The enchantment of Christmas in New York City (NYC) begins as early as the end of October, when the spirit of the holiday season starts to fill the air. With its iconic sites, breathtaking displays, and a palpable sense of holiday cheer, NYC is renowned for its magical transformation into a winter wonderland, but when exactly do these holiday decorations go up?
The Early Birds: Commercial Spaces
The first to herald the arrival of Christmas in NYC are the city’s retail outlets and commercial spaces. By late October, stores like Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue are already decking their halls:
- Macy’s: Known for its famous Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s begins the festive setup well in advance, often starting in late October. The iconic star atop Macy’s Herald Square goes up, and the interior of the store is transformed into a winter wonderland.
- Saks Fifth Avenue: The Saks light show is a must-see event. Preparations for this elaborate display usually begin in late October, with the grand unveiling happening just before Thanksgiving.
The Window Displays
Department store window displays are a staple of NYC’s Christmas decorations:
- Bergdorf Goodman: Their windows, often themed and elaborately decorated, start their reveal in late November.
- Barneys: Although Barneys closed in 2019, its spirit lives on through other stores’ displays, with some setups beginning in mid-November.
- Bloomingdale’s: They start their holiday window preparation in early November.
The Public Spaces
New York City’s public spaces are also quick to embrace the festive mood:
- Rockefeller Center: The famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting is a major event. The tree usually arrives in mid-November and is decorated over a week or so, culminating in an official lighting ceremony around the end of November or early December.
- Times Square: The Billboards, illuminated decorations, and the annual New Year’s Eve ball start their festive makeover in early December.
- Bryant Park: The Winter Village opens its doors in late October, with full holiday setup by mid-November, including an ice-skating rink, shops, and festive decorations.
⚠️ Note: Weather conditions can affect the installation and unveiling of outdoor decorations. NYC's Department of Parks & Recreation also has protocols for managing large installations.
Neighborhood Decorations
Neighborhoods like Dyker Heights in Brooklyn and 5th Avenue in Manhattan get into the festive spirit:
- Dyker Heights: Residents here go all out with their Christmas lights and decorations, often starting in mid-November.
- 5th Avenue: As part of the city’s preparations, the lights along 5th Avenue typically go up in the week leading up to Thanksgiving.
Cultural and Religious Displays
While the commercial aspect is immediate, cultural and religious displays take a more measured approach:
- Cathedral of Saint John the Divine: Decorations for the Christmas season start closer to mid-December, aligning with the liturgical calendar.
- Church of the Transfiguration: Known as “The Little Church Around the Corner,” it begins its holiday setup post-Thanksgiving.
🕊 Note: Religious institutions often align their holiday decorations with the church calendar, starting their preparations in Advent.
Entertainment and Events
NYC’s array of holiday shows, markets, and events also brings out the festive decor:
- The Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Setup for this famous show begins well in advance of its opening in November.
- Holiday Markets: Markets like Union Square Holiday Market start their setup in mid-October to early November for the Black Friday kickoff.
The Lights of NYC
The city glows with its own light:
- Central Park: Decorative lighting adorns the park, often starting in early December.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Lightscape, an annual event, starts setup by early November with public openings in late November.
🌆 Note: New Yorkers and tourists alike eagerly await the annual return of NYC's festive lights.
The Takeaway
To summarize, the Christmas decorations in NYC follow a beautiful, carefully orchestrated timeline. From the early weeks of store displays to the more calculated timings of public and religious installations, the city transforms bit by bit into a holiday spectacle. The wave of decorations starts with commercial outlets in late October, builds through early public displays in mid-November, and reaches its full grandeur around the end of November with the Rockefeller Center Tree lighting. By mid-December, NYC is fully adorned, offering visitors and locals a spectacular view of holiday cheer at every corner.
When do the lights go up in Times Square for Christmas?
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The illumination of Times Square for the holiday season usually begins in early December.
Why does NYC start its Christmas decorations so early?
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NYC’s early start is to capitalize on holiday shopping and the influx of tourists eager to experience its holiday cheer.
Can you ice skate at Bryant Park before Thanksgiving?
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Yes, the Winter Village, including the ice skating rink, opens in late October or early November.
When are the Christmas window displays in NYC revealed?
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Most stores reveal their Christmas window displays around late November, especially close to or just after Thanksgiving.
Is it possible to visit the Christmas Markets in NYC before Thanksgiving?
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Yes, some markets like Union Square Holiday Market often open in late November, just before Black Friday.
