From the dazzling holiday lights at Saks Fifth Avenue to the mesmerizing light show at Hudson Yards, NYC truly knows how to shine this time of year!
Dyker Heights is a Brooklyn neighborhood that’s famous for its over-the-top Christmas decorations. The residents here go all out with lawn ornaments, motorized displays, and even life-sized Santas.
Saks Fifth Avenue
For locals and tourists alike, Saks Fifth Avenue is synonymous with luxury department store holiday windows and a spectacular light show. The display is a popular part of New York City‘s holiday season and runs each year from late November through early January. The lights flash and dance across the building to music that changes each year. The show is especially impressive at night and is best seen from a spot on Fifth Avenue directly in front of the store, or in Channel Gardens, the area that runs from Saks to Rockefeller Center.
Founded in 1867, Saks is an American luxury department store chain with stores in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Saks is known for offering a wide range of high-end designer merchandise and has been at the forefront of retail innovation since its inception. Saks is also known for its innovative and creative advertising campaigns, showcasing the latest in fashion trends and styles.
The New York City flagship store of Saks is located on Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. The store has been a landmark on Manhattan’s prestigious shopping district for nearly 100 years and is considered one of the world’s finest luxury retailers. It was originally established by Andrew Saks, who opened a small retail establishment in the F Street shopping district of Washington, DC, called Saks & Company in 1902. The store was sold to rival Gimbel’s in New York City in 1924 and was named Saks Fifth Avenue.
Saks Fifth Avenue’s iconic holiday displays feature a unique theme each year, and 2021’s display is “The Gift of Time.” The windows are unveiled each year around Thanksgiving and run until the first week of January. During the unveiling, an appearance by Sir Elton John is often part of the event. This year, Saks partnered with the singer to make a $1 million donation to the AIDS Foundation Rocket Fund and co-curated a collection of holiday merchandise featuring more than 60 designers.
The Saks Fifth Avenue light show is a must-see for visitors to the city, but it can get quite crowded during the busiest times of the season. For the best experience, arrive early on a weekday to avoid the crowds and enjoy the spectacle from the sidewalks. The streets do not shut down during the event, so you’ll need to stand in a safe location to see the light show.
New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. Founded in 1891, the 250-acre garden is home to over one million plants and features a variety of landscapes, including a Japanese Garden designed by Takeo Shiota and a Lorillard Snuff Mill. In addition to horticultural displays, NYBG is also a center for research in plant science with its International Plant Science Center, the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium and the LuEsther T. Mertz Library, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of botany-related texts.
Pentagram was engaged to create a new identity for the Garden that reflected its rich heritage and position as one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City, while positioning it for future success. The result is a comprehensive system of identity elements that unifies the Garden’s many different programs and initiatives. The new logo represents the interplay between the Garden’s horticultural and scientific programs, capturing the beauty of the Garden’s diverse plants and the importance of its work in preserving and enriching our environment.
NYBG needed a logo that would stand out from the crowd and appeal to tourists as well as residents of New York. The final design uses a geometric form with a simple, modern palette. The mark is complemented by a custom typeface and a series of botanical illustrations that show the Garden’s diversity.
Throughout the year, visitors can see the Garden at its best, with displays of exotic flora and fauna from around the world, but NYBG is perhaps most famous for its annual holiday shows. The dazzling NYBG Train Show, featuring a magical array of model trains that zip through a stunning display of iconic landmarks and displays, has become a beloved NYC tradition that is not to be missed.
NYBG is a place for all five senses, and it’s never more evident than during the holiday season when the grounds are illuminated with thousands of LED lights. The enchanting spectacle, called NYBG GLOW, is held during select November, December and January evenings, making it the perfect way to experience the season.
Bronx Zoo Lights
The Bronx Zoo lights up every holiday season with a festive light show that is sure to delight all visitors. This walk-through experience features immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns, and an array of seasonal treats and entertainment. The festival is open on select dates from November through January, and is a great way to celebrate the holidays with your family.
This year, the Bronx Zoo will showcase more than 360 animal and plant lanterns spread across the zoo. The main attraction is the lantern trail, which stretches through five different geographically representative “lantern safaris,” including Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceans. Each pathway also includes larger-than-life lanterns that depict animals and plants from the respective region. The Forest of Color, which is also new this year, is home to over 20 large lanterns representing animals and plants such as frogs, snails, butterflies, and turtles.
You will also find a wide array of other activities, such as ice carving demonstrations, stilt walker performances, and a wildlife theater. Additionally, visitors can visit the gift shop for a variety of souvenirs and seasonal treats. While this event is free for zoo members, it requires a special ticket for non-members and a separate admission from a standard zoo admission ticket. The event is so popular that some of its most popular dates and times are already sold out, so be sure to book tickets in advance if you want to see the spectacle for yourself.
The dazzling display will also include a new ice sculpture of the zoo’s iconic giant anteater, as well as a musical performance of a reimagined Tchaikovsky classic. Guests can also take part in the annual Polar Bear Plunge to raise money for conservation efforts at the zoo.
The lights are a spectacular sight, but you’ll need to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes if you plan on spending an entire evening at the Bronx Zoo. The site is a bit hilly, and the walkways can be crowded with people. To make your trip more enjoyable, try to arrive early to avoid the crowds. Also, be prepared to wait in line for food and drinks.
Hudson Yards
One of the newest areas to visit in NYC, Hudson Yards has been getting lots of attention for it’s slick shopping mall with luxury stores and restaurants and also the stunning 150 foot-high Vessel (which is not climbable but can be seen from afar). This popular area of the city gets even more festive around the holidays. In fact, this year Hudson Yards is offering a show called “Shine Bright Only at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo”. The lights on display here will have you in awe.
The outdoor area is decked out with more than 2 million twinkling white lights and the inside of the mall is awash in the same. You’ll find a 32-foot giant hot air balloon decoration hanging in the main entrance of the Shops & Restaurants area and all of the escalators are illuminated too.
During the evenings, you can experience a visual spectacle synchronized with music and awe-inspiring lights. There are also plenty of opportunities to take photos and get into the holiday spirit with events taking place throughout the season. You can find the full schedule of events here.
While you’re there, don’t miss the opportunity to eat something delicious. There are several food options to choose from including restaurants, bars and a grocery store. This area is located on the west side of Midtown Manhattan near 30th Street and Hudson Avenue.
It’s free to visit Hudson Yards but be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds. You’ll want to be there at least an hour before the show starts so you can enjoy all of the lights and activities.
There is no specific dress code required to attend the event but it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket just in case. If you’re planning to take a lot of pictures, you’ll need a good camera battery and a large memory card. If you don’t have a memory card, you can rent one for a small fee. You can also use your phone to record the show, but be sure to have an external microphone as it may not pick up sound clearly if you’re farther back from the action.
