My favorite Christmas photo spots in New York, 2026.

Hudson Yards is a massive mall adjacent to the monolithic art display known as the Vessel. The mall features tons of high-end shops and restaurants. Granted it’s fun to explore any time of year, but during the holiday season it is especially worth a visit.

This is thanks to the fact that Hudson Yards uses over two million Christmas lights when decorating for the occasion.

The holiday celebration at Hudson Yards Mall is called Shine On. It’s a unique light and music installation that spans the holiday season.

Since this is one of the best NYC Christmas photo spots, the photo-taking opportunities are nothing short of epic. The New York Christmas lights are breathtaking and the perfect backdrop for selfies.

Few Christmas photo spots in NYC are as instantly recognizable as Radio City Music Hall. Its name is illuminated and a towering Christmas tree above the marquee makes it a must-see during the holiday season. Visiting Radio City Music Hall is a bucket-list item for most when in the Big Apple for the holidays, so anticipate large crowds.

The beauty of the illuminating lights is that they are visible whether you’re directly in front of the building or across the street, making it easy to find a spot for an epic photo. Don’t forget to visit the giant ornaments across from Radio City Music Hall, another famous NYC Christmas photo spot, and capture some memorable moments there as well.

One of the most iconic spots for NYC Christmas photos is Rockefeller Center, especially during the holiday season.

Each year, a new tree is carefully chosen, with an impressive requirement: it must stand at least 75 feet tall. Adorned with over 50,000 lights and crowned with a breathtakingly bright Swarovski star, this Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is truly unforgettable.

My suggestion is to plan your visit as early as possible, preferably in the morning. Given its status as one of the most popular NYC Christmas photo locations, the crowds can be overwhelming. On the bright side, the tree is illuminated at 6 AM, ensuring you can still enjoy its dazzling lights.

The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park stands out as one of the best NYC Christmas photo spots, thanks to its diverse backgrounds. In winter, the park undergoes a charming transformation into a European-style Christmas market featuring 100 vendors, all surrounding a magical ice skating rink tucked in the shadow of the Empire State Building. Capture a photo of yourself gracefully ice skating with the cityscape as a backdrop, or take a casual shopping snapshot at the charming shops that adorn the scene.

Further Reading: Do you have more time on your hands? Check out 10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth the Visit!).

Cartier on Fifth Avenue draws locals and tourists alike thanks to their elegant display of holiday cheer. It’s not surprising that one of the most high-end jewelry brands is also one of the best NYC Christmas photo spots.

Further Reading: Stroll down Fifth Avenue and check out 10 WONDERFUL Window Displays in New York City (You Can’t Help But Love).

Who would have guessed that the New York Stock Exchange would make our list of NYC Christmas photo spots, alas, here we are! Now I know what you’re thinking, isn’t Wall Street gray, dull, and everything you want to avoid when taking photos?

While technically yes all of that is true, the New York Stock Exchange hosts one of the best Christmas trees in NYC, making the usually gray financial distract burst with color. Full of colorful lights and bright baubles, the NYSE holds its own when searching for the best NYC Christmas photo spots.

Any Gossip Girl fans in the house? If so, then this next spot might look familiar to you. In the show, this is where Chuck Bass and the Van Der Woodsen live in the first few seasons. To everyone else, this is one of the best NYC Christmas photo spots.

Lotte New York Palace is a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan and every year flocks of folks go out of their way to swing by for pictures. The regal tree stands brightly in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by twinkling lights wrapped around the nearby shrubbery.

Visitors are allowed in the courtyard, so make sure to have plenty of storage on your camera while you check out one of the best NYC Christmas photo spots.

The shopping areas in New York City are endless which only means that the photo-ops are boundless as well. Not to mention the decorations that follow are beyond exceptional. So many delightful stores and small shops make it their personal mission to stop folks in their tracks and force them to slow down and linger, gawking at the window displays.

Since shopping in New York City is such a popular activity anyways, might as well hit two birds with one stone and treat yourself to a NYC Christmas photoshoot while you’re doing your seasonal retail therapy.

One of the best (and most accessible) NYC Christmas picture spots is likely right under your nose! New Yorkers take decorating for the holidays very seriously, and we just so happen to reap the benefits. Charming neighborhoods full of decorated stoops make the dreamiest backdrop for a photo.

Stroll the neighborhoods in your coziest outfit (with a hot chocolate in hand, of course) and snap some pictures for Instagram. All while dreaming about one day owning a brownstone as pretty as the one you’re taking the photo in front of.

My favorite neighborhoods for Christmas decor are the Upper East Side and the West Village.

Zuccotti Park is made up of 54 Honey Locusts, all of which get strung with twinkling lights and a gorgeous Christmas tree. The decorations may be simple, but the lighting here is magical making this one of the best NYC Christmas photo spots. Grab a cup of cocoa wander between the lit trees and take a picture for Instagram while you walk through enchanted lights.

Further Reading: Do you love Christmas trees? Us too! Check out Captivating Christmas Trees in NYC and Where to Find Them