New York City’s holiday festivities are best experienced firsthand, but here’s a glimpse to get you in the spirit. Who doesn’t want to celebrate Christmas in New York? Every great Christmas movie or memory of ours is somehow associated with NYC.
So bundle up, and let’s start counting our steps. You don’t need any special pass, just great winter gear (however, weather can be much warmer), and get your camera ready!
- Tour of awe-inspiring department stores window displays like Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale, and the iconic Macy’s one. Usually with an original theme or throwback to years past.
- Rockefeller Plaza (across Sak’s ) and its iconic giant tree, as well as the beautiful Angels decors on Channel Gardens
- Visit the Peninsula Hotel and the Plaza Hotel for their majestic decoration
- The Pulitzer Fountain (across the Plaza Hotel) where 2021 displayed leaping seals, penguins, and a skating jaguar frolic while holiday music plays
- Unique giant toys created by Blachere Illumination started in 2020 but are now permanent holiday fixtures along the Avenue. You’ll find a Christmas Cab (always lit but unavailable for a ride !), ballooning, a giant Teddy Bear, a snowman on an airplane, a driedl and an actual mailbox where you can drop your letter to Santa
- Gigantic Holiday Cheer on 6th Avenue just across the Radio Music City Hall (shown in pictures above)