New York City transforms into a winter wonderland every holiday season, and the NYC Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour offers a unique way to experience the magic. Led by knowledgeable actor guides, this 1.5-hour tour takes visitors on a behind-the-scenes exploration of the iconic filming locations featured in classic Christmas movies. From the dazzling window displays along Fifth Avenue to the twinkling lights of Rockefeller Center, the tour provides an insider’s perspective on the city’s captivating holiday charm. Whether you’re a movie buff or simply looking to get into the festive spirit, this immersive experience is sure to leave you enthralled and eager to discover more.
Key Points

- The 1.5-hour guided tour showcases the holiday lights and filming locations of iconic Christmas movies throughout Manhattan.
- Tour guides, who are professional actors, share entertaining tidbits and insider secrets about the movie magic in the city.
- The tour offers a chance to see filming locations from popular films like Elf, Home Alone 2, and Serendipity.
- The tour culminates at the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and includes photo opportunities at various movie sites.
- The tour provides limited wheelchair accessibility, and passengers should be able to get on and off the bus independently.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Tour Details
- Tour Highlights
- Accessibility
- Additional Information
- Meeting Point and End Point
- Tour Duration and Price
- Guided Bus Tour Experience
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Book This Tour as a Private Group?
- Is There a Discount for Senior Citizens or Students?
- Do the Buses Allow Food and Beverages on Board?
- What if I Need to Cancel or Reschedule My Tour?
- How Accurate Is the Holiday Lights and Movie Site Information?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in New York City
- More City Tours in New York City
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Tour Overview

The guided NYC Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour allows visitors to explore the spectacular holiday lights and filming locations of iconic Christmas movies throughout Manhattan.
The 1.5-hour tour is led by a New York City actor guide who shares entertaining tidbits and insider secrets about the movie magic that unfolded in the city.
Guests will see filming locations from popular films like Elf, Home Alone 2, and Serendipity, as well as marvel at the dazzling holiday window displays and Christmas trees that decorate the urban landscape.
From Central Park West to Fifth Avenue, the tour offers a festive and behind-the-scenes look at NYC during the most wonderful time of the year.
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Tour Details

The NYC Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour runs for 1.5 hours, with the meeting point outside a Starbucks at 63rd and Broadway and the end point at Bryant Park.
Tours depart at 6:30 pm, and the price per ticket is $116.
The bus tour provides a guided journey through Manhattan, allowing visitors to view spectacular holiday lights and window displays.
The air-conditioned or heated buses, most of which have bathrooms, can accommodate a maximum of 55 travelers.
Tour guides, who are professional actors, share entertaining tidbits and insider secrets about the filming locations featured in popular holiday movies.
While the buses have limited wheelchair accessibility, storage is available for foldable wheelchairs.
Tour Highlights
Tour highlights include viewing filming locations for popular holiday movies along Central Park West, the Upper West Side, Lincoln Center, Central Park, the Upper East Side, Midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center, and Fifth Avenue.
Passengers will see the filming spots for Elf and Mr. Popper’s Penguins on Central Park West, as well as holiday scenes from Scrooged and New Year’s Eve in the Upper West Side.
The tour also includes a photo opportunity with the Christmas tree at Lincoln Center and locations from Home Alone 2 and Elf in Central Park.
Other highlights are the restaurant from Serendipity in the Upper East Side and filming sites from Eloise at Christmastime and The Family Man in Midtown.
The tour culminates at the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Accessibility
Though the tour offers an immersive experience of New York City’s holiday movie magic, it has limited wheelchair accessibility.
Buses aren’t equipped with wheelchair lifts, but they can accommodate foldable wheelchairs. Passengers must be able to get on and off the bus independently. For those with mobility challenges, this may present some difficulties.
The tour does its best to provide an accessible experience, but individuals with specialized needs may find certain aspects of the tour challenging.
Ultimately, the tour is designed to be enjoyable for all participants, with a focus on showcasing the city’s iconic holiday movie locations and festive lights displays.
Additional Information

Passengers typically receive confirmation at the time of booking for the NYC Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour.
The tour can accommodate a maximum of 55 travelers per outing, with professional guides leading the experience on luxury coach buses.
These air-conditioned (or heated in winter) buses are often equipped with onboard restrooms, providing a comfortable journey through the city’s holiday movie landmarks and illuminated sights.
The tour features:
- Air-conditioned or heated coach buses for optimal comfort.
- On-board restrooms for passenger convenience.
- Professional, knowledgeable guides to enhance the experience.
- A maximum capacity of 55 travelers per tour.
Meeting Point and End Point
The tour begins at the intersection of 63rd Street and Broadway, outside a Starbucks location, and concludes at the renowned Bryant Park.
Travelers can easily locate the starting point, as it’s a popular meeting spot in the heart of Manhattan.
The tour then makes its way through the city, showcasing an array of iconic holiday movie filming locations and dazzling light displays, before ending at Bryant Park, where guests can explore the festive holiday market and Christmas tree.
This convenient pickup and drop-off arrangement allows participants to fully enjoy the holiday-themed sights and scenes without the hassle of navigating the city on their own.
Tour Duration and Price

The NYC Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour lasts for 1.5 hours and costs $116 per person.
Passengers can look forward to an engaging journey through Manhattan, where they’ll discover the filming locations of beloved holiday movies and marvel at the city’s dazzling seasonal light displays.
The tour includes:
- A guided bus ride to iconic locations like Central Park West, the Upper West Side, Lincoln Center, and Rockefeller Center.
- Opportunities to snap photos in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and other festive backdrops.
- Insider knowledge and entertaining tidbits from a New York City actor guide.
- Sights of spectacular holiday lights and window displays throughout the city.
Guided Bus Tour Experience

On this guided bus tour, passengers embark on a delightful journey through New York City’s most iconic holiday movie filming locations and festive light displays.
Led by a talented New York City actor, the tour offers entertaining tidbits and insider secrets that bring the on-screen magic to life.
Travelers will marvel at the spectacular holiday lights and window displays throughout Manhattan, from the Upper West Side to Midtown and beyond.
With photo opportunities at landmarks like the Lincoln Center Christmas tree and Rockefeller Center, this immersive experience allows visitors to step into the scenes of their favorite holiday films.
The tour culminates at Bryant Park, where passengers can continue exploring the City’s enchanting yuletide atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Book This Tour as a Private Group?
Yes, this tour can be booked as a private group. The company offers private tours for groups, with a maximum of 55 travelers. Advance reservations are required to secure a private group booking.
Is There a Discount for Senior Citizens or Students?
The tour company offers discounted prices for senior citizens and students. Travelers 65 and older receive a 10% discount, while students with valid IDs get 15% off the regular tour price. These discounts must be requested at the time of booking.
Do the Buses Allow Food and Beverages on Board?
The buses allow passengers to bring food and beverages on board. However, it’s requested that travelers consume food and drinks responsibly and avoid making a mess. Alcoholic beverages are generally discouraged during the tour.
What if I Need to Cancel or Reschedule My Tour?
If a customer needs to cancel or reschedule their tour, they’ll need to contact the tour operator directly. Most tour companies offer flexible policies, often allowing changes or cancellations with sufficient advance notice, though fees may apply.
How Accurate Is the Holiday Lights and Movie Site Information?
The holiday lights and movie site information is highly accurate, as the tour operator has extensive knowledge of notable NYC filming locations and annual holiday displays. Customers can expect an informative and visually stunning experience.
New York City Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour
“Bryan was the Best Guide! Loved seeing the store Displays We really appreciated his bonus facts about NYC”
Recap
The NYC Holiday Movie Sites and Lights Bus Tour provides a delightful and insightful experience, allowing visitors to explore the dazzling holiday lights and iconic Christmas movie filming locations throughout Manhattan.
Led by knowledgeable actor guides, the tour offers a behind-the-scenes peek into the movie magic that unfolded in the city, making it a must-do activity for movie enthusiasts and holiday lovers alike.
































