The Prettiest Holiday Window Displays in New York City This Year

In this socially distanced shopping season, the windows of Fifth Avenue could look a little different.

NYC is known for its spectacular holiday window displays, but in this unprecedented year, it’s looking like even this annual tradition could be subject to changes. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (and the associated drop in travel and tourism) some stores have been holding virtual ceremonies for the unveiling of their famous holiday window displays.

Bloomingdale’s kicked off the holiday season, revealing their famous windows on November 23 with a Virtual Holiday Benefit featuring singer Andra Day and dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, supporting the Child Mind Institute. Likewise, Saks Fifth Avenue held its holiday window unveiling on November 23 with a virtual light show and celebration.

Here’s a look at some of the latest windows that are lighting up NYC streets and a look back at some of our favorite designs from last year for all of your holiday decorating inspiration needs.

Bloomingdale’s is bringing a dose of joy to the streets of New York with the boldly colored holiday window displays for their 59th Street flagship store. Inspired by their “Give Happy” campaign, each window features a signature color and video display designed to bring a smile to fans faces, even amidst this unusual holiday season.

The Give Good Cheer window features a rainbow of neon hues as well as a video of their holiday campaign’s multi-colored imagery which forms a Christmas tree of lights with a neon star at the top.

The store’s green Give Snuggles window features a wreath of snuggly, verdant teddy bears with twinkling rhinestone eyes. For an extra unique treat, visitors will also experience the scent of evergreen when they stop in front of the window to create a full multisensory experience.

The orange Give Happy window will fill window shoppers with puppy love courtesy of a jumbo sized glittering orange dog surrounded by smaller pooches and neon bones.

Love is central to the holiday season, and the red Give Love window embraces that with marquee hearts. To complete the experience of walking through a candycane forrest, the window gives off a peppermint scent to immerse fans in the holiday feel.

You’re sure to be grinning at the yellow-clad Give a Smile window, which is decked out in a spinning emoji-style disco ball by New York City artist, Allison Eden that reveals a mannequin sporting happy holiday fashion on the other side.

There’s no feeling blue with this gleaming Give Light window that features a giant spinning snowflake studded by winter fashion looks. For added luminosity, the scene dazzles with hanging Swarovski crystals, polar bears, and neon snowflakes.

Inspired by David Yurman’s Starburst collection, the 2020 «Star Dreaming» windows at the NYC boutique were designed to transport viewers to the stars. “There is nothing more magical than seeing stars on a winter night. They inspire a feeling of childlike wonder, shining with the pure light of our dreams, hopes and blessings,” David Yurman said in a statement about the windows.

For the 2020 holiday season, Saks’ famous Fifth Avenue windows are showcasing holiday traditions and the importance of spending time with loves the theme «This is How We Celebrate», including six windows dedicated scenes from iconic settings in NYC, like this ode to the musical power of Broadway.

2020 has given many of us a new appreciation for our hairstylists, and that’s equally true for the denizens of this window depicting a classic barber shop filled with adorable kids and their furry friends.

Like this couple on their way to deliver gifts via the Roosevelt Island tram, Saks is giving back through their livestreamed lighting shows. Each of the events throughout the month will benefit a non-profit organizations serving NewYork City and beyond, totaling $100,000 in donations over the course of the holiday season.

NYC theaters may be closed at the moment, but this aspiring dancer getting an autograph from her ballerina idol are keeping the dream alive.

The lighting and decor displays of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn have become an NYC institution, immortalized here for all of Fifth Avenue to enjoy.

Like many New Yorkers, these friends and their local food truck are showing some holiday spirit at a socially distanced holiday block party.

To honor the spirit of the 2019 holiday season, Bergdorfs channeled the spirit of the holiday «fete» with a twist.

Bergdorf Goodman, 745 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10019

Each window captures a different and unexpected scene of revelry and celebration, created with a range of mediums including neon, Italian mosaic tile, needlecraft, soft sculpture, custom painted finishes, and embellished surfaces all of which dazzle and delight.

The 2019 themes include, Winner Take All, Wild Card, Jackpot!, Game Night, Queen’s Gambit, Up The Down Escalator, and Scavenger Hunt—all of which were conveived by David Hoey Senior Director of Visual Presentation and longtime window dresser at Bergdorf Goodman.

Louis Vuitton unveiled their holiday 2019 installation on November 21, celebrating this year’s festive season with a towering installation that scales the entire corner facade of their Fifth Avenue store. Ornamented with fluorescent sculptures and bright color, the brand’s iconic monogram logo is magnificent lit and vibrantly hued. The 3D spheres and hearts, as well as pop art animations are woven from the exterior of the building through the store windows, which showcase iconic pieces.

Louis Vuitton, 1 East 57th Street, NY, NY 10022

At this doll haven, the 2019 holiday window feature an American Girl winter wonderland that really brings the shine to the season with nearly 200 Swarovski gleaming crystal strands and 130 pounds of Swarovski crystal star dust.

Starting on November 29, Hudson Yards is unveiling an indoor-outdoor artistic light and music installation named Lyra, inspired by the constellation. Designed by artist Christopher Schardt, the interactive experience is comprised of a series of star-shaped sculptures, all of which are made of 12,000 individually controllable LED lights, which are synchronized to a classical soundtrack for visual spectacle.

Hudson Yards, Between 10th and 12th Avenues from West 30th to 34th Street.

NYC Christmas windows: Your guide to the best holiday displays

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When it comes to holiday window dressing, more people are thinking out of the box — and out of the windows — for the brightest displays ever.

Look no further than Hudson Yards, home to Neiman Marcus and a cluster of other stores, which will immerse itself in light and music shows from 5 p.m. beginning on Friday. There’ll be live music and dance performances on Tuesdays, kids’ activities on Saturdays and holiday-themed photo ops practically everywhere you look.

Up on Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton has swathed itself in a psychedelic splash of pastel lights, while PayPal — the new kid on the block — is taking window shopping literally: Scan the codes in each of its five windows on West 44th Street off Fifth, and you can buy handmade toys, honey, chocolate and more from a bunch of small businesses.

Some of the best things in store this holiday season are in the stores themselves. Duck out of the cold and lose yourself in enchanting displays in Nordstrom and elsewhere. Read on to find the brightest holiday action in town.

The best holiday windows in NYC

Every December my family and I put on our most comfortable walking shoes, our warmest coats and gloves and head into the midtown madness that is holiday season in New York City.

On any other day, the idea of venturing into a crowd of tourists would turn us away from the city. It is why on most summer weekends and holidays visitors might find they have the city to themselves.

But not on Christmas. This time of year is one where we happily join in on all the fun, and when we take on the annual Christmas window walk.

We book a hotel room at the Radisson Martinique on Broadway and after a hearty breakfast at The Harold, we set off to enjoy the beautiful holiday window displays.

The holiday windows in central Manhattan are so iconic and so beautiful that the crowds and lines that form alongside them are worthy of the hours it takes before you have seen them all.

Macy’s Herald Square

The adventure starts on Broadway in front of the world’s largest department store.

By far one of my favorite windows, Macy’s often brings a favorite childhood story to animatronic life. Each window is a new page in the story, encouraging spectators to follow along in order till the very end.

Macy’s Holiday 2010 window

Continue to walk down Broadway and onto Fifth Avenue. This is where it gets really crowded and fun.

Viewfinder Tip: Though the crowds are heaviest during the early evenings and on weekends, if you wait late enough at night you can get a better view.

Lord & Taylor

In 2015, Lord & Taylor captivating the hearts of us all with its “Favorite Things” themed windows. From candy shops to gingerbread kingdoms, we left in awe and craving some sweets. The artistry and detail they display every year is why they are on our must-see list.

Lord & Taylor 2013 window

Saks Fifth Avenue

Not only does Saks put on a holiday fashion extravaganza with its over-the-top glittery wear, they also showcase a beautiful light show on the building’s facade. Best visible at night and from across the street, the music and light show is a crowd stopper and never ceases to bring a smile to our faces. Enjoy the lights of the Rockefeller tree between intermissions.

Bergdorf Goodman

What I most love about Bergdorf Goodman’s displays is that they come in different sizes to fit their different size windows. It is easy to miss the smaller displays at a quick glance, so it is best to slow down and take it all in.

Before venturing off of Fifth Avenue and towards Barney and finally Bloomingdale’s, make a stop into the Food Hall at the Plaza for some hot chocolate or spirits to warm you up.

Bergdorf Goodman’s 2010 window

The entire stroll is no more than 2.5 miles, but there is a lot to see and do along the way. It easily has taken us a few hours, if not almost an entire day with stops into shops, eateries, and holiday markets.

The best approach is to go with time, patience, and a festive mood. You will be surrounded by beautiful displays and people from all over the world. In my opinion, what makes these windows so wonderful are how they bring together the best of the city during the holidays. So, enjoy!

What are your favorite holiday traditions?