There’s nothing quite like the sparkle of NYC Christmas decorations to get you into the holiday spirit. Every year, New York City transforms into a magical, winter wonderland filled with glittering lights, towering Christmas trees, and extravagant window displays that bring joy to visitors of all ages. From the world-famous Rockefeller Centre to hidden gem neighbourhood streets, New York City knows how to celebrate the holiday season in style.
This detailed guide, written by a local, will take you through all the amazing places to see spectacular Christmas decorations in New York City. The list is long, so let’s dive in!
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Iconic NYC Christmas Decorations You Can’t Miss
In this section, I’ll share the very best Christmas decorations in NYC. If it is your first time in New York or you don’t have long, make sure to see these!
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Plaza hosts the most famous Christmas tree in the world. It is giant and it is beautiful. It is best seen at night when it’s lit with pretty lights, but it is also worth seeing in the day.
Ice Skating in front of the Rockefeller tree is one of the most iconic Christmas activities in New York.
The iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree in day and night.
Radio City Music Hall
Just around the corner from Rockefeller Centre is Radio City Music Hall. This is also a really great area to see the best NYC Christmas decorations. These are usually the same every year, with giant candy canes & more magical Christmas trees, which make perfect photo opportunities.
Fifth Avenue
Possibly, the most famous street in NYC is known for its luxury shops. So, of course, they go all out with the festive decor. The stretch of 5th Avenue between The Plaza Hotel and Saks Fifth Avenue (more on Saks later) is the most festive, with Bergdorf Goodman, Dior, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuiton and more putting on elaborate displays.
Fifth Avenue also does its own decorations, which aren’t always the same each year, but are always great!
Enjoying the NYC Christmas decorations on Fifth Avenue.
Stunning Holiday Window Displays in New York City
New York’s department stores all do amazing window displays for the festive season. I’ll tell you more about each one below.
Macy’s Herald Square
Macy’s, New York, is the largest department store in the USA. Each year, they kick off the Christmas celebrations by hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The finale of the parade is Santa on his sleigh. Once Santa arrives, Christmas can begin!
Macy’s is decorated both inside and out; they have giant wreaths hanging on the outside of the store, and inside is also magical with ornate displays.
The window displays change each year, but are always worth stopping by to see. Often they are interactive, with buttons to press or selfies to snap. This is especially fun for children visiting NYC!
The display outside Macy’s & the interactive Christmas Window display.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue is one of the best places to see if you’re in New York at Christmas time. Their light show, adorning the front of the store, is iconic and mesmerising. In 2024, the lights show was cancelled, but I’m so pleased to report that it is returning for 2025. The show starts at 4 pm every day and runs every 10 minutes.
As well as this amazing light show, the store always has amazing window displays. This is a big store, so they have lots of windows to fill!
The 2023 Saks Fifth Avenue holiday display in day and at night.
Bergdorf Goodman
Also located on Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman is known for its luxury, artistic window displays. While they are not as iconic as Saks or Macy’s, they are still worth seeing, especially for fashion lovers!
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren’s Women and Home flagship store always puts on an amazing window display for Christmas. They also put up a garland around the doors, which makes the perfect photo backdrop.
Address: 888 Madison Avenue
NYC Hotels that Decorate for Christmas
Of course, some of New York City’s hotels put up incredible Christmas displays. Some of these you
The Peninsula New York
The Peninsula is one of my favourite NYC hotels to visit over the festive period. The main decorations are inside, and they welcome you to come in and look around!
The grand entrance hall is dressed with a giant Christmas tree, nutcrackers and ornaments. You can also go upstairs for even more festive decorations.
Address: 700 5th Avenue
Christmas decorations outside and inside The Peninsula Hotel, NYC.
Lotte New York Palace
The courtyard at the Lotte New York Palace has the most beautiful Christmas display. An amazing Christmas tree takes centre stage.
This is also home to The Vander Woodsens in Series 1 (if any Gossip Girl fans are reading this, check my guide to all the Gossip Girl filming locations in NYC!)
Address: 455 Madison Avenue
The Plaza, New York
Quite possibly one of New York’s most iconic hotels is The Plaza. Of course, it is extra special at Christmas time, even decorating all of their hotel rooms! Inside is adorned with many Christmas trees, and their marble stairs make the perfect photo spot.
At busy periods, the Plaza is only open to guests or those with a restaurant/ bar reservation. One Christmas, we went in without a booking, and another time, they weren’t letting people in without a reservation for the hotel or bar.
Address: 768 5th Avenue
NYC Christmas decorations: The Plaza & Lotte New York Palace Hotels
The Mark
Located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, The Mark Hotel is another hotel that does lovely Christmas decorations! They have different decorations each year and often collaborate with designers such as Swarovski.
Address: 25 East 77th Street
Swarovski Christmas display outside The Mark Hotel, NYC
Shopping Centers with Amazing Holiday Lights
If you’re looking to do a little shopping in NYC, check out these locations, and enjoy the Christmas Decorations while you’re there!
Hudson Yards
This shopping center brings out fabulous hot air balloon displays in the entrance every Christmas. They are huge and covered in twinkling lights. The rest of the shopping center is also decorated with festive garlands and more twinkling lights.
The decorations continue outside the store and around The Vessel, which is located just outside.
The Oculus
Another shopping centre in NYC with amazing Christmas decorations is The Oculus, located in Downtown Manhattan.
The Oculus always puts on an amazing Christmas display in the middle of the mall; this can be seen up close or from the open levels above.
Giant hot air balloons in Hudson Yards & a festive garland outside Ralph Lauren
Giant NYC Christmas Trees
NYC has some amazing Christmas trees. Of course, the incredible one at Rockefeller Centre, I already talked about. I also already mentioned a few others (at The Lotte New York Palace, The Peninsula and The Plaza Hotels), but there are even more to see!
Bryant Park
Bryant Park transforms into a winter wonderland during the festive season. With a holiday market, ice skating, and, to finish it off, a big Christmas tree!
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is free ot visit and it is extremely beautiful, especially at Christmas. They install a huge Christmas tree in the entrance, which is decorated with cute woodland birds and other animals.
Ice skating in Bryant Park at Christmas & a close-up of the New York Public Library Christmas Tree
South Street Seaport
In downtown Manhattan, there is a cute little area called South Street Seaport. There is another giant Christmas tree here. While I wouldn’t go out of my way to go here, it is nice to see if you’re in the area.
Wall Street
Finally, also located in Downtown Manhattan is Wall Street. Here you’ll find another amazing Christmas tree.
The Giant Christmas Trees in South Street Seaport & Wall Street
Magical Hidden-Gem Christmas Lights in NYC
Upper East Side
Lots of houses on the Upper East Side are decorated with elaborate Christmas decorations. You would probably be unlikely to pass these, as they are a little outside the main tourist areas, but they are well worth visiting if you have the time! I will share the best locations below. These houses are usually decorated each year, but not always in exactly the same way.
East 64TH Street – Between Fifth and Madison Avenues
This house is amazing. Each year, they put up some of the best decorations in New York. They’re always slightly different, but they’re always fabulous! This street isn’t too far away from the Plaza, so it should be easy to add to your itinerary!
East 76TH Street – Between Fifth and Madison Avenues
Each year, this NYC townhouse displays these giant Nutcracker decorations, along with other festive displays.
This is one of my favourite places in NYC to see the Christmas decorations, and it makes a perfect photo spot!
Christmas Houses in NYC on East 64th and 76th Streets
Dyker Hights
We never made it to Dyker Heights, but this is a really over-the-top area to see Christmas Decorations in New York. It’s in Brooklyn, unlike all the other locations I have mentioned, which are in Manhattan. You can take a guided bus tour to Dyker Heights, or it is possible to do a self-guided tour using the NYC Subway to get to Brooklyn.
Map of All the NYC Christmas Decorations to See
Below is a Google Map of all the NYC Christmas decorations that I mentioned above, which will help you plan your route.
Thank you for reading our guide on all the NYC Christmas decorations to see while you’re in New York. I hope you have an amazing time.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
OUR GUIDE TO NYC AT CHRISTMAS WITH KIDS
MACY’S SANTLAND NYC: REVIEW AND TIPS
Happy Exploring,
