Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Ooh, The Noble Lords Of Gramercy Park Will Let The Rabble In For One Hour This Month!
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 15, 2014
Modified Dec 15, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 15, 2014
Modified Dec 15, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Have you heard the news? The filthy dirt-eating mouth breathers of New York City will be permitted to soil the pristine air of Gramercy Park for one brutally coarse hour this month. The gates of Manhattan's only private park, which is normally a tranquil oasis reserved for New York's most sophisticated aristocrats, will be flung open on Christmas Eve at 6 p.m., letting any knuckle-dragging blackguard or slatternly termagant trample all over it for sixty disgraceful minutes.
It's unclear if the "public" will enter Gramercy Park through a temporary poor door or if they'll be launched over the fence via human slingshot, but once the clock strikes 7 they'll be blasted out with firehoses so that workers can immediately begin the long process of cleaning.
Apparently this brief sop to the insignificant non-key holders is an annual tradition (we're guessing there's some end-of-year tax break involved). And in addition to tainting Gramercy Park with their presence, the keyless masses will also be singing. We're told the musical director at Calvary Episcopal Church, located next door to Gramercy Park, will be leading the rabble in so-called "carols," presumably detailing their vulgar Christmas traditions in Hollis. Gramercy residents who have not yet installed soundproof double-paned windows are advised to do so immediately.
Tagged
elitism
gramercy park
original
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 12:43 p.m. ET
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .