5 Best Holiday Windows in NYC You Need to Visit This Christmas

It’s no secret that New York goes all out for the holiday season. The months leading up to Christmas are made extra cheery with displays, lights, and celebrations – it truly is the most magical time to visit the city!

One of the top attractions in New York during the Christmas season is seeing the department store windows. It’s tradition for stores to decorate their shop windows for the season and unveil the displays shortly after Thanksgiving. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this is an activity you don’t want to miss. Keep reading to discover the 5 best holiday windows in NYC.

But first, let’s answer some common questions:

When Can I See the Christmas Window Displays in New York?

It depends from store to store, but most will reveal their holiday windows in NYC right after Thanksgiving and display them until the New Year.

Where Are the Christmas Windows?

While most stores throughout the city will have some type of Christmas decor, the most popular are the department stores are mostly in Midtown.

Is It Busy?

Yes. New York is generally very busy during the Christmas season and the holiday windows are one of the most visited spots. Things quiet down late at night so if you want to see the windows with fewer crowds, try going later at night (you can go in the morning too but will probably miss out on the effects of the lights).

Where’s the Best Hot Chocolate?

We love to make a night of seeing the shop windows, and a cup of hot chocolate makes it extra cozy. For some of the best hot chocolate near the stops on our list, we’d recommend Angelina, Ralph’s Coffee (check out the truck in Rockefeller Center), MarieBelle, and Shake Shack – trust us!).

Alright, let’s get started!

1. Macy’s

Macy’s in Herald Square is the largest department store in the United States and the first to start the tradition of Christmas displays in 1874! There are over a dozen windows, and there’s always an exciting display. In 2020, all of the windows were dedicated to thanking essential works. In 2021, the windows told the story of a reindeer Tiptoe and the magic that happened when he believed.

The holiday cheer doesn’t end at the windows, the entire store is decorated for Christmas with the 9th floor transforming into Holiday Lane, a Christmas shop where you can find ornaments and other New York and Christmas-themed gifts and Santa’s Village, which is a great attraction for kids.

2. Bergdorf Goodman

This is where fashion meets Christmas. The masterminds behind Bergdorf Goodman’s holiday windows show off luxury brands and couture while leaning into the bright and cheery Christmas spirit. The displays are modern and innovative. It’s a must-see spot!

3. Bloomingdale’s

Add Bloomingdale’s flagship store on 59th Street to your list. The 2021 theme, “Give Happy,” included a burst of color in each of the six windows. These displays often have interactive elements or games too.

4. Saks

Yes, Saks Fifth Avenue’s windows are filled with unique Christmas displays but the sight to see is the light show across the building’s facade. The 10-story building is covered with 700,000 lights and every 10 minutes, a twinkling show is played with original music.

5. Cartier

Don’t miss the Cartier store on 5th Avenue. Each year, the store takes advantage of its prime corner location and covers the store in gold lights and a red bow making it look like a gift. It’s classic and chic and probably the largest present you’ll ever see.

Honorable Mentions

It’s wrong to write this post and not mention the shopping centers! They’re not technically holiday windows in NYC per say, but they put on displays that are equally magnificent and worth seeing.

Head to Hudson Yards to see the floating gold hot air balloons and Christmas trees.
Check out Columbus Circle for the large illuminating stars hung from the ceiling (there’s also a light show synchronized to music).
Brookfield Place has a darling Christmas village and a beautiful display of colorful lanterns.