It's on 8 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- Costfree
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
Come December the luxury department stores along Fifth Avenue unveil impressive window displays and turn the popular shopping corridor into a runway of holiday spirit. Meticulously crafted, the displays take up to a year to design.
My adviceMost people rush through here. Take your time. It’s worth it.
The friendly competition gives spectators a chance to enjoy one of New York’s top Christmas activities for free. Themes vary by year, but they’re always festive and tailored around winter wonderland vibes.
Drawing millions of visitors during the holidays, this undoubtedly one of the most popular free things to do in New York City at Christmas, so brace for crowds.
Christmas in New York isn’t just a holiday, it’s a season-long love letter from the city to everyone walking its streets.
Every December the luxury department stores along Fifth Avenue unveil impressive window displays and turn the popular shopping corridor into a runway of holiday spirit. Meticulously crafted, the displays take up to a year to design (Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue have the prettiest displays in my opinion).
Themes vary by year, but they’re always festive and tailored around winter wonderland vibes. Drawing millions of visitors during the holidays, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in New York City at Christmas, so brace for crowds.
The window displays along Fifth Avenue are the holiday tradition I most look forward to! The bold and colorful over-the-top themes vary by year, with the only constant being their ability to impress and inspire kids and adults alike. My daughter loves the lights and motion, Bergdorf Goodman has the best displays of all.
Parent tip: Don’t worry if your stroller barely fits on the sidewalk, it’s part of the experience. Saks often has a light show on the building’s facade, which plays every 10 minutes and is 100% worth a detour. For extra fun, ask your kids to pick their favorite window and explain why, it buys you at least 15 minutes of entertainment.
Come December the luxury department stores along Fifth Avenue unveil impressive window displays and turn the popular shopping corridor into a runway of holiday spirit. Meticulously crafted, the displays take up to a year to design.
The friendly competition gives spectators a chance to enjoy some of the best New York Christmas decorations for free. Themes vary by year, but they’re always festive and tailored around winter wonderland vibes.
Drawing millions of visitors during the holidays, this undoubtedly one of the most popular things to do in New York City at Christmas, so brace for crowds.
Fifth Avenue is the most popular shopping area in NYC and one of the most expensive in the world. It’s always chock-full of people, but especially during December in New York, when the shopping district is marked by luxury brands competing with each other using stunning window displays.
Lucky us! The competition lets us enjoy some of the best Christmas decorations in NYC. Some stores and hotels do it better than others, so those short on time should visit Cartier, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and the Peninsula Hotel (whose lobby is open to the public).
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.
Come December the luxury department stores along Fifth Avenue unveil impressive window displays and turn the popular shopping corridor into a runway of holiday spirit. Meticulously crafted, the displays take up to a year to design.
My adviceMost people rush through here. Take your time. It’s worth it.
Drawing millions of visitors during the holidays, this undoubtedly one of the most popular Rockefeller Center Christmas activities, so brace for crowds.
If you’re visiting NYC for Thanksgiving with the hopes of experiencing famous holiday traditions, make a beeline for the breathtaking window displays on Fifth Avenue. The most popular shopping area in New York City, Fifth Avenue is marked by luxury brands vying for attention by way of stunning window displays. I do not use the term luxury lightly. Fifth Avenue is considered the most expensive shopping street in the world.