The Met to Offer Holiday Experience Featuring Festive Displays, Dining, Shopping, and More

Image: Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche, 20 ft. blue spruce with a collection of 18th-century Neapolitan angels and cherubs among its boughs and groups of realistic crèche figures flanking the Nativity scene at its base, displayed in the Museum’s Medieval Sculpture Hall. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Loretta Hines Howard, 1964.
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Behind the tree: Reja from the Cathedral of Valladolid, Spanish, 1763. Wrought iron, partially gilt, and limestone. 52 x 42 ft. (15.86 x 12.81 m). Gift of The William Randolph Hearst Foundation, 1956.

With highlights including the annual Christmas tree and menorah displays, new exhibitions, and performances for families, The Met’s holiday program provides a one-stop destination to ring in the season.

This holiday season, visitors to The Met are invited to marvel at the classic Christmas tree and menorah displays as well as enjoy seasonal food offerings, shopping opportunities, holiday concerts, educational programs, and more.

Christmas Tree Display

The Met’s Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche—a beloved holiday tradition—is on view in the Medieval Sculpture Hall (Gallery 305) now, through January 6, 2026. The towering 20-foot blue spruce is adorned with a host of cherubs and angels. More than 70 additional figures at the base represent the three elements of Nativity scenes that were traditional to 18th-century Naples: adoring shepherds and their flocks, the procession of the three Magi, and spirited peasants and townspeople. Enhancing the display are nearly 50 charming animals and background elements—such as the ruins of a Roman temple, several quaint houses, and a typical Italian fountain—that create a dramatic setting for the Nativity.

Eastern European Silver Menorah

In honor of Hanukkah, a magnificent silver menorah made in 1866–72 is on view in The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Galleries (Floor 1, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, Gallery 556) now, through January 6, 2026. Created for the Great Synagogue in Lviv (present-day Ukraine), the ceremonial lamp—which is cast, chased, and engraved with elaborate motifs—is one of the largest silver Hanukkah lamps known. The menorah is on loan from The Moldovan Family Collection.

The eight-branched Hanukkah menorah commemorates an important moment in Jewish history: the triumphant Maccabean revolt against the oppressing Seleucid Empire and the reconsecration of the Jewish Holy Temple in 165 BC. The lamp’s eight branches refer to the miracle in which the last vessel of oil, which should have lasted only one day, kept the temple menorah lit for eight days to allow for the Temple’s reconsecration.

Medieval “Christmastide” Decorations at The Met Cloisters

From December 12, 2025, through January 7, 2026, a unique tradition at The Met Cloisters pays tribute to the medieval Christmas celebration. Visitors enter under a great arch of holly boughs bright with red fruits, which symbolize light, warmth, and welcome. Holly is the plant that is most associated with the medieval feast.

Inside, grand arches will be decked with fresh ivy locally sourced in Fort Tryon Park. The horticulturists and garden volunteers at The Met Cloisters dress each of the ivy arches with hand-polished New York lady apples, hazelnuts, rosehips, and pinecones.

Elsewhere throughout the halls, cloisters, galleries, and arcades, there will be displays of verdant topiaries, garlands, and wreaths. Candelabras will be decorated with ivy and adorned with fresh roses. The Cuxa Cloister will be filled with potted fragrant and flowering plants such as citrus, rosemary, and cyclamen. Each plant is a symbol and celebration of the season.

Exhibitions

Visitors to The Met Fifth Avenue will find a suite of special exhibitions to explore, including Divine Egypt (through January 19), a landmark exhibition examining the imagery associated with the most important deities in ancient Egypt’s complex and expansive constellation of gods; Man Ray: When Objects Dream (through February 1), the first major exhibition to examine the radical experimentation of American artist Man Ray (1890–1976) through one of his most significant bodies of work, the rayograph; and Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson (though February 8), exploring the work of American artist John Wilson (1922–2015), who made powerful and poetic works that reflected his life as a Black American artist and his ongoing quest for racial, social, and economic justice. Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck (December 5, 2025–April 5, 2026) is the first major exhibition in the United States dedicated to the work of Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946), beloved in Nordic countries for her highly original style, and View Finding: Selections from The Walther Collection (through May 3) showcases a major gift of photographs from the world-renowned Walther Collection. Casa Susanna (through January 25) brings together photographs and publications created by and for a community of cross-dressers who met regularly in New York City and the Catskill Mountains throughout the 1960s; Fanmania (December 11, 2025–May 12, 2026) investigates why avant-garde artists incorporated fans into their work and sheds light on themes of gender, courtship, consumerism, and appropriation; Emily Sargent: Portrait of a Family (through March 8) features watercolors by Emily Sargent (1857–1936), situating her work within the creative, complex world of the Sargent family; and The Magical City: George Morrison’s New York explores how a love of New York inspired and shaped the future aesthetic trajectory of Abstract Expressionist George Morrison (1919–2000).

Additional exhibitions and installations on view at The Met Fifth Avenue during the holiday season include the newly reimagined Michael C. Rockefeller Wing with galleries dedicated to the arts of Africa, the ancient Americas, and Oceania; The American Wing at 100 (ongoing); and The Genesis Facade Commission: Jeffrey Gibson, The Animal That Therefore I Am (through June 9). For the full list of the season’s exhibitions, please refer to The Met’s website.

MetLiveArts Performance Series

Celebrate the holidays at The Met on December 12 with ETHEL: SEASONS NOW, an evening of seasonal string quartets by four trailblazing composers paired with signature arrangements of Vivaldi’s iconic The Four Seasons.

On December 14 at The Met Cloisters, JACK Quartet: Modern/Medieval will feature a musical program of new and old works inspired by the most daring musical experiments of the Middle Ages.

Three-time Grammy-nominee Skylark Vocal Ensemble returns to The Met Cloisters on December 15 with Illuminations, an intimate concert featuring the four-time Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble Skylark. Feel the magical warmth of a candlelit winter’s night with a journey through 800 years of music, from medieval chant to modern masterpieces. (Note: This event is waitlist only.)

After two sold-out Renaissance music marathons, four-time Grammy nominee The Clarion Choir returns to The Met Cloisters on December 20 with a program for the season. Take a deep breath and bask in the splendor of music from Renaissance motets to recent settings of favorite carols, presented by some of New York City’s finest vocalists. (Note: This event is waitlist only.)

For Families

The Met will host family programs and tours throughout the holiday season. The Art Trek program invites families with children ages 7 through 11 to discover favorite works of art through close looking together (December 6 and 20). Start with Art, for families with children ages 3 to 6, incorporates stories, sketching, and other activities in the Museum’s galleries (December 6 and 20). Family Afternoon invites families with children of all ages and abilities to drop in for free fun art-making activities (December 14).

There will be a School Break Family Afternoon on December 29 and 30.

At The Met Cloisters, a slate of holiday programming is scheduled, including a medieval winter wreath workshop in which participants can learn about the symbolic meanings of plants and create a festive wreath alongside Met Cloisters horticultural staff; the workshop will be offered twice: at a special after-hours event on December 9, and the afternoon of December 10 (advance pre-registration is required for both). Additional holiday programs at The Met Cloisters during the season include a caroling performance by The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School’s Vocal Ensemble (December 11), and daily tours in which visitors learn how plants were used in winter celebrations such as medieval Christmastide and how Hannukah was celebrated in the Middle Ages (December 4–January 6). The Met Cloisters weekly Storytime will be holiday themed during the month of December. For a full schedule of events, please refer to The Met’s website.

Seasonal Dining

From December 2 to January 6, visitors can delight in festive beverages and sweets at the American Wing Cafe, the Petrie Court Cafe, The Great Hall Balcony Cafe, and The Eatery. Dual-level Members and above can enjoy relaxed table service dining with seasonal menus and specialty drinks at the Balcony Lounge. Breakfast is available on Saturdays and Sundays during Weekend Member Mornings. More dining information is available on The Met’s website.

Date Night

The Museum’s popular Date Night at The Met program continues throughout the winter season, every Friday and Saturday night, 5 to 9 p.m. Visitors are invited to escape the cold and enjoy art, Gallery Chats, and live performances and settle in with a seasonal beverage including hot cocoa and festive drinks in The American Wing Cafe and the Petrie Court Cafe. Met Members at the Dual level and above are welcome to enjoy relaxed table service dining with a seasonal menus and specialty drinks at the Balcony Lounge. Members at the Dual and Family levels enjoy walk-in access; Enthusiast level and above, call 212-650-2910 for reservations.

Giving the Gift of The Met

The Met Store has a variety of memorable, art-inspired gifts, all available to browse in a new digital holiday catalogue. From a dazzling array of jewelry, holiday ornaments, and fun stocking stuffers to the latest Met publications, unique home decor, and educational toys and games, The Met Store has something for art lovers of all tastes and ages. Shop at The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Cloisters, or online at store.metmuseum.org to discover what’s new this holiday season.

Annual Membership to The Met is also available for gifting, providing recipients the opportunity to experience 5,000 years of art year-round. Membership benefits include free admission for Members and their guest(s) on every visit, exclusive early exhibition-viewing hours, special holiday discounts at The Met Store, discounts on dining and parking, and other privileges. More information about Membership packages and gifting options are on The Met’s website.

Visiting The Met

The Met Fifth Avenue is open six days a week, Thursday through Tuesday. Hours on Friday and Saturday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Met Cloisters is open Thursday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both locations will be closed on December 25 and January 1. Admission for New York State residents as well as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut students is pay what you wish.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related

Discover more from City Life Org

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.