As a native New Yorker, every year I look forward to the magic of the holiday season when Christmas lights and holiday decorations appear throughout NYC.
Many are synchonized, and such could be characterized as Christmas lights shows.
No matter how many years I've seen the dazzling displays and marvelous department store windows, it never gets old.
I know which spots shine the brightest, which stores have the best displays, and where the best decked-out Christmas trees and homes are in all five boroughs of NYC.
In this post, I'll tell you where to see the best lights in 2025 so you can see the spectacle for yourself!
In this video, Katie, my fellow tour guide with Tours by Foot NYC, takes you on a virtual tour of the city's best Christmas lights displays.
If you’d like to be led to the best lights while enjoying festive tales of New York City, consider joining us on our Holiday Lights Tour.
Best Places to See Christmas Lights by Borough
For more suggestions on enjoying the holidays in the city, be sure to read our full guide on Christmas in NYC.
When Do the Christmas Decorations Go Up in New York?
Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in America.
In New York City, the anticipation grows as early as October and you may begin to see some holiday displays.
But, Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) is regarded as the start of the holiday season and by late November holiday lights drape NYC.
Stores begin selling green, red and white items weeks before Christmas and things really heat up before Thanksgiving.
But for me, the season goes into full gear with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.
All over NYC, you'll see sparkling Christmas trees, playful holiday shop windows, Hanukkah menorahs lit blue and white and all kinds of magical light displays.
A festive mood fills the city from late November until the end of the year, and in some places, it spills into early January.
If you’d like to be led to the best lights while enjoying festive tales of New York City, consider joining us on our Holiday Lights Tour.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
This giant Christmas tree wrapped with thousands of lights is one of the most iconic sights of NYC during the holidays.
As a kid, the tree appeared so big to me, that it seemed as if it reached up to the sky!
As an adult, it still seems pretty darn big!
Go see for yourself just how tall this gorgeous tree is!
This year, the tree lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 4. The tree will come down in mid-January.
Find out how to attend the ceremony from our post on the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
We include insider tips about when to arrive, where to stand for the best views and other nuggets of helpful information.
In this video, my fellow tour guide Katie, here at New York Tours By Foot, goes over the details about seeing the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Location: The middle of the Rockefeller Center complex between West 48th and 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues.
When you are at Rockefeller Center, stop by the famed toy store FAO Schwarz, my favorite place to go as a child.
All those giant toys!
Radio City Music Hall
Down the block from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is Radio City Music Hall, with its famous neon marquee.
Several of my fellow local tour guides love the theater or are aspiring performers as well and have seen the annual Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
They wholeheartedly recommend going to the show.
This historic and gorgeous venue offers a Radio City Music Hall Tour.
While Radio City is lit up tastefully, the decorations I really love are across the street diagonally from Radio City.
Sitting atop the fountain in front of 1251 Sixth Avenue are massive red ornament balls surrounded by small trees wrapped with white lights. It's an iconic Christmas sight in NYC.
Location: Corner of 6th Avenue and 50th Street.
5th Avenue Department Store Window Displays
During the holidays, Fifth Avenue between 55th and 59th Streets is a corridor of lights with its department stores filled with dazzling window displays.
Bergdorf Goodman’s windows are edgy and dynamic. Tiffany’s windows are as bejeweled as ever.
Cartier and Christian Dior join in the fun!
Most years Saks has a light show, but in 2025, Saks will be doing something different as it celebrates its 101th year on 5th Avenue.
See what magic Saks Fifth Avenue will be up to this year.
I have no doubt that the usual, phenomenal Christmas light show will return next year.
I've seen it several times over the years, and I highly recommend you see it.
This video shows you what to expect.
Read more about these in our post on the best Christmas and Holiday window displays in Manhattan.
Location: 5th Avenue between 55th and 59th Streets
The Plaza Hotel and Pulitzer Fountain
This historic hotel at 59th Street and 5th Avenue is beautiful year-round.
At the holidays, the Pulitzer Fountain in front of the hotel sparkles with oversized tree ornaments and other Christmas decorations.
The Plaza Hotel and Pulitzer are located across the street from the southeast entrance to Central Park.
I think the park is quite charming in winter, especially after a light snowfall.
Location: 5th Avenue and 59th Streets
Bloomingdale's
The home of the ‘Big Brown Bag’, Bloomingdale’s puts on a fabulous holiday window display.
It’s worth walking a few extra blocks from 5th Avenue to see it.
2025 dates to be announced. Last year, Bloomingdale's unveiled its windows on November 13.
If you have the time, walk half a block to Serendipity 3 for one of my favorite desserts in NYC, the decadent Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Location: Bloomingdales at 1000 Third Avenue at 59th St.
The Shops at Columbus Circle
This upscale indoor shopping mall is next to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, which my fellow tour guides, Katie and Lori, visit in the video below.
During the holiday season, the atrium is decorated with 14-foot stars synchronized to blink to holiday music.
Here's a tip for those who need to make a 'pit stop'. There are public bathrooms inside the mall!
Dates: 2025 dates to be announced. Last year, the lights lit up from November 18, to January 5. The show takes place every half hour from 5:00 pm until 12:00 am daily.
Location: At the intersection of Broadway, 8th Avenue, Central Park South and Central Park West.
Macy’s Holiday Windows
Macy’s claims to be the first of the city's department stores to adorn its windows with Christmas decorations.
First or not, the windows are among the best in the city.
The store begins planning its holiday windows months in advance. Displays include animatronics, whimsical dancing characters, and figurines.
As many as 10,000 people pass its holiday windows each day.
I've waited in line many times and rest assured, the wait to see Macy's holiday windows is worth it.
Macy's has two sets of windows with holiday displays.
One on Broadway between 34th and 35th streets and another set of windows on 34th Street.
Here in the last week in November? Good timing as you can catch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
2025 dates to be announced. Last year, the unveiling was on November 21, and remained up until January 1.
Winter Village at Bryant Park
By far, my fellow guides and I rate Winter Village as one of the best holiday destinations in NYC.
Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan is transformed into a sparkling ‘village’ with a 50-foot plus Christmas tree.
The village has a pop-up holiday market with unique gifts, holiday food stalls and a free ice skating rink!
While entry is free, you need to bring skates or rent a pair there.
Bryant Park is included in our Midtown Manhattan tours.
Dates: 2025 dates to be announced. Last year dates were: October 25 – January 5. Hours are Monday – Friday: 11 am-8 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am-8 pm.
Some stalls will have later hours after Thanksgiving, as Christmas draws near.
Many Shops will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Days, especially from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Location: 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets
TIP: There are loads of free events and activities at Bryant Park year-round. See what's on when you are here.
The Shops at Hudson Yards and The Vessel
For those of us who like less Christmas-y but still stunning light displays, Hudson Yards Mall puts on a fantastic holiday light display.
2025 dates to be announced. Last year, the lights lit up on November 29.
Expect the same magic as in 2025, which had two million twinkling lights, 115 miles of string lights, 725 evergreen trees, 16-foot-tall illuminated pieces shaped like hot air balloons and a huge 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece!
There are other holiday activities between November 30th and December 24th. Find out more here
Kids can get free photos with Santa from November - December.
Hudson Yards is where you will find one of NYC’s five observation decks, Edge. Read more about visiting Edge.
Dates: 2025 dates to be announced. Last year date was November 29, which remained up until the first week in January.
Location: 10th Avenue and 33rd Street
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is in Greenwich Village, a lively neighborhood that should be on your list of places to see.
This historic park has had an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony since 1924!
2025 dates to be announced. Last year, the lighting ceremony took place on December 14.
Christmas or not, I think every visitor should walk through Washington Square Park.
The park is one of the best spots to people-watch and the vibe is always jovial.
Read more about the event at the website.
Location: 5th Avenue and Washington Square North
Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is an upscale food market and shopping mall inside a restored industrial factory with a brick wall interior giving the space a cozy feel.
During the holidays, lights are tastefully chosen to fit the atmosphere and a small Christmas pop-up market sells unique artisan gifts.
The market is next to the High Line, a one-of-a-kind green space built on abandoned elevated railroad tracks.
I think this is a must-see location in NYC and you can combine a trip to Chelsea Market with a stroll in the park.
The park is much more than trees and plants. It has a fascinating history and is surrounded by architectural gems.
Consider taking our High Line tours for a full understanding of this park.
Location: Between W. 15th and W. 16th Streets and Ninth and Tenth Avenues.
Brookfield Place
Located in Battery Park City, this spacious mall celebrates the season with a Holiday Under the Palms in the glass atrium, the Winter Garden.
Escape the winter cold with a trip to a tropical oasis in the heart of New York City.
Amongst the tall palm trees, you can enjoy family-friendly events, selfies with Santa and a tropical holiday cocktail crawl.
Christmas trees are located throughout rest of the mall. Outside the atrium the twiggy trees are lit with white lights.
Dates: Late November until just after the New Year.
Location: 220 Vesey Street at West Street
Across the street is the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. Consider stopping by before or after visiting Brookfield Place.
If you have time, I suggest you pop into the Oculus, an indoor mall with a most unusual space-age design. It is an Instagram-worthy sight!
New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
Since 1923, the New York Stock Exchange has erected a festive Christmas tree outside the building.
In addition to the tree, there may be scheduled musical performances.
In recent years there have been performances by the Radio City Rockettes and stars from various Broadway shows.
The Stock Exchange is one of the most historic New York institutions and it is a stop on almost all of our Lower Manhattan tours as well as on our GPS-enabled audio tour.
Date: 2025 dates TBD. Last year date was December 5, from 3 pm – 6 pm
Location: Intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street
South Street Seaport
Charming year-round, this historic waterfront district brings out the Christmas spirit with all kinds of fun activities during the Holidays at the Seaport.
A 60-foot Norway spruce is dressed for the season with a “constellation” theme reflecting the neighborhood’s nautical history.
Christmas or not, check out the Seaport, if anything for the views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River from Pier 15.
Do what I do: grab a warm drink from the Tin Building market and stroll along Pier 15 soaking in the expansive views.
Find out more about this historic enclave in NYC from our post on the South Street Seaport.
Date: 2025 dates TBD. Last year, the tree lighting festivities occurred on December 3 starting at 3 pm, with live performances from 6 pm to 7 pm.
Location: Fulton Street and South Street
Lincoln Center Plaza
Home to the NY Philharmonic, Lincoln Center is a place to visit any time of the year to hear music, see the ballet, or just enjoy sitting in the plaza.
Last year. from December 3 until just after the New Year, the large plaza and buildings were lit in an array of colors making this beautiful sight even more so.
Several seasonal shows take place at Lincoln Center, like my favorite - and perhaps yours - The Nutcracker Ballet.
Find out about other Holiday Shows in NYC.
Across the street in Dante Park is Lincoln Square’s Magical Lights Festival with eight 'singing' trees.
A sound installation of audio-reactive lights on the trees, ake the trees twinbke as if singing in sync with festive holiday music.
The stretch of Broadway between West 60th and West 70th streets will be lined with 36 illuminated trees.
Location: Columbus Avenue and 64th Street
Dyker Heights
Every few years I head out to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see its outlandish Christmas lights and decorations put up by residents.
It's like nothing you have seen before!
The neighborhood is filled with dozens of houses lavishly decorated with thousands of lights, huge lawn ornaments and motorized displays.
The Christmas lights of Dyker Heights are a “must-see” for many people during the holidays. You can check them out on your own or take a tour.
Read about both options from our post on seeing the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens Lightscape
2025 dates are yet to be announced. Last year, from November 22, to January 5, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens was lit in spectacular fashion.
Lightscape, while not solely Christmas-focused, is a mesmerizing celebration of the beauty of winter.
With 18 unique light installations such as the Winter Cathedral tunnel, Sea of Light, and Fire Garden.
This light display was one of the best I saw in 2024 and can't wait to see it again this year.
You must reserve tickets in advance. Tickets are $45 for adults and $23 for children (3-12). Toddlers 2 and under are free.
Prices are lower on off-peak times and on 'value nights'. See prices and purchase tickets here.
Prospect Park Christmas Tree
From early December through the first week of January, you can find the beautiful 35-foot Christmas Tree in the middle of Brooklyn's majestic Grand Army Plaza, near the entrance to Prospect Park.
Each year, the tree is accompanied by a nativity scene and special art installations.
2025 dates TBD. Last year, the lighting ceremony took place on December 13, at 5 pm.
While it is far from being the most amazing Christmas tree in NYC, Prospect Park is the second-best park in the city, after Central Park.
The tree is also at the north end of Park Slope, one of the most beautiful brownstone neighborhoods in NYC.
I may be biased as I lived there for a few years, but if you feel like a stroll in a charming historic neighborhood where you will meet only locals.
I encourage you to go visit.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
2025 date TBD. Last year, from November 22, to January 5, this world-famous zoo displayed unbelievable immersive lights.
Walk through seven lantern trails decorated with millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns representing almost 100 animal and plant species.
Enjoy light shows, a towering holiday tree with synchronized musical light performance and a walk-through tunnel with animal-themed light shows.
With ice carvings, a holiday train, hot cocoa, seasonal treats and more, the Bronx Zoo is an awesome destination this holiday!
Find out more here.
Don't be fooled because it's at the zoo. I found this show delightful! Go with or without kids!
GLOW at the New York Botanical Gardens
This oasis in the Bronx always has something special going on and this holiday season is no different.
The already stunning grounds of the NYBG are illuminated after dark with thousands of sparkling LEDs, playful plant installations, and landmarked buildings decked out for the holiday.
There will be outdoor bars and food vendors, a holiday pop-up market, and even artistic ice carving demonstrations.
Also at the gardens is the magical Holiday Train Show.
Dates: Didn't happen last year. Really hoping it will be back in 2025.
Illuminate The Farm at Queens County Farm Museum
Every holiday the Queens County Farm Museum is transformed into a magical world of color and light.
At Illuminate The Farm, you and your family can celebrate the holidays among lanterns shaped like farm animals, flowers, and even tractors!
2025 dates TBD. Last year, the event didn't run.
Amaze Light Festival
America's largest light festival, Amaze, is an immersive storybook experience held at easy-to-reach Citi Field in Queens.
Visitors stroll five thematic worlds of oversized displays with millions of lights and gigantic 3D-lighted decor.
This is one light festival not to be missed!
As of December last year, the Amaze Festival is on hold indefinitely.
