• National Museum of the American Indian - Stand on the site where New York’s first St. Nicholas church once stood within Fort Amsterdam. Explore how Dutch settlers intertwined faith, fear, and commerce on the colonial waterfront, and how their patron saint began his transformation into Santa Claus.
• Trinity Church - Visit one of New York’s oldest churches to see how faith, power, and creativity helped transform a colonial outpost into the birthplace of America’s Christmas traditions.
• New York City - Stand at Zuccotti Park, where New York’s festive season once descended into chaos. Discover how lively celebrations, social unrest, and a boisterous New Year’s crowd contributed to the formation of the city’s first professional police force.
• John Street United Methodist Church - A church founded in the spirit of Christmas yet overshadowed by division. Here, the ideals of charity and equality confronted the challenging realities of New York’s expanding city.
• New York City - In the narrow streets of the Financial District, where America’s first renowned storyteller was born, trace how old-world tales and winter reflections shaped the season’s most enduring spirit.
• New York City - From a childhood in the city’s toughest streets emerged the artist who gave Santa his face. Learn how satire, politics, and imagination turned a saint into a symbol.
• City Hall Park - Where holiday cheer once turned violent, uncover the story of a city divided by faith, fear, and festivity — and how one Christmas night forever changed New York’s streets.

• Admission fees

Many holiday tours are filled with lights and nostalgia, but this one explores the shadows they cast. The Dark Christmas Tour reveals the city’s overlooked winter history, where colonial beliefs, street riots, and literary creativity influenced the evolution of Christmas. Conducted by Purefinder New York, this 90-minute stroll through Lower Manhattan uncovers the hidden past, illustrating how joy, conflict, and commerce contributed to the development of the contemporary holiday season.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.