Though I have lived in New York City my whole life, I never get bored seeing the incredible holiday window displays.
Every year is a surprise as stores have new themes and spectacular designs.
If you have never seen NYC's department stores' Christmas, do it!
You will be dazzled by these imaginative and magical displays.
This post covers the best window displays that will delight you this holiday season, including the 5th Avenue store windows.
In this video, my fellow tour guide Katie takes you on a tour of the 2023 windows. They are out of this world!
The 2025 windows will be just as amazing if not better! Stay tuned for dates as they are announced.
You can see them on your own, though you will have to deal with finding your way through the busy streets rather than focusing only on the windows.
Consider joining our New York Holiday Lights Tour where your guide takes care of logistics, so all you have to do is set your eyes on the stunning displays!
We take you to Manhattan's best light displays, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and much more!
The Best Holiday Window Displays in NYC
Bergdorf Goodman - Fifth Avenue at 58th Street
The 2025 dates have yet to be announced but will be similar to last year's dates, November 16 to December 27.
Bergdorf's windows are my favorite. The whimsical windows are filled with cutting-edge fashion melded with holiday spirit.
If you see only one department store's windows, Bergdorf’s is it!
Last year, Bergdorf dazzled as always, with the theme “Isn’t It Brilliant”.
Jam-packed with mirrors, chrome, neon, crystals, and other reflective surfaces, the windows and the stories they tell were fantastic!
Saks 5th Avenue at Fifth Avenue at 50th Street
This century-old department store always goes above and beyond its window displays.
Most years Saks has a light show, but in 2025, Saks will be doing something different as it celebrates its 100th year on 5th Avenue.
Saks will be celebrating its centennial anniversary and its magnificent historic landmarked building erected in 1924.
The building will be illuminated with elegant lights and there will also be fashionable holiday windows displays.
Expect something special!
In past years, Sak's light show was a highlight of the avenue. The building is draped in 700,000 LED lights.
After dark, a light show synchronized to music takes place every ten minutes. This is a sight not to miss this holiday!
Each year there are different celebrities on the first night of the light show. This spectacle is one of the best things I've ever seen!
Read more about the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show.
Macy’s at West 34th Street at 6th Ave.
This year the windows will be unveiled on November 21 and stay decorated until January 1, 2025.
Of all the window displays, Macy's windows are the first I saw when I was a child growing up here in the city.
Last year, the Macy’s Holiday Windows theme was "Give Love" which celebrated the joy and magic of Friendship.
Themes have changed over the years, but recently the themes centered around Tiptoe the adorable blue reindeer is back with her friends Penguin and Polar Bear.
Each window shows the trio doing things they love to do together for the holidays.
The most-famed of all holiday window displays, Macy's reports that as many as 10,000 people line up daily to see this iconic store’s displays.
Read more about Macy's Christmas Windows.
FAO Schwarz at 30 Rockefeller Center
Every day feels like Christmas at FAO Schwarz, one of the most famous toy stores in the world.
Not surprisingly, its windows celebrate the spirit of the holidays with classic figurines and larger-than-life toys.
While the windows are fun, the best part awaits you INSIDE the store!
The glorious stuffed animals seemed massive to me as a child, but now as an adult, they are still pretty big. Some won't fit into a taxi!
Stay tuned for 2025 dates.
Cartier at 5th Ave. and 52nd Street
What better way to dress up a building where one can purchase some of the most desired gifts in the world?
I love window shopping at Cartier year-round.
But come the holiday season, the building becomes the best-wrapped gift in town!
Lights will go up in December, with 2025 dates yet to be announced.
Empire State Building at 34th Street at Fifth Avenue
You may have come for the views above, but the views at street level in the lobby are pretty special this time of year.
The 2025 theme celebrates the holiday classic “Elf”, in which Buddy the Elf travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his father in his office in the Empire State Building.
There is also a fantastic program of holiday events like Christmas movie screenings and photos with Santa.
Keep an eye out for the building's spire during the holiday season. It's lit red and green for Christmas.
If you are planning to visit this world-famous skyscraper, read our post on how to get tickets to the Empire State Building.
Bloomingdale's at 1000 Third Avenue at 59th St.
2025 season date is yet to be announced. Last year, Bloomingdale's unveiled its windows on November 13.
This year's theme is based on the hit musical Wicked.
Whenever I am near Bloomies (as we locals call it), I stop into Serendipity 3 for the famous, to-die-for Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Read about Serendipity 3 and other places to find great sweets and world-renowned art on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
TIP: If you want to see incredible 360-degree views of NYC for the cost of a subway ride, you can walk 3 blocks from Bloomies to the Roosevelt Island Tram.
Taking this 4-minute ride on this aerial cable car offers one of the best skyline views of NYC!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Christian Dior - 767 5th Avenue
- Tiffany's - E. 57th Street and 5th Avenue
- American Girl - 75 Rockefeller Plaza
- Louis Vuitton - E. 57th Street and 5th Avenue
- David Yurman - 5 E. 57th Street
- Nordstrom - 225 W. 57th St
See what else is going on during the 2025 holiday season in New York!
