12 Best Places To See Christmas Decorations and Lights in NYC (2026 Guide)
Where is the best place to see Christmas lights in NYC? After five years of running our own NYC Christmas day-trip tradition with our family, we’ve tested (and retested) the best spots, from the Rockefeller Tree to hidden gems most tourist guides skip. Here are the 12 best spots to see Christmas decorations in NYC worth building your trip around – exactly where to go and what to expect when you get there.
1. Lotte New York Palace Hotel
For the best close-up holiday photos, we always head to Lotte Palace. A short walk from Rockefeller Center and across the street from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the gates at Lotte Palace are always open, welcoming guests to marvel at the glistening Christmas tree and festive indoor and outdoor decorations.
The courtyard and lobby are absolutely stunning during the holidays when they are decked out with larger-than-life toy soldiers, sparkly red bows, presents, and a beautifully decorated, ornate Christmas tree.
Head inside the hotel to marvel at more cozy Christmas trees and admire a gingerbread replica of the iconic Villard Mansion, capturing its grandeur.
Address: 455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
2. Avenue of the Americas
We recently stumbled upon this not-so-secret locale, which quickly became our new family favorite!
At the bottom of this sunken plaza on the Avenue of the Americas, you can walk through the 36-foot tunnel Christmas tree.
The cutout offers the perfect photo opportunity and is just out of this world.
We also loved the canopy of lights, visible from street level.
While there’s a short queue to take photos, it’s absolutely worth the few minutes’ wait.
Although we visited during the day, I can only imagine how it would look at night.
Address: 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
3. Tavern on the Green
Tavern on the Green is a stylish restaurant and bar right in Central Park, and it has a really warm and cozy vibe during the holidays. You’ll love the festive decorations!
Offering a wide variety of holiday cocktails, delicious food, and live music in the evenings, it captures the warm, celebratory mood of the season with sparkly lights, Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes, gingerbread houses, and more.
If you’re looking for a cozy date night venue or a spot to rendezvous with friends, Tavern on the Green won’t disappoint.
Address: W 67th St, New York, NY 10023
4. Grand Central
During the holiday season, Grand Central transforms into one of the city’s top festive destinations. The historic 1913 transportation hub is beautifully decorated with wreaths and Christmas decorations, welcoming visitors from near and far to New York. Shop at seasonal pop-up stalls from vendors around the world by visiting the Grand Central Holiday Fair.
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
5. New York Transit Museum in Grand Central
If you’re exploring New York City with kids, the Holiday Train Show at the New York Transit Museum will take your breath away.
The holiday exhibit features trains traveling along a two-level train layout. The Metro-North, Polar Express, and vintage subway train sets make their way past New York landmarks like the Empire State Building and then on to the North Pole.
Alternatively, journey back in time by riding the Holiday Train on Sundays in December. You can ride a vintage 1930s NYC train car for the swipe of a regular MetroCard.
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 (Museum is inside Grand Central)
6. Bryant Park Winter Village
One of the best holiday markets in NYC, Bryant Park Winter Village is a hub for all things holiday-themed, from shopping to dining to ice skating.
Some of our favorite spots to take photos include in front of the gigantic Christmas tree, with a fancy cocktail in hand at the Lounge, or in front of the ice rink.
The city skyline provides the perfect backdrop, and we love seeing the Empire State Building in the distance.
With a larger budget, consider renting a private igloo or a curling lane.
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
7. Rockefeller Tree
One of the most popular holiday locations in New York City, the Rockefeller Christmas tree is an iconic symbol of the holiday season.
It’s a timeless tradition that captures the spirit of the season, making it an obligatory stop for holiday photos.
The Christmas tree behind the ice rink, against the city backdrop, is spectacular!
We recommend visiting during the day and at night to capture the change in scenery.
Anticipate large crowds at popular locations like the Rockefeller Tree, so keep your phone handy and be ready to snap photos quickly when the opportunity arises. To avoid the rush, consider visiting during off-peak hours, such as mornings and weekdays. Another tip is to plan your visit early in the holiday season.
Fun Fact: The Rockefeller Christmas tree donated each year is later used to build homes. This heartwarming tradition adds an extra layer of meaning to the annual celebration.
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
8. Sak’s Fifth Avenue Light Show
Complimenting the Rockefeller Christmas tree, the world-famous Sask’s Fifth Avenue Light Show is an annual spectacle of choreographed lights, music, and animation.
The show starts every 15 minutes in the evenings and features hundreds of thousands of LED lights that dance and shimmer to holiday tunes.
Just be mindful that there is a lot of foot traffic, so you’ll likely have many people in the background – an easy fix with a photo editing app.
Address: 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
9. Radio City Music Hall
Home to the Radio City Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall serves as a beautiful backdrop for holiday photos.
Whether you’re taking a selfie in front of the marquee or a family portrait inside the theater, this historic landmark and Art Deco building is adorned with Christmas trees, wreaths, and festive lighting.
Across the street, you can also take selfies with gigantic red ornaments and candy canes.
Address: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
10. Macy’s at Herald Square
The world’s largest department store knows how to celebrate the holidays.
Macy’s window displays are iconic! Not only are they impressive to look at, but they are also interactive.
Celebrating Christmas in New York with a baby meant we spent extra time admiring the Bluey, Hot Wheels, and LEGO window displays.
Listen to this podcast episode for practical tips on how to navigate NYC during the holidays with a baby.
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | Any Player
Address: 151 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001
11. Hudson Yards
With a fun “Shine Bright in NYC” theme, Hudson Yards, a luxury shopping destination, is decked out with two million warm, creme-colored glittering lights and 735 Christmas trees, which you can find in the outdoor public square and garden, and a dazzling 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece dangling in the lobby.
You can also find smaller 16-foot hot air balloons scattered across the property, including one right in front of the Vessel.
Featuring trendy shops and high-end, luxe boutiques, the best vantage point for holiday photos is on the second or third floor, with the shimmering hot air balloon and Vessel as a backdrop.
Visiting at night is breathtaking.
All lit up, it feels like the hot air balloons magically transport you to the North Pole to see Santa.
Speaking of Santa, you can take complimentary photos with him, a special way to make memories with kids. Sadly, ours came out blurry, which was disappointing. With that, we will probably skip the photo experience next year.
Experience Hudson Yards during the holidays from November 25th to January 5th.
12. Vessel
Across the street from Hudson Yards, admire the illuminated Vessel, a 16-story artwork decked out for the holidays. Closed since 2021 and recently re-opened to ensure the safety of all guests, you can now climb up 154 steps to the top and take in panoramic views from inside the honeycomb structure.
Address: 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
Planning a Christmas Trip to NYC? Quick FAQ
Is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree free to see? Yes! Admission to the public viewing area is completely free and on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are needed or sold for general viewing. If you want to avoid the crowds, go early in the morning or on a weekday.
When do the Christmas light displays start in NYC? Most major displays go up in mid-to-late November, with the official Rockefeller tree lighting ceremony held on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving in early December. The tree typically stays lit through mid-January, so you don’t have to rush if you’re visiting after the holidays.
Is NYC crowded at Christmas? New York City is extremely crowded during the holidays, especially around Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and Bryant Park. If you’re trying to see the decorations, aim for weekday mornings, or plan visits later at night after the crowds have cleared.
Do I need reservations for any of these spots? No reservations are needed for outdoor viewing (Rockefeller Tree, Hudson Yards, Avenue of the Americas, Vessel exterior). If you want to climb the Vessel or eat at Tavern on the Green, book ahead; both get booked up fast in December.
Final Thoughts: There’s No Place Like NYC For the Holidays
Christmas in NYC never ceases to amaze us, no matter how often we visit.
Every year, we discover new places we want to visit next, so we have no plans to stop our annual family tradition.
Our NYC Christmas bucket list includes Cartier, Macy’s Santaland, the exclusive Plaza Hotel, and Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Pier 15.
In summary, here’s a list of the top spots for New York Christmas decorations:
- Lotte New York Palace Hotel
- Avenue of the Americas
- Tavern on the Green
- Grand Central
- New York Transit Museum
- Bryant Park Winter Village
- Rockefeller Christmas Tree
- Sak’s Fifth Avenue Light Show
- Radio City Music Hall
- Macy’s at Herald Square
- Hudson Yards
- Vessel
What are your favorite places to see holiday decorations in New York? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
