The Best Christmas Lights in NYC, 10 Displays Worth the Trip.

Of all the impressive lights you’re bound to see while celebrating the holidays in New York City, nothing tops the Saks 5th Avenue Light Show where synchronized lights play in tandem with classic Christmas music, dazzling children and adults alike.

To keep things interesting, Saks Fifth Avenue changes the display every year. In 2023, the department store collaborated with Dior to create the Carousel of Dreams, a unique display centered around the twelve zodiac signs. Sadly, the show was canceled in 2024, we’re hoping for better news in 2025!

Details The light show starts at 5pm and runs in 10-minute intervals until 11pm. Each show lasts 3 minutes (featuring 2-4 popular Christmas songs), followed by a five minute break.

At 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the country, reason alone to visit. But if you need an extra nudge, the zoo’s holiday show is among the best Christmas light displays in NYC. Visit during Holiday Lights to see the zoo’s beloved animals celebrated through festival handmade lanterns.

The roster is a roll call of everyone’s favorites, you’ll find lions, walruses, giraffes and penguins (to name a few). In addition to the breathtaking display of lights, there’s tons of entertainment, seasonal treats and a chance to ride the holiday train!

The interactive displays and animated light shows guarantee a great night, which is why locals consider this one of the best Christmas light displays in New York City for kids.

Visiting a botanic garden might not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking for the best Christmas lights in New York City. But skipping Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden would be a mistake. Explore in amazement as an illuminated trail takes you through impressive light installations designed by international artists.

Seasonal treats and festive music are par for the course, everyone in the family will feel the holiday spirit in no time. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the best places to see Christmas lights in New York City with kids, my five-year-old niece has a blast every time.

NYC Christmas Lights Tip Tickets sold out last year, so make reservations well in advance.

Where Dyker Heights, Brooklyn 2024 Dates. November 29 – December 30

When it comes to the best Christmas decorations in New York City, Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood takes the cake. Outlandishly decked out for the holiday season, more than 100 houses participate in the annual tradition. Homeowners spare no expense trying to outshine (pun definitely intended) their neighbors.

Wandering the neighborhood is an annual tradition for many locals, but trekking out to the neighborhood is no easy feat. If you’re interested, I wrote a quick guide on everything you need to know about seeing the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.

Home to more than 12,000 plant species from around the world, the New York Botanical Garden is a sight to behold year-round, but the holidays feel extra special. From mid-November through the end of the year, the 250-acre garden is illuminated with some of the best Christmas lights in New York City.

Billed as New York City’s largest outdoor holiday light experience, you’ll be privy to synchronized light shows and festive art installations throughout the evening.

My advice The additional admission required for the Holiday Train Show is worthwhile. The monolithic display of trains running through iconic NYC skyscrapers is a masterpiece.

Hudson Yards is a shopping mall adjacent to the infamous Vessel, a $220M honeycomb structure now closed to the public. Home to high-end shops and restaurants, the mall is worth a detour because it’s decked out with more than two million Christmas lights from floor to ceiling. The display is called Shine On, and it’s one of the most beautiful Christmas light displays in New York City.

The New York Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm Museum is an illuminated self-guided walk through the museum’s storied farm. Handmade lanterns and tunnels made from kaleidoscopic LED lights swallow up the trail and immerse you in a magical holiday experience you won’t soon forget.

The Chelsea Market is a popular food hall mixed with unique shops and restaurants. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the holidays you’ll get to see one of the most beautiful displays of Christmas lights in NYC. Whether you plan on doing some shopping or merely admiring the great decorations, you won’t be disappointed.

Fun fact The Chelsea Market is housed in the old Nabisco factory building, the birthplace of the Oreo cookie!

There are few NYC landmarks as recognizable as Radio City Music Hall, especially during the holidays when an illuminated tree takes residence above the marquee. While Radio City doesn’t go over the top with holiday lights, it’s a great place to see an iconic New York City Christmas light display. The reason? The building is heavily featured in popular Christmas movies filmed in NYC (like Home Alone 2. Lost in New York).

LED-embedded lanterns take over Brookfield Place’s atrium as part of a unique art installation called Luminaries. The breathtaking display features 650 color-changing lanterns that create one of the most mesmerizing Christmas light shows in New York City.

The best part? It’s an interactive experience that encourages kids to make a wish at a designated wishing station. When a child releases their wish the lanterns respond with a dynamic display of colors. Better still, Arts Brookfield makes a donation to charity for every wish made.