Good morning on this cooling Thursday.

The thousands of revelers who packed into Rockefeller Center last night for the annual Christmas tree lighting brought to mind another holiday tradition here in the city: massive crowds.

’Tis the season for long lines, cramped sidewalks and sardined subway cars.

But hordes of tourists are no reason to miss out on the cheer. Seeking a less congested holidays, we spoke to owners and employees of popular attractions for advice on how to best avoid the masses.

Macy’s Santa. For the first time ever, St. Nick is taking reservations. You can hold a spot in line from 30 minutes to five days ahead of time. Santa’s little helpers can still accommodate walk-ins, but visit Monday through Thursday for the shortest lines, said Susan Tercero, Macy’s vice president of branded entertainment. And if you can, dash over soon. “The closer we get to Christmas, the busier Santa gets,” she said.

Ice Skating. The Rink at Rockefeller Center is typically packed during the holidays, said Carol Olsen, director of the skating rink. Expect to wait up to 90 minutes for your chance on the ice. The only reliably crowd-free moments, she said, are between 8:30 and 10 a.m., when you can still expect 50 to 75 people skating alongside you. For less crowded rinks, try weekday mornings or evenings at The Rink at Bryant Park in Midtown, LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park, or The Rink at Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan.