Even if you’re feeling far from home this holiday season, you can find something in New York City to keep the homesickness at bay. The city celebrates the holiday season in a variety of festive and entertaining ways, so allow yourself to take in and spread the holiday spirit even if you are not at home with your family.

Go Ice Skating in Bryant Park

Located a few blocks away from Times Square is a large ice skating rink with free admission. If you don’t own ice skates, the cost is only $15 for a rental pair, making it the ideal night out or a romantic date. The Winter Village at Bryant Park also offers snacks and shopping kiosks to visit before or after skating.

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Bundle up, head to Midtown and choose a spot to watch celebrities, music performers and colossal balloons pass by for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. You can also see a sneak preview of the balloons while they are being inflated at the American Museum of Natural History the day before Thanksgiving.

Hit the sales for holiday shopping

There are always great deals after Thanksgiving, so if you want to snatch up inexpensive retail items, then head up to Penn Station and take a train to Woodbury Commons. But if you’re brave enough to withstand crowds and are looking for a good deal on the latest technology, camp out at your local electronics store on Black Friday. Be sure to bring a friend, blankets, chairs and something to pass the time.

Watch the ‘Radio City Christmas Spectacular,’ starring the Rockettes

The must-see show contains music and dance numbers to put you in the holiday spirit. Tickets can be expensive, so take advantage of your student discount through NYU’s Ticket Central. You can purchase cheaper tickets on a convenient date when the venue might not be as crowded.

— Adelina Zhang