The Best Christmas Decorations in New York this Year

If you’re dreaming of New York City during the holiday season, but can’t make it here in person, why not take a virtual vacation? Here is our round-up of a photo journal of the best Christmas decorations in New York this year, including iconic store windows, lights and light shows, and towering Christmas trees. Here’s a glimpse of our sparkling city during one of the best times of the year.

where can you see the best Christmas decorations in New York this year?

This might be a controversial statement but we’re going to say it anyway: New York City does the best Christmas decorations in the world. And despite COVID-19, we are happy to report that the lights of the city will not be dimmed. This year’s decorations  are far from cancelled.

is the holiday actually coming to New York City this year?

Good question.

It all started out a bit iffy when the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrived in November. Its scraggly appearance made it seem like the perfect metaphor for 2020. But New Yorkers always find a way with their indomitable spirit and creativity.

It didn’t hurt that an adorable baby owl was discovered among its branches. The little one was nursed back to health and then released back into the forest. So there’s that, too.

No matter how scraggly the tree, we say bring it. Because we need the magic, exuberance and wonder of those holiday lights and displays to cheer us as long as possible. In a punishing season, they’re warming us with their glow in some of the coldest and darkest days.

You might envision New York during the holidays as being all about tradition. And red and green decorations. But the city has far more nuance and variety than that.

The best Christmas decorations in New York this year come in many colors, styles and moods. The holiday lights of New York are varied and dramatic. And best of all, window-gazing happens to be a COVID-19-friendly activity.

new for 2020 on Fifth Avenue

To help make spirits bright, there are some adorable new decorations to explore on Fifth Avenue in Midtown between 50th and 59th. They’re perfect for Instagram, family photos and general good cheer. Our favorite? The snowman in the propeller plane. So. Cute.

photos of the best Christmas decorations in New York this year

Whether you live here or if you’re dreaming of New York City during the holiday season, why not take a virtual tour? We’ve rounded up photos of the best holiday lights and decorations in New York this year. From Uptown to Downtown to Randall’s Island to Brooklyn, it’s extremely difficult to choose a favorite, and we’re not even going to try. We want to see them all!

One of the best things about the holiday season in New York is that some of the loveliest decorations have been the same for what feels like forever. While others are fresh each year, and full of sass and urgency.

Here’s what we saw on our travels throughout the city this season, and what we loved best.

Midtown

1. Saks Fifth Avenue Windows

Saks’ legendary window display is always synonymous with the holiday season in New York, and this year is no exception.

This year’s theme is This is How We Celebrate, featuring iconic settings around the city. Each over-the-top celebration scene brings a different quintessential New York moment or neighborhood to life.

Inside the store, some of the walls are adorned with quotes from Saks employees about how they celebrate the season and what they love most about the holidays in New York City.

2. The Rockefeller Center tree

What a makeover! It may have started out a bit scraggly, but look at it now!

Seeing this iconic tree is like seeing an old friend back in town for the holidays.

3. Radio City Music Hall & Avenue of the Americas

You can always count on Radio City for a bold and brassy light show, even if the Rockettes are on hiatus this year due to coronavirus. 

And we never get tired of these over-sized red ornaments in the fountain on the Avenue of Americas across the street. 

4. The Lotte New York Palace Hotel

 Just across the street from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Lotte Palace Hotel is always beautifully decorated. We love peeking through the iron gates into the courtyard every year.

5. The Plaza Hotel

Decadent and enchanting, the sheer scale of The Plaza’s Christmas decorations make us feel like a child again.

And just outside its magnificent entrance you’ll find the The Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Plaza Manhattan. In prior years, it’s been filled with illuminated evergreen trees. This year, it’s filled with sparkling toys.

6. Bergdorf Goodman windows

The OG of luxury department stores in Manhattan, Bergdorf’s always has incredible holiday windows for both the main store and the Men’s Store across Fifth Avenue. 

This year’s theme is “Bergdorf Goodness,” and the windows showcase the words love, hope, harmony, joy, peace, equality, kindness, and unity in jewel-inspired three-dimensional mirrors.

7. Macy’s Herald Square windows

Macy’s flagship windows unveiled their theme “Give, Love, Believe” as a tribute to the city’s frontline workers who have worked tirelessly throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

8. The Cartier mansion

You’re not done viewing the standout Christmas windows in New York until you see the Cartier Mansion. This year, the iconic luxury retailer is all wrapped up with a big red bow, with its signature panther perched on top.

9. 9 West 57th Street

It’s not Christmas until these giant candy canes appear at 9 West 57th Street.

10. Winter Village at Bryant Park

We love the charming, European feel of Bryant Park anytime of year. But for the holidays, it becomes even more irresistible. There’s a free outdoor skating rink, hot chocolate, and the lights of the city twinkling all around you.

Coronavirus caused the cancellation of the annual Christmas Market at Bryant Park. But there’s still holiday joy to be found in this special green space right in the center of New York.

11. Bloomingdale’s store windows

Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street is focusing on the good of 2020 in its window display, titled “Give Happy.” The elaborate, whimsical scenes feature appropriate smile inducing scenes like the one below.

Uptown

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met continues a longstanding holiday tradition with the presentation of its Christmas tree. The magnificently lit, twenty-foot blue spruce looms over a vivid eighteenth-century Neapolitan Nativity scene. This year it’s in a different place, though: the Petrie Sculpture Courtyard.

2. American Museum of National History

One of New York’s beloved traditions is the Origami Holiday Tree. This year’s theme is Crane and Colors, featuring 1,000 brilliantly colored cranes symbolizing peace and good wishes.

Over 1,000 folded cranes adorn the tree, taking a cue as well from the “Nature of Color” exhibit that is currently running at the museum.

3. Central Park 

The Central Park Conservancy has been draping the Charles A. Dana Center in holiday lights for the past 20 years. It’s like “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” come to life.

But for sheer eye-catching, dreamy beauty, you can’t top the annual Christmas Tree Flotilla at the Harlem Meer. The annual event is hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy (the same people who bring us the “Hat Lunch” every spring). The dusk event – virtual this year – includes a live countdown to lighting a dazzling flotilla of trees on the water, a poem read by Conservancy staff, and holiday caroling. No school like the Old School.

4. The LuminoCity Festival on Randall’s Island

Spanning several acres on Randall’s Island, LuminoCity is an immersive wonderland of light installations.

This year’s sculptures are all new, and inspired by nature, history, and of course, magic.

Downtown

1. ABC Carpet and Home store windows

 This eclectic, luxury home goods store always dazzles us with their natural wonders and quirky installations. As always, they have some of the best Christmas holiday store windows in the city this year.

2. Chelsea Market

 The halls are decked…with multi-colored mylar curtains and lit up stars suspended from the ceiling.

3. Washington Square Park

 The 45-foot Christmas tree under the iconic arch is a quintessential holiday stop for locals who can’t brave the midtown crowds.

4. Hudson Yards

Over 3 million lights illuminate throughout the shops, the Vessel, the cool new observatory The Edge and many of the other outdoor areas at Hudson Yards.

5. Brookfield Place

It is truly magical being immersed in the suspended canopy of glowing lanterns that change in color and intensity within the Winter Garden.

6. New York Stock Exchange

Christmas and capitalism are interesting bedfellows. Don’t think too much about it. Just look at the pretty tree and lights!

Brooklyn, the Bronx and Beyond

1. The Bronx Zoo

The Holiday Lights are back at the Bronx Zoo! Yay! There are wildlife-themed LED displays, custom Asian lanterns and animated light shows. Embark on a whimsical, illuminated “Lantern safari,” and see animal species from around the world enjoying the holiday spirit.

2. The New York Botanical Garden – NYBG GLOW

This year, the New York Botanical Garden is hosting a holiday lights exhibit this year to give its next-door-neighbor some friendly competition. The Glow Light Show takes place at various locations throughout the Garden. And of course, there’s a tree. ‘Cause you know, it’s a botanical garden.

3. The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

This beloved annual tradition sees miniature versions of iconic New York landmarks crafted from natural materials like moss and twigs. Miniature trains chug past them, many with holiday greetings and gifts.

This year, though, due to coronavirus social distancing requirements, access to the Holiday Train Show is limited to garden members and patrons. Consider that just one more excellent reason to become a member of this marvelous botanical garden just minutes away from Midtown Manhattan by . . . wait for it . . . train.

4. Dyker Heights 

The most over-the-top decorations are not found in Manhattan, but in Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights. The homeowners go all out as you can see and hear (some houses even bump Christmas carols from loudspeakers.)

the best Christmas holiday decorations in New York this year

It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Those are our picks for the best Christmas holiday decorations in New York City this year, including store windows, lights and Christmas trees. Wherever you decide to visit, stay safe and strong out there, dear reader. And Happy Holidays!