[Originally posted in 2021, updated for 2025]
If you’re into the MAGIC of the holidays, save this list for your next NYC trip and discover the most instagrammable Christmas spots in New York..
Average December temperatures are 40-45° (February is generally colder), however NYC weather is always unpredictable: temperatures can easily drop by 30° in the same day!!!
Don’t forget to LAYER UP and pack warm socks, scarves, mittens, and hats. The wind always makes it chillier.
Pro tip: warm up inside shops, cafés, or subway between photo stops.
✨ Before you dive into the twinkling lights, holiday markets, and cups of hot cocoa, here are my go-to tools to plan your NYC Christmas trip effortlessly:
✈️ Flights: Kiwi / Expedia
🏨 Stays: Booking.com / Vrbo
🚇 Transport: MTA / Discover Cars
🎟️ My Favorite Passes & Activities on Viator
📶 eSIM I use it every time I travel: Airalo / Yesim
🧳 All My Packing Hacks on Amazon
📸 Creator Must-Haves on Amazon
1. HUDSON YARDS SHINE BRIGHT – through early Jan
With over 2 Million twinkling lights, and a giant illuminated hot air balloon, this is one of my favorite holiday displays in NYC.
📍Between 30th & 33rd Streets and 11th & 12th Avenues
2. ROCKEFELLER CENTER TREE – until early 2026
If you miss the tree lightning ceremony, don’t worry: the tree gets lit every day at 6am!
Pro Tip: watch the show on NBC, then head to Rockefeller Plaza the next morning at 6 AM to capture the tree lighting in peace 😉
📍Between 48th & 51st Streets and 5th & 6th Avenues
🕖 Lit daily 6AM-midnight. On Christmas Day it stays lit 24 hours, and on New Year’s Eve until 9 PM.
3. FIFTH AVE HOLIDAY DECORATION – Saks Light Show Is Back!
Walk along Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street all the way up to the Plaza Hotel (59th Street) and soak in the most glamorous holiday storefronts. Don’t miss Cartier, Dior, Louis Vuitton, and now the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue holiday light show, officially returning this season after last year’s pause 🎉
📍 Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave at 50th St
🕖 Saks Light Show: plays every evening from late November through early January, typically every 10 minutes once the sun sets.
Pro tip: Go right at blue hour (just after sunset) and you’ll catch the show with a dreamy sky behind the lights, or go very late at night for a less crowded show.
📍Cartier, 653 5th Ave at E52nd St
📍Dior, 765 Fifth Ave at E57th St
📍Swarovski on Fifth, 680 5th Ave
📍Louis Vuitton, 1E 57th St at Fifth Ave
Note: after nearly 20 years, the Saks Fifth Avenue light show has been cancelled last year, as the store shifted focus to its fashion windows. Fifth Ave has not been the same without it!
4. THE PENINSULA HOTEL
Pro tip: you don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy the glamorous holiday décor, just walk through the lobby for a festive photo op (free and open to everyone).
Luca and I had a dreamy staycation at the Peninsula Hotel and I’m still daydreaming!!!!
Step inside for the most luxurious afternoon tea, or head to the Swiss Alps-inspired Chalet de Ning Rooftop Bar and Terrace for an enchanted holiday evening.
📍The Peninsula New York, 700 5th Ave at W55th St
5. LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE
The courtyard at Lotte New York Palace is pure Christmas magic. The 30-foot tree shines with thousands of lights and ornaments, framed by the historic Villard Houses and the hotel’s grand architecture!
Pro tip: Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, the courtyard and lobby are free to enter and perfect for holiday photos. Fans of Gossip Girl will instantly recognize this spot as one of the show’s most iconic backdrops.
📍700 Fifth Ave, at E55th St
6. THE PLAZA
Don’t miss the iconic Plaza Hotel during the holidays. Step inside its elegant hall, browse the holiday gift shop, and if you’re lucky, you might even meet Santa 🎅🏻.
📍The Plaza, 768 5th Ave, at W59th St
7. UPPER EAST SIDE
I love zigzagging in the Upper East Side to admire the neighborhood’s gorgeous houses dressed in whimsical holiday décor. My favorites:
📍E76th street between 5th and Madison Aves
📍E64th St between Fifth and Madison Aves
📍E61st St between Third and Second Aves
8. BRYANT PARK WINTER VILLAGE
There’s nothing like Bryant Park at Christmas: the Holiday Market, Ice Skating Rink and marvelous igloos create the perfect festive vibe.
Pro Tip: Stroll through the New York Public Library next door for a quiet holiday escape.
📍Bryant Park, between 6th and 5th Aves and W42th and W40th Sts
9. MACY’S HERALD SQUARE
Besides its extraordinary holiday windows display, the 8th floor of Macy’s transforms into a full winter wonderland, complete with Santa himself!!!
The experience is free and you’ll need to reserve in advance to meet him.
📍Macy’s, 151 W34th St, at Broadway and 6th Ave (Herald Square)
10. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK & THE WEST VILLAGE
Washington Square Park glows with one of NYC’s most elegant outdoor Christmas trees, framed by the arch and city skyline.
📍Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, Between University Place and MacDougal St, and Washington Square N and Washington Square S.
Pro tip: After the park, stroll through the West Village to admire charming brownstones with chic holiday décor!
📍Grove Court, 10 Grove St, between Bleecker St & 7th Ave
11. CHELSEA MARKET
Browsing the shops inside the Chelsea Market is always a treat, and during the holidays, it turns into pure magic with festive lights and cozy food stalls.
📍Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave at W15th St.
12. WESTFIELD and BROOKFIELD PLACE – till Jan 2
At the Oculus, Westfield WTC hosts a whimsical holiday pop-up village with cute snowmen and twinkling lights.
📍Westfield WTC, 185 Greenwich St, between Fulton and Day Sts.
Pro tip: Walk through Calatrava’s marble hallway to reach Brookfield Place, where the Winter Garden shines with lights, a giant tree, ice skating overlooking the Hudson, and even a Santa meet-and-greet.
📍Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St at West St.
13. NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CHRISTMAS TREE
Did you know this tradition dates back to 1923? The tree in front of the NYSE is historic and one of the city’s most striking holiday backdrops.
📍Wall Street & Broad Street
Pro Tip: Continue to Stone Street for its outdoor winter igloos, especially magical when it snows!
14. DYKER HEIGHTS
There’s no other place like Dyker Heights for over-the-top holiday magic. Since 2010, I’ve hosted free VivereNewYork meet-ups here – it’s become a tradition! Read all my Dyker Heights tips here and watch this reel.
Here are my favorite decorated blocks:
1️⃣ 10th Ave between 83rd & 84th Sts
2️⃣ 84th St between 11th & 12th Aves
3️⃣ 82nd St between 12th & 13th Aves
4️⃣ 14th Ave between 71st & 72nd Sts
5️⃣ 1023 83rd St between 10th & 11th Aves
Pro Tips for Extra Holiday Spirit
Catch a Broadway or holiday show after your Christmas in NYC adventure. Favorites include
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