Christmas in New York, the tracker

Empire State Building

Landmark · Midtown

Empire State Building, photographed by New York Dearest

At the base of the famous building you’ll find some of the best holiday window displays New York City has to offer.

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.

Hours
Daily, typically 9am or 10am to 10pm or 11pm, hours vary by date, last entry about an hour before close
Cost
86th floor observatory from $44, 102nd floor add-on $20, plus a $5 booking fee, timed reservation required
Subway
B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W to 34 St-Herald Sq, 3 min
Address
20 W 34th St, New York, NY

Read my full guide

New York Dearest
The guide, $35

Click for the dates and my verdict

The NYC holiday tracker · Saturday, September 26

Christmas in New York,
day by day.

129 places on one map, every tree, rink, market, window and show, with this year's dates the morning they're announced.

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Season opens Oct 10 · 14 days Saks light show, Channel Gardens, December 2025
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