Christmas in New York is a marvelous time of year. The festiveness of the city is enough to bring a smile to even the biggest grinches face!! A Christmas tree stand dots every corner. The ringing of bells by all the Santas fill the air. The Christmas Markets of New York open up throughout the city. And pretty much every department store has a New York City light show or holiday themed windows.
Top Christmas Trees
One of the things that struck me the first time I spent Christmas in New York was how many trees the city has. Right after Thanksgiving a christmas tree stand pops up on seemingly every corner filling the sidewalks with the smell of Christmas. And every big building has a beautifully decorated tree either in the lobby or outside. With so many trees to see in NYC it’s hard to pick a favorite but here are 4 of my favorite New York City Christmas Trees.
The Lotte Palace Hotel
Of all the trees in New York, I think the Lotte Palace Christmas Tree is the prettiest. The setting, in the courtyard of the Lotte Palace Hotel on Madison Avenue is fairytale-like. And the tree itself is always beautifully decorated.
It’s also a truly special location for me. Growing up my parents always brought me and my sister to New York to spend Thanksgiving in the city and some of my favorite memories were staying at the Lotte Palace and then getting to pick out a toy from FAO Schwartz a few blocks away.
Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is definitely the most famous Christmas Tree in New York City and is probably the most famous in the world!! Every year they have a huge unveiling and most years the lighting of the tree is actually on TV!!
The Rockefeller Tree is huge and beautifully decorated but part of it’s charm is it’s location. It’s in the middle of Rockefeller Center, surrounded by skyscrapers and has a skating rink right at the base where you can rent skates and glide
New York Stock Exchange
Right in front of the New York Stock Exchange is a beautifully lit Christmas tree. Like the Rockefeller Center Tree, the lighting of this tree is an event. This tree makes the list because it’s in the perfect place between the NYSE and Federal Hall.
Photo Tip: If you want to get a great shot of this tree and the New York Stock Exchange’s dramatic façade, climb up the steps of Federal Hall for my favorite perspective!!
Iconic New York Places
NYC is full of places that anyone from around the globe can recognize; from the Empire State Building to Central Park to the Statue of Liberty. Many of NYC’s most famous places and landmarks do something extra special for the holidays so here are some of my favorite New York City landmarks to visit around the holidays.
Radio City Music Hall
Most people know Radio City Music Hall as home to the holiday staple the Rockettes. If you’re visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree walk around the corner to see Radio City Music Hall since it’s truly a NYC institution.
Photo Tip: Directly across the street from Radio City are a handful of giant red Christmas Tree ornaments. I love taking holiday photos here to capture how festive the city gets in December.
5th Avenue Ornaments
All over the city neighborhood organizations find creative ways to decorate their area for Christmas in New York. One of my favorites is the stretch of 5th avenue from 50th Street to 59th Street. Corners here are filled with giant toys that culminate in a toy chest at the base of Central Park on 59th Street.
The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel is a New York institution. It’s featured in a TON of New York Christmas movies and is one of the most recognizable hotels in the world. In front of the Plaza, the 5th Avenue fountain is filled with Christmas lights and beautiful ornaments. It’s definitely worth checking out and then you can pop into the Plaza Food Court for a hot chocolate of apple cider!!
Windows, Shopping & Restaurants
For as long as I can remember I’ve loved looking at department store’s Christmas windows. New York’s stores have some of the best holiday windows in the whole world!! On top of the windows, a lot of the larger stores do something extra special to entertain us around the holidays.
Saks Holiday Light Show
Every year right around Thanksgiving, Saks debuts a new light show that shows off their flagship store on Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th streets. I love watching the lightshow from the sidewalk in front of Rockefeller Center where you can see the whole scale of Saks. This epic New York City light show is only about 5 minutes long and starts around dusk and goes every 10 minutes until almost midnight. While you’re there check out the holiday windows at Saks too!!
Macy's Herald Square
I usually avoid Herald Square because it’s a super touristy area and usually packed. Around the holidays though, it’s totally worth visiting to see the windows and the legendary “Believe” sign on 34th Street. I think it’s really inspiring and always gets me into the Christmas spirit!
The Cartier Store
The Cartier Store is nestled right next to Saks and Rockefeller center and what makes it so special is how it’s wrapped in a giant lighted red bow. It’s simply beautiful and is definitely one of my favorite holiday decorations in all of New York City.
Lillie's Victorian
This adorable pub has one of my favorite christmas windows. They take so much pride in getting all the details right and it totally pays off. One of the photos I took here this year is my favorite photo from the 2020 Christmas season. Lillie’s is on 17th Street between Union Square West and 5th Avenue.
