This post lists the best holiday window displays in NYC.
While the bedazzling Christmas trees of New York City may be the first stop on your holiday tour, the runner-ups are the decked-out window displays in the city’s department stores.
Below is a list of the best window displays that will delight you this holiday season, including the 5th Avenue Christmas windows.
If you would like to focus more on the windows and less on navigating the streets to get to them, consider joining our New York Holiday Lights Tour.
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
Note: 2024 dates are yet to be announced.
Bergdorf’s dazzles once again! Last year’s theme is “Isn’t It Brilliant”.
Jam-packed with mirrors, chrome, neon, crystals, and other reflective surfaces, this year’s windows and the stories they tell are fantastic!
If you see only one window display this year, Bergdorf’s is it!
Saks 5th Ave. - Fifth Avenue at 50th Street
This century-old department store goes above and beyond mere window displays.
In addition to its whimsical windows, the ten-story building is draped in 700,000 LED lights.
After dark, a light show synchronized to music takes place every ten minutes. Definitely, a sight not to miss this holiday!
2024 dates are yet to be announced. Last year the light show unveiled on November 20, at 7 pm.
Macy’s - West 34th Street at 6th Ave.
Last year, the Macy’s Holiday Windows theme was "Give Love" which celebrates the joy and magic of Friendship.
The windows unveiled on November 16, and stay decorated until January 1. 2024 dates will be announced later this year.
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.
FAO Schwarz - 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!
Cartier's - 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?
The windows at Cartier's are magnificent year-round.
But come the holiday season, the building itself becomes the best-wrapped gift in town!
Empire State Building - 34th Street at Fifth Avenue
You may have come for the views above, but the views at street level are pretty special this time of year!
This year's theme celebrates the 20th anniversary of 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.
Both the 86th-floor Observatory and the building’s Fifth Avenue lobby will be decked out in themed decor.
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 - 1000 Third Avenue at 59th St.
2024 dates will be announced later. Last year, Bloomie's Holiday Windows unveiled on November 16.
Last year's theme, “Best Holiday Ever”, was inspired by Wonka, a new interpretation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
If you are over at Bloomie’s why not take a quick ride on the nearby Roosevelt Island Tram for amazing 360-degree views of NYC?
You might also enjoy exploring the Upper East Side neighborhood.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Tiffany's - 57th Street and 5th Avenue
- American Girl - 75 Rockefeller Plaza
- Louis Vuitton - 57th Street and 5th Avenue
