Holidays at The Met

Make The Met your New York holiday tradition! With iconic decorations celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah, free guided tours that bring our galleries to life, seasonal treats, holiday-themed Date Night celebrations, and so much more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this winter.

Members are invited to explore The Met's newest exhibitions during Weekend Member Mornings, before the Museum opens to the public. View all upcoming offerings for Members this season on our Member Hub.

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The Met Fifth Avenue

Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche

November 25, 2025–January 6, 2026
Gallery 305, Floor 1

Enjoy the glow of the season with our magnificently lit, twenty-foot blue spruce decorated with lifelike figures and floating silk-robed angels. At its base, discover a richly detailed eighteenth-century Neapolitan Nativity scene.

Eastern European Silver Menorah

November 25, 2025–January 8, 2026
Gallery 554, Floor 1

See one of the largest-known silver Hanukkah lamps, a breathtaking late 19th-century Menorah crafted in Lviv, Ukraine. Its intricate design—cast, chased, and engraved—once illuminating the Great Synagogue. On loan from The Moldovan Family Collection.

What's On View

From ancient wonders to modern masterpieces, there are endless discoveries to make at the Museum. Explore an Egyptian temple from 15 BC, see Van Gogh’s iconic self-portrait, and stroll through the largest collection of Vermeers in the world. Don’t miss our special exhibitions where you can step into the world of the gods in Divine Egypt, discover the boundary-breaking work of a visionary artist in Man Ray: When Objects Dream, and so much more.

Date Night

December 1–31, Friday and Saturday, 5–9 PM

Embrace the holiday spirit with festive Date Nights throughout the month of December. Warm up with seasonal cocktail specials, take a cozy gallery stroll, and listen to live music while the Museum stays open late.

Family Fun

Bring the whole family to the Museum! Spark curiosity with our family guides, get creative in the 81st Street Studio—our art and science discovery and play space—and join in on hands-on activities for all ages. Admission is free for kids 12 and under.

The Met Cloisters

Events and Performances

Discover winter-themed programs and performances for all ages. Take part in hands-on activities inspired by the Museum’s medieval history, from wreathmaking and storytelling to sketching in the galleries, and enjoy performances that bring the season to life, including an avant-garde string quartet celebrating medieval sounds and a vocal ensemble singing a cappella winter holiday songs. Visit our events page to learn more.

Medieval ‘Christmastide’ Decorations

December 4, 2025–January 6, 2026
Main Hall

Experience the magic of the season at The Met Cloisters. As you wander through its stone archways and intimate galleries, you’ll find entryways adorned with holly boughs—symbols of light and warmth—welcoming you in. Grand displays of fresh ivy, hand-polished lady apples, pinecones, and other natural elements, all locally sourced, evoke the spirit of a medieval winter celebration.

Holiday Shopping and Dining

Shop Art-Inspired Gifts at The Met Store

The Met Fifth Avenue & The Met Cloisters

Shop giftable designs inspired by artwork in The Met collection including apparel, jewelry, home decor, kids’ gifts, and more. Explore new and best-selling items at multiple store locations around the Museum, or online.

Grab a Bite

December 1, 2025–January 6, 2026
The Met Fifth Avenue

Delight in seasonal beverages and sweets at The American Wing Cafe, The Petrie Court Cafe, The Great Hall Balcony Cafe, and The Eatery.

Join and Support The Met

Give the Gift of Membership

Looking for the perfect gift for the art lover in your life? Give them a full year of unforgettable Member benefits including free admission, Member Preview Days, Weekend Member Mornings, and discounts on dining and The Met Store. Share the magic of The Met with your Gift Membership.

Support Our Mission

Your support this season sustains the Museum’s extraordinary level of programming, conservation, and research. The Met inspires millions of visitors every year, connecting them to creativity, knowledge, ideas, and one another. Be part of our mission and make a lasting impact by making a gift to the Fund for The Met today!