The The holiday season is in full swing, and after a busy year, many folks are finally enjoying some well-deserved time off. If you’re looking to make the most of your free time and venture out, we’ve gathered a selection of fun, Black-centric activities to do in New York City this holiday season.
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From seeking out great soul food restaurants and classic jazz clubs to exploring groundbreaking museum exhibitions and attending festive cultural events, we’ve compiled options that offer something enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or are a longtime resident looking for a new and inspiring experience. Celebrate the season by supporting Black-owned businesses across the five boroughs, delving into rich cultural history, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere that Black communities bring to the Big Apple.
Enjoy Some Soul Food At Sylvia’s
If you’re in Harlem, then you have to stop by Sylvia’s. Founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods, the restaurant has been serving authentic Southern soul food in Harlem for more than 60 years. To this day, it is raved about by New Yorkers and visitors alike.
Visit Amsterdam News
Make sure to stop by the New York Amsterdam News, one of the nation’s longest-running Black newspaper. Its landmark Harlem building is currently undergoing a major renovation. The plan is to transform the newsroom into a NYC center, featuring a museum, a community lounge with a café, and public event spaces. The newsroom will relocate to the upper floors. The museum is projected to open in 2027.
Gladys Books & Wine
Are you a bookworm and a wine lover? Then Gladys Books & Wine in Brooklyn is the perfect spot for you. This independent, Black-owned bookstore is filled with a diverse range of books to choose from. It also features a wine bar where you can relax and unwind. You can find the shop at 306 Malcom X Boulevard in Brooklyn.
‘Love The Way You Live’ by Charlie Lewis Jr.
And if you do head to a bookstore, we’ve got a book for you. “No Apologies. Love The Way You Live, At Any Age” by Charlie Lewis Jr., is a fantastic book about living your life as unapologetic as possible. It’s the perfect boost of inspiration everyone needs for the upcoming New Year.
‘The World Is Waiting For You’ by Edwina Findley Dickerson
Another book to help you get your 2026 off to a great start is Edwina Findley Dickerson’s “The World Is Waiting For You.” It’ll get you into the manifesting spirit!
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
If you are all about Black history, visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture on Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem. The Schomburg Center is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and it has a range of fascinating exhibitions to celebrate. Go see them soon before their 100th anniversary exhibitions end!
Listen to Live Jazz at The Williamsburg Music Center
Every Friday and Saturday night, live jazz spills out the doors of the Black-owned Williamsburg Music Center in Brooklyn. It is the perfect spot for some live entertainment, and you can also support local talent. You can get tickets here. The building is at 367 Bedford Ave, where you’ll be sure to hear the music before you enter.
Brownstone Jazz
For more live jazz, head to Brownstone Jazz in Brooklyn and let yourself be swept away by the insane talent in the venue. You can purchase tickets here. The Brownstone Jazz venue is on 107 Macon St, Brooklyn.
Abyssinian Church
Visit one of New York’s most famous churches, Abyssinian Church in Harlem, and take in the impressive structure of it before heading in for a great Sunday service.
Gay Harlem Renaissance Exhibit
From now until March 2026, the New-York Historical Society is running an exhibit about Black LGBTQ+ life during the 1920s and 30s. As you enter the museum, you will immediately be greeted with a poster of the iconic Black lesbian blues singer, Gladys Bentley. Secure your tickets here.
Harlem Heritage Tours
To immerse yourself in the Harlem and the Harlem Renaissance, consider an expertly guided walking tour with Harlem Heritage Tours. Their guides, born and raised in the neighborhood, offer an exceptionally authentic, insider’s look at the explosion of Black arts, literature, and intellectual thought that occurred here. This personal connection provides a richer understanding of the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped the movement and the modern Black identity. Find schedules at the Harlem Heritage Tour site.
Soaking Up Black History at Riverside Church
Enter the stunning and gothic Riverside Church, and you’ll be standing in the very spot that Black leaders such as Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela delivered powerful speeches.
Tatiana Restaurant
Want to try your luck? Try and secure a seat at one of the hottest restaurants in New York City. Tatiana is an Afro-Caribbean restaurant in the Lincoln Center Plaza on the Upper West Side. Founded by Root 100 honoree Chef Kwame Onwuachi, the restaurant is a foodie heaven! You can save your seat here.
FlameKeepers Hat Club
If you want some new headgear, check out FlameKeepers Hat Club in Harlem. You’ll definitely leave with a new accessory or two that you love!
Go Shopping For A New Purse at Telfar
Looking for ways to spruce up your purse collection? Then you have to take a look at the Telfar store. It is bags galore in there!
Catch A Broadway Show
If you’re in the concrete jungle, then why not catch Alicia Keys’ musical “Hell’s Kitchen” on Broadway? By the end of the show, you’ll feel inspired and ready to chase your dreams, and you might even get to see Alicia Keys if you’re really lucky. Purchase your tickets here.
Visit Biggie’s Childhood Home
Take a tour around Biggie’s neighborhood in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and sit on the stoop of his childhood home. In the area, you will notice multiple memorials commemorating the rapper, and even the street sign Christopher ‘Notorious B.I.G.’ Wallace on St. James Place.
Get The Full Biggie Experience
If you prefer a more curated look into The Notorious B.I.G.’s life, check out The Biggie Experience. Launched by his daughter T’yanna Wallace, the museum showcases a replica of his bedroom and items that he owned. Secure your tour slot here.
Legacy Record Store
Looking for some new vinyl records? Then get in your sleigh and head to Legacy in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Legacy is a Black-owned record store overflowing with musical gems and records from all your favorite Black icons.
Take a Dance Class at Alvin Ailey
Get some tickets and catch a mesmerizing show at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Midtown Manhattan. The dancers will be showing off their talent on stage from December until January 4 at the New York City Center. Get your tickets here. Or if you want to gain some new dancing skills, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater also offers classes in West African dance, hip hop, ballet, and even a pilates class.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
If you don’t want to make the trek to Midtown Manhattan, the Dance Theatre of Harlem also offers multiple dance classes in case you want to start the new year off with some new moves to add to your dancing repertoire. Check the classes here.
Emmanuel Baptist Church
For some Christmas Gospel, go to the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn. You’ll be in awe of its gorgeous interior!
Get Some Knick Knacks At Peace and Riot
Peace and Riot is a Black-owned home decor shop filled with gorgeous items to decorate your homes and pick up cute journals, accessories and apparel.
Red Rooster
Warm yourself up with a good meal at Red Rooster in Harlem. Not only is the food amazing, but the vibes are high and the music, live or not is kicking! If you see Marcus, the owner, tell him we miss him.
Visit Studio Museum in Harlem
After a seven-year closure, the Studio Museum in Harlem has reopened its doors! Led by its Chief Curator and Root 100 honoree, Thelma Golden, the museum is packed with exhibitions, displaying art by artists of African descent. Purchase tickets here.
Cornerstone Baptist Church
Another church worthy of your attention is Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn. The architecture alone is beautiful.
Long Gallery In Harlem
Just steps away from the Studio Museum is Long Gallery, a Black-owned art gallery by Lewis Paul Long. Fill your day with even more amazing art by taking a look at the current exhibition “The Audacity of Abstraction” by artist Barry Charles Johnson. Check here for opening times.
Here’s a video from the Long Gallery TikTok page showing just how close it is to the Studio Museum. You can spend your whole day admiring great art in the same neighborhood.
Visit Louis Armstrong’s Home
If you are in Corona, Queens, you should visit the home of the iconic jazz musician, Louis Armstrong. His wife, Lucille Wilson, originally bought the house in 1943. Louis Armstrong lived there until he passed away in 1971. After Wilson passed in 1983, the home was turned into a museum, per her wishes, according to the Louis Armstrong House Museum. And if you’re a fan of glamorous mid-century modern interior furniture, then you’ll definitely be in the right place. You can purchase tickets here.
Christian Cultural Center
Christian Cultural Center (CCC), known for its large congregation and celebrity members, is a sure bet for powerful, heartfelt sermons and uplifting music this holiday season.
Grab A Bite Amy Ruth’s
Of course, we can’t let you go without leaving with another great food recommendation. For more delicious soul food, zip down to Harlem or downtown Manhattan to get yourself some soul food at one of New York’s iconic dining spots, Amy Ruth’s.
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