It’s undeniable that the holiday season is a magical time in Lower Manhattan. But the history of Christmas in New York hasn’t always been so jolly — in the city’s early days, the holiday was marked by conflicts over faith. Now, you can learn more about NYC’s holiday history, warts and all, on a new walking tour in Lower Manhattan.
On weekends through December 28, Purefinder New York is offering the Dark Christmas Tour, a 1.5-hour journey exploring how “early faith, immigrant tradition and social unrest shaped the way New York came to understand and celebrate Christmas, from sacred rite to civic holiday.” The tour kicks off by the steps of the National Museum of the American Indian at 1 Bowling Green and ends at City Hall Park, with stops in the neighborhood along the way.
Tours start at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and run $40-a-pop; you can book your spot here.
