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? Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has curated 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.

what are 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.

I know this not only because I have lived here for half of my life, but also because New York in January and February can be downright miserable. We need the magic, exuberance and wonder of those holiday lights and displays to cheer us as long as possible- warming us with their glow in the coldest and darkest days to follow.

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. 

Hudson Yards and Nordstrom also make their city debuts this year, adding more merriment to the festive atmosphere.

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, it’s extremely difficult to choose a favorite, and we’re not even going to try. We want to see them all!

the best Christmas decorations in New York this year

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

 The storied luxury department store is in the throes of Frozen 2 mania. The center six windows each depict Elsa’s extraordinary journey to discovering her own power as she navigates her way through the four spirits of nature- wind, fire, water and earth.

2. The Rockefeller Center tree

Sure, it’s a different tree each year, but the basic idea feels timeless, and whenever we spy the tree it feels like seeing an old friend back in town for the holidays.

3. Radio City Music Hall

You can always count on Radio City for a bold and brassy light show.

4. Avenue of the Americas

We never get tired of these over-sized red ornaments in the fountain on the Avenue of Americas across the street from Radio City.

5. 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.

6. The Plaza Hotel

Decadent and enchanting, the huge scale of the wreaths, Christmas tree and hundreds of ornaments make us feel like a child again.

7. The St. Regis hotel

Sparkling in traditional colors of red, green, and gold, this hotel is a sight to behold. And you can’t go wrong with giant nutcrackers guarding the door.

8. Bergdorf Goodman

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 “Good Times,” and each window captures a different scene of revelry and celebration.

9. Louis Vuitton

The flagship Louis Vuitton boutique is an explosion of 3D spheres and hearts, as well as pop art animations woven from the exterior of the building through the store windows.

10. Cartier

This year, the Cartier Mansion windows feature a fanciful carnival scene, including a Cartier Ferris wheel.

9. Nordstrom’s

 The new kid in town celebrates its Scandinavian roots with 50 miles of twinkling lights and more than 700 Scandinavian-inspired ornaments, 120 trimmed trees and 150 Sputnik-esque chandeliers.

10. 9 West 57th Street

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

11. Bloomingdale’s

Christmas in outer space? Why not? This year’s theme is “An Out of This World Holiday,” marking the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with window after window of space-age displays.

Uptown

1. Bronx Zoo

The Holiday Lights are back at the Bronx Zoo! Yay! For the first time in 12 years, after some of the animals go to bed, the zoo will be illuminated with lights. There will be wildlife-themed LED displays, custom Asian lanterns, and animated light shows. So you can embark on a whimsical, illuminated safari, and see animal species from around the world getting in on the holiday spirit.

2. The Met Cloisters

Ever wonder how people decorated for Christmas before electricity? This branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to medieval art goes all out with rustic and lovely decor in the medieval tradition during the holidays. This year’s theme is A Spanish Christmas.

3. The Pierre

This timeless and elegant hotel is resplendent in luxurious Christmas decorations, and the tree in their iconic rotunda is not to be missed.

 4. American Museum of National History

One of New York’s beloved traditions is the Origami Holiday Tree. This year, the theme is T.Rex and Friends, delightfully decorated with over 800 hand-folded paper models by origami artists.

5. The Carlyle Hotel

 It doesn’t get more New York than Art Deco splendor combined with Christmas trimmings.

6. Lincoln Center

Home to New York City Ballet’s The Nutcracker, this classic spot always makes us swoon.

Downtown

1. ABC Carpet and Home

 This eclectic, luxury home goods store always dazzles us with their natural wonders. This year, giant quartz crystals glow with quiet luxury.

2. Chelsea Market

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

3. Rolf’s Restaurant

 There’s always room for a little kitsch and no one does it better than Rolf’s. This German restaurant leaves no surface untouched by the Christmas spirit.

4. 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.

5. Hudson Yards

 Hudson Yards’ inaugural holiday program, “Shine On,” incorporates a dramatic indoor-outdoor artistic light and music installation by artist Christopher Schardt.

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. 2nd Avenue F Train

 The most novel and nostalgic holiday experience can be best found underground! Every Sunday, riders can board a festively festooned, vintage subway train on the F line.

It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women. Also kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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