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Guide to NYC’s Holiday Window Displays

Admin_AZ_New_York 2 weeks ago

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Guide to NYC’s Holiday Window Displays

Your complete guide to the most magical and spectacular holiday tradition in New York City.

Every winter, New York City transforms into a festive wonderland, and at the heart of this transformation are the spectacular holiday window displays.

This cherished tradition sees the city’s most iconic department stores and luxury boutiques unveil elaborate, artful, and often breathtaking scenes in their windows. It is a city-wide public art exhibition, a gift to New Yorkers and visitors that captures the magic and wonder of the holiday season.

From the high-fashion fantasies of Bergdorf Goodman to the heartwarming narratives at Macy’s and the dazzling light show at Saks Fifth Avenue, each display is a masterpiece of design, storytelling, and craftsmanship.

A walking tour of the holiday windows is an essential New York experience, a journey through a glittering streetscape that creates unforgettable memories for all ages.

This guide, a special curation by AZ New York, is your essential map to finding and enjoying the most enchanting holiday displays across Manhattan.

“The holiday windows are New York’s love letter to the season. They turn the city’s avenues into a grand stage for imagination, wonder, and festive joy.“

You might be interested in these other holiday guides

Location	Vibe	Key Feature
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Guide	Iconic & Festive	The World’s Most Famous Tree
Guide to NYC’s Holiday Markets	Artisanal & Charming	Unique Gifts & Festive Food
Guide to Ice Skating in NYC	Classic & Fun	Iconic Rinks & Views
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide	Spectacular & Over-the-Top	Neighborhood Light Displays
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Guide	Legendary & Theatrical	The Rockettes

Guides to Other Holiday Attractions

4 Tips for Viewing the Holiday Windows

Go at Night for the Full Sparkle: While impressive during the day, the displays truly come to life at night when they are fully illuminated. The light shows and glittering details are best experienced after dark.
Weeknights are Best to Avoid Crowds: The sidewalks along Fifth and Sixth Avenues can become incredibly congested, especially on weekends. For a more pleasant viewing experience, try visiting on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evening.
Create a Walking Route: The main displays are concentrated along Fifth Avenue between Herald Square (34th St) and Central Park (59th St). Plan a route starting at Macy’s and working your way uptown to see everything efficiently.
Don’t Forget the Decorations in Between: Beyond the main windows, look for other spectacular decorations, like the giant red ornaments on 6th Avenue, the UNICEF snowflake at 57th & 5th, and the Cartier building wrapped in a giant red bow.

Keep an Eye On: The Theatrical Unveiling Events.

The debut of the holiday windows is a major event in itself. In mid-to-late November, stores like Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, and Macy’s host grand unveiling ceremonies. These events are often full-scale productions, featuring celebrity hosts, live musical performances, and spectacular fireworks or light shows.

While they draw massive crowds, attending an unveiling is a thrilling experience that officially kicks off the holiday season in the city. Keep an eye on the news in early November for announcement dates and times if you want to be part of the magic from the very beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When are the holiday windows unveiled in NYC?

Most stores unveil their holiday windows in the week leading up to Thanksgiving in late November. They typically remain on display until just after New Year’s Day, around January 1st or 2nd.

Is it free to see the holiday window displays?

Yes, viewing the holiday window displays is a completely free public attraction for everyone to enjoy.

What is the best way to get around to see all the windows?

The best way is to walk. The majority of the most famous displays are located along a 2-mile stretch of Fifth Avenue and its surrounding streets. Wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly.

Ranking: The 7 Best Holiday Displays in NYC

Below, check out the ranking of the must-see holiday displays, in a special curation by AZ New York.

1. Saks Fifth Avenue

The undisputed champion of holiday displays. Saks offers a one-two punch: the fantastical, narrative-driven window displays and the spectacular music-and-light show that projects onto the entire facade of the building. It’s a breathtaking show that stops traffic and is the centerpiece of the Fifth Avenue experience.
Address: 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown
Highlight: The magnificent sound-and-light show that illuminates the entire building.

2. Bergdorf Goodman

The most artistic and high-fashion of all the displays. Bergdorf’s windows are known for their incredible craftsmanship, opulent detail, and fantastical, dreamlike themes. Each window is a museum-quality diorama, filled with couture fashion and breathtaking artistry.
Address: 754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Neighborhood: Midtown
Highlight: The sheer artistry, detail, and high-fashion elegance of each window.

3. Macy’s Herald Square

The store that started it all. Macy’s holiday windows are a beloved tradition, known for their heartwarming, family-friendly narratives and classic Christmas magic. The displays on the 34th Street side often tell a charming story, delighting children and adults alike.
Address: 151 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
Neighborhood: Herald Square
Highlight: The classic, nostalgic Christmas storytelling and family-friendly themes.

4. Cartier

The most elegant decoration in the city. The entire Cartier Mansion is famously wrapped in a giant, glittering red bow, turning the historic building into the most beautiful Christmas present imaginable. It’s a simple, yet incredibly effective and iconic, photo opportunity.
Address: 653 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown
Highlight: The entire building wrapped like a perfect, sparkling gift.

5. Bloomingdale’s

“Bloomie’s” always delivers a fun, colorful, and often interactive display. The windows along Lexington Avenue typically feature a modern and vibrant theme, often in partnership with a major holiday movie or cultural event, making them both timely and spectacular.
Address: 1000 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Highlight: The fun, contemporary themes and vibrant, eye-catching designs.

6. Tiffany & Co. – “The Landmark”

The iconic jeweler transforms its Fifth Avenue flagship into a sparkling winter wonderland. The windows are filled with dazzling jewelry set against whimsical, dreamlike scenes, while the building’s facade itself is often adorned with a spectacular light installation.
Address: 727 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown
Highlight: The glittering, jewelry-filled miniature worlds and the elegant facade lighting.

7. Rockefeller Center

While not a store window, the entire plaza is a must-see display. The combination of the towering, brilliantly lit Christmas Tree, the golden Prometheus statue, the Channel Gardens’ angels, and the ice rink creates the single most iconic holiday scene in the world.
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
Neighborhood: Midtown
Highlight: The world’s most famous Christmas Tree and the quintessential NYC holiday atmosphere.

All research and the final selection of the displays in this guide were carried out by the team at AZ New York.

Explore Our Guides to New York City

Holiday & Winter Guides

For insights into the festive celebrations of another major global city, you can also explore the Christmas lights and decorations of São Paulo.

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