Last Updated on December 12, 2025
Red bows, twinkling lights, candy canes, and the scent of pine trees can only mean one thing: it’s Christmastime again.
There is no better place to catch the holiday spirit than in New York City. Every step takes you to yet another gift worth unwrapping.
Whether it’s the skaters in Rockefeller Center, the holiday markets in Bryant Park, the Radio City holiday show with the Rockettes, or the ringing of Salvation Army bells, there are endless holiday delights for all.
Magical Snowflake
For me, the excitement really builds in mid-November. You make your way to the intersection of 57th Street and 5th Avenue and out of the darkness appears the brightest of snowflakes. The Fifth Avenue Snowflake for Humanity suspends 30 feet above traffic. Weighing 3,300 pounds with over 16,000 twinkling crystal prisms, it was first introduced in 1984 by lighting designer Ingo Mauer, and serves as a symbol of the holiday season in New York City.
The snowflake is sponsored by businesses in the area, such as Tiffany, Bergdorf-Goodman, The Plaza Hotel, Van Cleef and Arpels, and the Stonbely Foundation. Every year, funds are raised for various humanitarian causes. Saint Jude’s Research Hospital for Children is the beneficiary of this year’s campaign.
Of course, what excites me is that the lighting of the snowflake also signals that the city’s most famous holiday windows are about to be unveiled.
Decorative Department Store Windows
Department store holiday windows are a New York City treasure, free to enjoy as you stroll the streets of Manhattan, a special gift to give yourself at Christmas.
These specially designed windows have delighted generations for over 100 years.
Macy’s Department Store
R.H. Macy of Macy’s Department Store began the tradition in 1874. Mr. Macy wanted the windows to tell a story or narrative during this joyful season, not just sell merchandise. The first holiday window created was a collection of porcelain dolls from around the world and scenes from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This year the tradition continues on 34th Street with six huge windows highlighting famous events in Macy’s history with a banner, “The Most Wonderful Stories.”
In the first window, Santa Claus is opening and closing a big, red book titled “The Most Wonderful Story.” A glimpse inside the book shows pop-ups of the era depicting 1862 when the first department store Santa came to Macy’s.
The next window pays tribute to the first Macy’s windows in 1874 with revolving buildings showing the interior and exterior along with festive decorations. The third depicts a delightful scene of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with unique balloon characters floating by, the first parade taking place in 1924.
As you follow along, a holiday window displays a tribute to the 1947 movie, “Miracle on 34th Street.” Scenes from the movie are shown on carousel reels reminding visitors of the little girl searching for the “real” Santa Claus.
The last two windows invite visitors to step up and sing (karaoke style) to Christmas favorites, such as “Jingle Bells.” Macy’s never fails to delight visitors and put everyone in the holiday spirit.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Heading back across town to 5th Avenue, you reach Saks Fifth Avenue. Even the name screams glam and glitter and the venue never disappoints. This year, the holiday light show returns along with their festive holiday windows.
The synchronized light and music event takes place every evening on the façade of the store. Eye-catching, rapid moving patterns of diamond-shaped lights move to the beat of holiday music and the music of Rihanna’s hit song, “Diamonds,” lasting about 10 minutes and creating a memorable experience.
Saks Fifth Avenue windows display mechanical scenes highlighting a New York City Christmas. One window showcases a large Christmas tree with moving ornaments. Another features holiday cookies baking inside an oven.
I continued be amazed as I passed windows depicting a theater scene with a twirling ballet dancer, a taxi loaded with holiday gifts, and a snowman with a boat full of wrapped presents floating in Central Park. There is even a New York townhouse complete with windows opening and closing to reveal holiday symbols, like an Advent calendar.
There are so many surprising details you won’t want to miss.
Saks also has windows on 49th and 50th Streets with celebratory scenes modeling high-end couture. The store even devotes one window to the history of the Radio City Rockettes celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Saks is in the heart of Fifth Avenue bordering Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, and Radio City Music Hall.
Bergdorf Goodman
Heading back uptown, don’t miss the holiday windows of Bergdorf Goodman located between 57th and 58th Street on 5th Avenue. The theme is the “Bergdorf Soiree,” a holiday party event.
Each window is designed around various holiday celebrations while presenting the fashions of Valentino, Tom Ford, and Schiaparelli with brightly colored backgrounds and objects arranged in a collage. Each collage tells a story depicting a different holiday party. One window displays an oversized, dangling pendulum with a collection of various watches nearby. Two figures dressed in their meticulously tailored holiday apparel appear to be dancing the night away waiting for the clock to strike midnight.
Another display is a tribute to a masquerade ball where figures hide behind masks. The delicate, handcrafted, intricate details add to one’s curiosity. Other window scenes include, “The Mad Hatter’s Bash” and “Game Night.” Each lively and sequin-filled vignette ties the story together around the theme.
Bergdorf-Goodman never fails to delight and amuse visitors along with modeling famous designers each year.
Other Department Store Windows
Other store’s holiday windows worth a visit include Bloomingdale’s, wrapped in Burberry, Nordstrom’s Funhouse, and of course, Tiffany, with its delicate turquoise boxes opening and closing to reveal priceless gems.
The holiday windows of New York City invite visitors of all ages to embrace the twinkling lights, marvel at the magical decorations, savor tasty treats, and make lasting memories of this most wonderful time of the year.
