[Originally posted in 2021, and updated to 2024]If you’re into the MAGIC of the holidays, save this list for your next NYC trip and check out all the most instagrammable places.
Average temperatures in December are 40-45° (in February it’s generally colder), however the weather is always unpredictable: temperatures can easily drop of 30° the same day!!!
Don’t forget to LAYER UP and bring warm socks, scarfs, mittens, and hats… the wind always makes it chillier.
Pro tip: you can always warm up inside shops, cafes, and subway.
1. HUDSON YARDS SHINE BRIGHT – through early Jan
With over 2 Million twinkling lights, and its illuminated hot air balloon, it’s probably my favorite NYC holiday display!
📍Between 30th and 33rd Streets and 11th and 12th Avenues
2. ROCKEFELLER CENTER TREE – till early 2025
If you miss the tree lightning ceremony, don’t worry: the tree gets lit every day at 6am!
Pro Tip: I usually watch the show on tv (it’s streamed on NBC) and I go to the Rockefeller Plaza to capture the daily 6am tree lightning afterwards 😉
📍Between 48th and 51st Sts and 5th and 6th Aves
🕖 Lit daily from 6am to midnight. On Christmas Day it will be lit for 24 hours, and on NYE it will be lit from 6am to 9pm.
3. Fifth Avenue Decorations
Enjoy Fifth Avenue Decorations from 42nd Street all the way up to the Plaza Hotel (59th Street) and make sure not to miss Cartier, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.
📍Cartier, 653 5th Ave, at E52nd St
📍Dior, 765 Fifth Ave, at E57th St
📍Louis Vuitton, 1E 57th St, at 5th Ave
Unfortunately, nearly 20 years after their debut, SAKS FIFTH AVE LIGHT SHOW has been cancelled for this year as the department store is focusing on its Windows display and Fashion… we’ll miss it!!! Fifth Ave won’t be the same.
📍611 5th Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets – CANCELLED FOR 2024
4. THE PENINSULA HOTEL
Luca and I had a dreamy staycation at the Peninsula Hotel and I’m still daydreaming (scroll to see all pics I posted on IG)!!!!
Pro Tip: you don’t need to stay over night to enjoy its glamorous holiday decor: you can simply walk through the hall for a photo op – free and open to everyone.
You can also experience the most luxurious afternoon tea or spend an evening at its two Swiss Alps-inspired enchanted and chic outdoor terraces at Chalet de Ning Rooftop Bar and Terrace.
📍The Peninsula New York, 700 5th Ave, at W55th St
5. LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE
The Hotel is going under an ongoing restoration, and even if the outdoor space is covered by scaffolding, its courtyard and its hall are so elegant and chic! You will want to check it out… especially if you’re a Gossip Girl’s lover!
📍700 Fifth Ave, at E55th St
6. THE PLAZA
Make sure to stop by the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York and check out its elegant hall and holiday gift shop… you might also meet and greet Santa!!! 🎅🏻
📍The Plaza, 768 5th Ave, at W59th St
7. UPPER EAST SIDE
I love zigzagging in the Upper East Side to admire its gorgeous houses and their whimsical decor!!! Here’s my Christmas favorites:
📍E76th street between 5th and Madison Aves
📍E64th St between Fifth and Madison Aves
📍E61st St between Third and Second Aves
8. THE MARK HOTEL – This was on display only in 2022… I’ll keep you posted if they’ll do it again!
Make sure not to miss this extraordinary gingerbread display created in collaboration with Swarovski.
Pro Tip: order a delicious hot chocolate ($6) with handmade marshmallows!!!
📍25 E 77th St, at Madison Ave
9. BRYANT PARK
Nothing like the Holiday Market, the Ice Skating Rink and marvelous igloos at Bryant Park!!!
Pro Tip: plan some time to stroll at the New York Public Library
📍Bryant Park, between 6th and 5th Aves and W42th and W40th Sts
10. MACY’S
Besides its extraordinary windows display, Macy’s 8th floor always turns into a winter wonderland where you can even take a picture with Santa Claus himself!
The experience is free and you need to reserve your spot in advance to meet Santa.
📍Macy’s, 151 W34th St, at Broadway and 6th Ave – Herald Square
11. WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK and the WEST VILLAGE
One of the most elegant and magnificent outdoor trees of New York, not to be missed!
📍Washington Square Park, between University Place and MacDougal St, and Washington Square N and Washington Square S.
Pro tip: stroll in the West Village to admire some of the most outstanding brownstones of the City and their chic decor!
📍Grove Court, 10 Grove St, between Bleecker St and 7th Ave
12. CHELSEA MARKET
Browsing all shops inside the Chelsea Market is always a good idea, and you definitely don’t want to miss its magic during the Holidays!
📍Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave, at W15th St.
13. WESTFIELD and BROOKFIELD PLACE – till Jan 2
Westfield WTC’s at the Oculus, has a whimsical pop-up holiday market featuring a little winter village and super cute snowmen.
📍Westfield WTC, 185 Greenwich St, between Fulton and Day Sts.
Make sure to walk in the Calatrava’s hallway made of Carrara Marble till Brookfield Place to capture the Winter Garden’s holiday lights, and Christmas Tree. You can also meet with Santa and ice skate overlooking the Hudson.
📍Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St, at West St.
14. NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CHRISTMAS TREE
Did you know that the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree in front of the New York Stock Exchange dates back to 1923? Another reason not to miss it!
📍At the intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street.
Pro Tip: walk till Stone Street and enjoy its winter igloos, even more magical when it snows!!!
15. DYKER HEIGHTS
No other place like Dyker Heights, Brooklyn!!! It’s the most over the top Christmas extravaganza ever! I’ve been organizing free and open to all VivereNewYork meet ups since 2010 and you can find all my Dyker Heights tips here and watch this reel to get a better sense of what I’m talking about
Save this list for my favorite houses in the neighborhood:
1️⃣ 10th Avenue, between 84th and 83rd Streets
2️⃣ 84th Street, between 12th and 11th Avenues
3️⃣ 82nd Street, between 13th and 12th Avenues
4️⃣ 10th Avenue, between 84th and 83rd Streets
5️⃣ 14th Avenue, between 72nd and 71st Streets
6️⃣ 1023 83rd Street, between 11th and 10th Street
Pro Tips to get even more into the Holiday Spirit: spend a night at the Theatre!
Here are my fav shows:
DID YOU ENJOY THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER
Feeling festive and want to celebrate the Holidays over the top? Check my NYC Christmas Bar list here.
