Mechanical window displays, synchronized light, and sound shows, not to mention Santa Claus and toy soldiers surely await you in this winter wonderland.
All tickets include a donation to New York City's Toys for Tots. Lighting and window displays we visit on the New York Holiday Lights Tour:
Mechanical Window Displays: Marvel at the enchanting mechanical window displays that captivate audiences every year.
Synchronized Light & Sound Shows: Enjoy the brilliant synchronized light and sound shows that bring the city to life.
See Santa Claus & Toy Soldiers: Get into the festive spirit with exciting encounters with Santa Claus and toy soldiers.
Iconic Lighting & Window Displays:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Saks Fifth Ave
Macy’s Herald Square
Barneys
Bergdorf Goodman
Tiffany & Co.
Experience the magic of New York City’s holiday season on a 2-hour walking tour featuring the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the dazzling Fifth Avenue window displays.
Our New York Christmas Lights Tour is perfect for holiday enthusiasts eager to witness the city's iconic festive displays.
We're proud supporters of New York City Toys for Tots (we've donated over $18K since we started in 2018!) and every ticket includes a donation.
Guests get a close up spot to see the ornaments and decorations on the Rockefeller Holiday Tree.
courtney is an excellent guide, she covered the china town/ little italy with in depth history. i loved the pizza and sponge cake ! i would reccomend her for another tour!
We had a great tour with Courtney. The foodie stops were delicious and interesting spots plus we learned a lot about the culture and history behind it! We tried a variety of foods and enjoyed every minute! Highly recommended!
Meredith, our tour guide, was a great communicator, even before the tour began. She led us through the streets of Greenwich Village on a thoroughly enjoyable evening ghost tour. We learned many interesting historical facts along with stories of haunted sites. She was friendly, knowledgeable, energetic, and enthusiastic—what more could you ask for?
A great overall tour of Harlem. We go to NYC regularly but we haven't really seen Harlem. Wow, Ronald our guide was great..such a wealth of knowledge and taking us not only to the major highlights but some great unique spots like the urban garden and meeting Paul who told us how it started years ago and expanded to help the community in a variety of ways. It was a warm day but Ronald worked to find shade and indoor locations to help. Thank you and we plan to return to Harlem to explore more.
We had the best time joining Courtney on her Lower East Side Food tour! Courtney told us so many fantastic stories and the time went by too fast! We had so much fun trying the delicious food, which was really well chosen to get to know the area! Thank you so much! We will be back for more 🤗😀
Our walking tour with Courtney was the highlight of our weekend. We're locals, and we got to know cool insights into local history and architecture while being guided us to some of our favorite food spots!
The pace was perfect, Courtney was a great guide, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the neighborhood. Highly recommended for locals and visitors alike!
Easily recommendable! To see the places where real history took place and to learn of real people who came from Harlem and made changes in the world was very interesting and valuable. Lady Altovise knew her stuff! She was fun and engaging while telling true and inspirational stories. Gives me pride for Harlem and our country. A tour to do while you’re in NY!
I took a Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO sightseeing tour with Renee from Tours by Foot, and she was absolutely incredible. As a New Yorker, I’m always curious to learn more about my own city, and I feel like I hit the jackpot with Renee as my guide. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and full of fascinating history and stories.
In one fantastic walk over the bridge, I learned far more than I expected to in just a few hours. I highly recommend Renee to anyone looking for a memorable, informative, and enjoyable sightseeing experience.
Michael was a fantastic tour guide. His enthusiasm and knowledge was so appreciated by all of us. He is definitely a great ambassador for the best of NYC.
Had the best experience with Lady Altovise on her Saturday afternoon tour of Harlem. My mother discovered her on YouTube and booked her for us to experience while my parents visited. I’ve lived in Harlem for 10 years and still learned so much. She was amazing!
Lady Altovise did an outstanding & professional tour of Harlem! The Soul of Harlem Stroll: History & Heritage Tour was so entertaining and informative! You must take it if you’re visiting NYC! ATL Fans!
Join Tours by Foot as we experience the holidays in the city that only New York can offer.
We will take advantage of the subway to beat the street traffic, keep warm, and catch some underground holiday music.
Learn about the artists and backgrounds of these wonderful displays, including the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
We end our tour at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!
Lighting and window displays we visit on the New York Holiday Lights Tour:
Mechanical Window Displays: Marvel at the enchanting mechanical window displays that captivate audiences every year.
Synchronized Light & Sound Shows: Enjoy the brilliant synchronized light and sound shows that bring the city to life.
See Santa Claus & Toy Soldiers: Get into the festive spirit with exciting encounters with Santa Claus and toy soldiers.
See the famous Macy's windows!
Iconic Lighting & Window Displays:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Saks Fifth Ave
Macy’s Herald Square
Barneys
Bergdorf Goodman
Tiffany & Co.
And much more!
See marvelous store front displays in Midtown Manhattan. (Specific stores and displays vary by year)
If you prefer to stay warm, there’s also an On Location Tours Holiday Lights & Movie Sites bus tour. Get more information on the bus tour version here.
Tour information
This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible. We cannot accommodate wheelchairs or non-foldable strollers.
The tour runs at 7 PM daily. Additional time slots will be posted as needed (no tour on New Year's Eve).
Approximately 2 hours.
Please have a Subway Metro card with enough value for one subway ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a walking tour or a bus tour?
It’s a walking tour through Midtown Manhattan with one quick subway hop to avoid traffic and stay warm. We focus on Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center — no bus required!
What will we see on the NYC Christmas Lights Tour?
Expect Fifth Avenue’s famous holiday windows — Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue’s illuminated façade, Tiffany & Co., and more (the lineup changes each year).
We’ll also see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Bryant Park’s Winter Village when open, and end at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Where do we meet and end?
We meet in front of the New York Public Library lions at Fifth Avenue & 41st Street. The tour ends at Rockefeller Center near the Christmas Tree and skating rink.
Is the Saks Fifth Avenue light show included?
We view Saks’ holiday windows and festive façade lighting as part of the Fifth Avenue displays.
The synchronized light show varies by year—if it’s running, we’ll definitely catch it!
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Due to crowded sidewalks, narrow curbs, and a short subway ride involving stairs, this tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.
Guests with foldable strollers are welcome.
What time does the tour run?
Tours usually start at 7:00 PM each night during the season, with extra departures on peak dates in December.
Check the booking calendar for the latest times and availability.
And much, much more
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