On brand with the city’s reputation as a holiday destination, the famous Christmas window displays in New York City are known the world over. Every year like clockwork, luxury department stores entice passers-by with jaw-dropping decorations and elaborately-adorned facades. As a longtime local, here’s a quick roundup of the best window displays in NYC during the holidays.
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New York City Holiday Window Displays
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Best Christmas Window Displays in NYC (Table of Contents)
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Bergdorf Goodman
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 754 5th Ave, New York
The Christmas decor at Bergdorf Goodman is unmatched. Often considered the most extravagant holiday window displays in New York City, these take up to a year to design.
The stakes are high because Bergdorf spoils locals with stunning window displays year-round, so of course the pressure amplifies during the Christmas season. Partnering with premier designers, each window tells a unique Christmas tale through stunning artistry and painstaking detail.
The store’s decorated windows are such a hot commodity that Bergdorf Goodman published a book highlighting the most popular displays over the years.
Good to know — I wrote an in-depth newsletter about Bergdorf Goodman’s famous windows, you can read more here.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 611 5th Ave, New York
During the holidays, Saks Fifth Avenue’s signature opulence is exhibited street-side with an elaborate display of lights. The facade of the building becomes a canvas for the city’s most beloved holiday light show.
Watch in amazement as synchronized lights play in tandem with classic Christmas music, it’s an iconic experience locals look forward to as much as tourists. So much so, I added it to my list of 20 Non-Negotiable Christmas Activities in New York City.
Incapable of playing second fiddle, the department stores’ window decor is equally impressive. The theme changes every year but intricately designed scenes are always guaranteed. Months of effort go into making these some of the best window displays in New York City, you can’t afford to miss them.
Worth the drive, worth the wait, worth every penny.
Macy’s Herald Square
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 151 W 34th St, New York
Macy’s Herald Square flagship is the largest department store in the world, so is it any surprise it’s decked out with some of the most extravagant holiday window displays in NYC? Don’t just take my word for it, Macy’s window displays attract 10,000 visitors daily.
The much-anticipated displays are unveiled the Thursday before Thanksgiving, debuting just in time for Macy’s famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. The store highlights a different theme every year, but there’s usually one common thread. Tiptoe the Reindeer (the store’s beloved mascot) is tied into the adventure.
Bloomingdale’s
Neighborhood. Upper East Side
Address. 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, New York
Humorous and playful, Bloomingdale’s whimsical window displays typically feature animated objects and interactive elements to the delight of onlookers. The store effortlessly weaves imaginative motifs into sophisticated designs, imbuing the world of luxury with the infectious holiday spirit.
Last year’s theme was inspired by the magic of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Outlandish colors covered every square inch of the sparkly displays full of oversized candies and strutting mannequins.
I’m curious to see what 2024 will bring, but one thing is certain. these are destined to be some of the best window displays in New York City during Christmas.
Local tip. A little secret I picked up from a local. the back patio is where the magic happens. Skip the main room.
Cartier
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 653 5th Ave, New York
In 2023, Cartier decided to shake things up when the store traded its famous Christmas-wrapped decor for an LED display. Perhaps a nod to the future, the change divided locals. Some loved the old design, while others praised the luxury jewelry store for keeping things fresh.
Regardless of the side you land on, there’s no denying that Cartier is one of the most beautiful Christmas-decorated stores in New York City. But who could expect anything less from a brand built on opulence? Simply walking past the storefront serves as a reminder that the holidays in NYC are a joy to experience firsthand.
The Empire State Building
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 20 W 34th St., New York
Skip the tourist version and do it like a local. here’s how.
Most famous for housing one of the best observation deck decks in NYC, the Empire State Building attracts crowds for a completely different reason during the holiday season. At the base of the famous building you’ll find some of the best holiday window displays New York City has to offer.
Artfully decorated, themes usually stick with the building’s famous status and showcase famous landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards is a massive mall full of shops and restaurants. Although the mall doesn’t necessarily have traditional window displays like the department stores along Fifth Avenue, the holiday decorations are still worth a detour. Decked out with over two million Christmas lights, the mall rivals the best holiday window displays in NYC.
I never get tired of this view.
American Girl
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.
The American Girl store unveils some of the prettiest holiday window displays in New York City for kids. Centered around the beloved dolls enjoying the holidays through winter sports and cozy traditions, the store spares no expense to inspire children.
Pop into the store for a souvenir your child will cherish for years to come. If it’s important to you, the Midtown flagship sells limited edition winter dolls during the holiday season.
Tiffany & Co.
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 610 5th Ave, New York
A symbol of luxury for nearly 200 years, Tiffany’s knack for advertising is nothing short of legendary, and the holiday decor is no exception.
Famous for having the dreamiest window displays in New York City during the holidays, the store is tailored to romantics of every stripe. Blinding diamonds seamlessly blend into idyllic scenes that can easily keep you entertained for a while.
Good to know — Tiffany & Co. is a must-see for anyone who enjoys Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The window displays at the Fifth Avenue flagship drew Holly Golightly into the store, and they might have the same effect on you.
Louis Vuitton
Neighborhood. Midtown
Address. 1 E 57th St, New York
Louis Vuitton’s Christmas window displays in NYC are impressive to say the least. Colorful and inviting, the pop of color is a welcome contrast to the gray buildings of Midtown. For those who love designer clothes, snapping a photo in front of the Louis Vuitton holiday window displays in New York City is in order.
New York City Holiday Window Display History
Macy’s is credited for being the first department store to showcase window displays in New York City during the early 1870s. Over time, the displays began advertising brands sold in-store and other department stores started following suit shortly thereafter.
With more department stores setting up window displays, friendly rivalry was bound to ensue. Stores began investing serious money into designing the best window displays in NYC. Robotic figures, bright lights and vibrant colors have all become part of the million-dollar industry.
Some department stores (like Macy’s) claim to spend nearly a year preparing for the holiday season. All this to say, the elaborate holiday window displays in New York City have turned into multimillion-dollar businesses. The real winners though are the lucky onlookers who don’t need to spend a dime to see the intricate displays.
Best Window Displays in New York City (Post Summary)
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Macy’s Herald Square
- Bergdorf Goodman’s
- American Girl
- Bloomingdales
- Cartier
- Hudson Yards
- Tiffany & Co.
- Empire State Building
- Louis Vuitton
Frequently Asked Questions. New York City Holiday Window Decorations
The Christmas window displays in NYC are located primarily along famous shopping destinations such as Fifth Avenue, featuring renowned stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and other storefronts known for their festive and enchanting decorations.
Christmas displays in NYC typically start being unveiled in mid to late November and remain up until early January, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the festive decorations throughout the holiday season.
The Macy’s Christmas windows are located along 34th Street in Midtown, Manhattan.
Yes, New York City features enchanting Christmas windows displayed by various famous stores, creating a festive and magical atmosphere during the holiday season.
How to See the Best Window Displays in NYC
Midtown Manhattan, specifically Fifth Avenue, has the lion’s share of epic holiday window decorations in New York City. If you’re limited on time, I suggest starting at Bergdorf Goodman and heading south down Fifth Avenue. You’ll come across a lot of holiday decorations along the route, including the beloved Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
Map of Coolest Holidays Decorated Store Windows in NYC
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- 10 Festive Things to Do at the Rockefeller Center during Christmas
- Visiting the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide
- New York Christmas Decorations. Where to Find Festive Decor in NYC
- The Complete Guide to Macy’s Santaland (How to Keep Your Sanity)
And there you have it, a quick roundup of the best window displays in New York City during Christmas. Cheers!
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Hi, you have a great site. I’m planning a trip with my 23 and 21 year old. I was thinking Nov 27- 30 so that we can see the parade but see that the Rockefeller tree will not be lit until the next week. Do you think we should stick with Nov 27-30 or should we wait until the next week? Will all of the window displays be set up Nov 27-30? Also, do you recommend any Christmas movie tours?
Hi Jennyfer,
I think your trip will be a blast either of those weeks! I think the window displays will be up the week of Thanksgiving but won’t be able to confirm until closer to that time. If you absolutely want to see the Rockefeller Tree, definitely plan your trip the week of December 4th!
Cheers,
Antonina
Hi, thanks for the information. I have a trip planned 11/16-11/19. Will any of the displays be up by then?
Thanks,
Tracie
Hi Tracie,
Most decorations go up after Thanksgiving Day, sadly I don’t think many of the displays will be up during your trip. However, Bryant Park Winter Village should be a go!
Hi Antonina,
We want to see most of the Christmas displays with my 11 year old son. However, we are able to travel on January 2nd to the 7th. Are lights typically up til then?
Thanks!!
Hi Maritza, I don’t know exactly when the Christmas displays start coming down, but I think most stay up through the first week of January. Happy holidays to you and your family!