; check the ticket calendar
Where: Babylon, Long Island
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Age: 21+
If you prefer your mysteries with a little literary flair, there’s also the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy.
Four of Poe’s famous works are brought to life through theatrical performances, each paired with a themed cocktail. The featured stories include The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Raven, and The Masque of the Red Death.
Poe’s work is full of obsession, grief, guilt, madness, and the supernatural. There’s certainly no shortage of material to work with.
One detail to keep in mind: this particular event is in Babylon, Long Island, rather than NYC proper. So consider it a little excursion. If you’re a NYer you know you can take the LIRR.
15. The Off-Broadway Magic Show: Holiday Series
When: Select holiday performances
Where: The Cutting Room, Manhattan
Best for: Date nights and small groups
And finally, something for those of us who have always been fascinated by magic and illusion.
The Off-Broadway Magic Show’s Holiday Series at The Cutting Room features magicians and mentalists performing close-up magic and stage illusions. You can make an entire evening out of it with dinner, drinks, and a show.
It isn’t particularly spooky, but I’ve always thought magic, mystery, and the supernatural occupy similar corners of our imagination.
A Few Things to Know Before Making Plans
Before you start sending links to the group chat, a few things worth remembering.
Book the time-sensitive events first. The Library After Hours party and the Krampus Market are both happening in mid-November, and the Forbidden Forest experience has a limited run. Those should be your first priorities.
Double-check locations. Not everything here is in Manhattan. A few experiences are in Brooklyn, and two involve traveling outside NYC. Don’t find yourself realizing your date night is actually an hour or more away. But if you’re a native NYer, this isn’t anything new to you.
Look at the age restrictions. Several of the cabaret, cocktail, and nightlife experiences are specifically for adults.
Wear comfortable shoes for the walking tours. I love me a Demonia as much as the next person, but cold weather and cobblestones are not forgiving.
Confirm dates and availability before heading out. Holiday schedules can change, and some events only run on selected nights.
And if you’re visiting New York for the first time, don’t feel like you have to cram every iconic Christmas attraction into your trip. Leave yourself room to explore the neighborhoods, smaller venues, and unusual places that make this city so interesting.
Some of my favorite New York experiences have been the ones that weren’t part of the usual tourist itinerary. If you want some of my fave recs for hidden gems. Let me know in the comments.
Until Next Time, My Fellow Weirdos
I love New York during the holidays. The architecture, the decorations, the little neighborhood traditions, and how you can find almost any kind of experience if you’re willing to look for it.
There’s something for everyone, whether you prefer a traditional Christmas or something a little more unconventional. Personally, I love both.
I’m Ecuadorian. My Thanksgiving turkey comes with a side of ayacas, rice, and beans. That’s just how we do things in my family.
And that one of many dope things about growing up in New York. It’s a beautiful remix of so many different cultures, traditions, interests, and personalities. You can spend one evening admiring Christmas lights and the next listening to Victorian ghost stories. Neither feels out of place here.
So whether you’re visiting for the holidays or you’ve lived here your entire life, I hope this little guide inspires you to explore something you haven’t experienced before.
And if you discover something worth sharing, please tell me. I’m always adding to my list.
Send this guide to your favorite weirdos and make some plans.
Until next time,
Kelita
