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This is a list of the best Christmas decorations in Manhattan, but it is not an exhaustive list.  I will try and keep adding to it as more things come up.

Starting at 59th Street and Columbus Circle:

The Shops at Columbus Circle:  The Mall is beautifully decorated and there are plenty of great stores to shop and restaurants to eat at.  Not a bad way to spend the day.

Moving South onto the Fifth Avenue Corridor (Between 57 and 34):  Everyone makes a big deal about an itinerary of what they MUST SEE in terms of Christmas lights, but a 20ish block walk down Fifth Avenue will get you so much, and you can stop, shop, browse, do whatever you like.  Part of the fun part of being in Manhattan IS to just enjoy a stroll without feeling you MUST get somewhere.  Yes, of course the lights are going to be best at night.  Be prepared to have crowds if you are doing this after Thanksgiving and before X-Mas.  Most decorations stay up slightly after New Year’s and it’s a quieter time to see the magic and extend your holidays a bit more:

Down 5th Avenue, here are the shops/decorations you are likely to see: (Don’t forget to check out the famous and gorgeous snowflake across 57th street.

  • Central Park South / Plaza Hotel Area, 5th Avenue & 59th Street, New York, NY 10022
  • Bergdorf Goodman:  57th and 5th Great decorations to purchase inside, nice windows. Lavish, artistic, often very theatrical window displays.
  • Tiffany’s: 57th and 5th – Their holiday windows are legendary — this year features a “Bird on a Rock” installation, plus the building glitters in Tiffany Blue.
  • Louis Vuitton Store: 57th and 5th. Light Show: A 240-foot-tall animated light show is projected onto the trunk-shaped facade of the store. The show runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and repeats every 30 minutes. Each show is four minutes long.
  • Península Hotel:  55th and 5th – Another grand hotel with beautiful decorations
  • Cartier (5th Ave at ~52nd St): Famous for the huge red “gift-wrap bow”
  • The NY Palace Hotel:  50th and Madison – simply gorgeous inside!

Rockefeller Center Area: This is the heart of holiday magic in NYC – 52 and 5th but you can also view from 5th.

  • Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: The iconic tree (with thousands of lights) is the centerpiece.
  • Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show: The façade of Saks (across from the Rockefeller plaza) lights up to a choreographed music-and-light show. Runs every ~10 minutes.
  • Channel Gardens & Plaza Areas: Around Rockefeller Center, you’ll also find seasonal decor, garlands, festive lighting, and more.
  • Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10020
  • Bryant Park Winter Village, 42nd Street & 6th Avenue
  • Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd Street- Village and decorations
  • Park Avenue (Memorial Trees), 42nd Street and 59th Street

Hudson Yards:  (West 30th Street, between 10th and 12 Avenue) – Hudson Yards has become a major holiday destination in recent years:

  • Shine Bright at Hudson Yards: Over 2 million twinkling lights illuminate the area.
  • The Vessel-very dramatic and Instagrammable
  • edgenyc.com- Giant Hot Air Balloons & Ornaments
  • Part of the Hudson Yards:  holiday installation includes 16-foot balloon decorations, and string lights

Midtown:

Herald Square– Macy’s, 151 West 34th Street

Downtown:

  • West Village (Residential Streets), Grove Court, Perry Street, and Bank Street
  • South Street Seaport –Pier 17, 89 South Street, New York, NY 10038