Oh the weather outside is frightful!

If the frigid temperatures, Christmas tree vendors on the sidewalk or red holiday cups at Starbucks didn’t clue you in already, it’s finally December! There’s always the standard holiday-related things to do around the city – the Rockefeller tree, ice skating at Wolman Rink in Central Park, hot chocolate at Serendipity3 – but there’s also plenty to do down here, right in the neighborhood:

The Seaport's Christmas tree

The Christmas tree at the Seaport has been up since the beginning of the month. The 50-foot tree serves as a sparkling backdrop for performances from the Big Apple Chorus, an a capella group singing blues, barbershop, jazz, gospel and Broadway tunes. Hopefully, they’ll throw in a “Frosty the Snowman” or “O Christmas Tree” too! Here’s their performance schedule.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating the opening of Seaport Ice, the new skating rink on Pier 17 that opens to the public Dec. 19. It will feature 8,000 square ft. of ice to glide on. There’s also beautiful views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, the USS Peking and other ships docked at the piers, and the city’s skyline to look at while taking turns around the rink. Admission is $5, and skate rentals are $7. It’s a great way to enjoy a holiday staple without having to deal with the hubbub of midtown.

Tree? Check. Skating? Check. How about hot chocolate? After an informal survey (read: my roommate and I have been drinking a lot of hot chocolate in the past month), we decided the best ho cho in the neighborhood is the creamy, rich offering ($2.75 for a small) at Financier Patisserie, which has three locations in the area. If you’re as avid a sweet tooth as me, their coffee éclairs ($3.25) make a great accompaniment.

Bonus tip: if caffeinated concoctions are more your style, head over to Jack’s Coffee on Front Street. Their cappuccinos (around $4) are the perfect mix of froth and espresso, and their cider ($3) is great for getting in the holiday spirit.

You don’t even need to leave the neighborhood to have a fabulous New York winter experience. But whatever you do to get in the mood for the holidays, have a good one!