In the vibrant, twinkling metropolis of New York City, the holiday season comes to a close with the ceremonial removal of festive Christmas decorations. The end of the holiday season in New York City, marking the transition to the quieter winter months, stirs both excitement and nostalgia among residents and tourists. Let's explore the schedule for removing NYC's Christmas decorations and delve into the festivities that mark this charming transition.
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, perhaps the most iconic symbol of Christmas in NYC, holds its majestic presence from late November through early January. Here are the key details:
- Tree Lighting Ceremony: Typically held around the Wednesday or Thursday before Thanksgiving, initiating the start of the holiday season.
- Lighting Ceremony: The tree remains lit daily from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm until January 7th, with the lights staying on around the clock on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
- Disassembly: On January 7th, a special ceremony marks the tree’s final lighting. Following this event, the tree is taken down, often donated to Habitat for Humanity for lumber recycling.
Department Stores and Decorations
Major department stores like Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s are known for their extravagant displays. These decorations begin to come down:
- Post-Christmas: Sales and clearance events kick off immediately after Christmas, and although decorations might still be up, the stores start to dismantle displays in the first week of January.
- Early to Mid-January: By this time, the majority of Christmas decorations are removed, making way for winter sales or Valentine’s Day displays.
The Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
A beloved attraction, the Holiday Train Show features G-scale model trains navigating through miniaturized NYC landmarks.
- Show Runs: Typically from late November until mid-January.
- Take-Down: The show concludes, and the trains and landscapes are packed away for the next year’s festivities.
Public Streets and Parks
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, along with various community organizations, oversee the installation and removal of decorations in public spaces:
- Street Decorations: Garlands, lights, and wreaths begin to disappear from public streets in the days following New Year’s Day.
- Park Displays: Christmas trees and other holiday displays in parks like Bryant Park, Union Square, and Central Park come down typically in early to mid-January.
Winter Village at Bryant Park and Other Seasonal Attractions
Bryant Park’s Winter Village, featuring an ice rink and holiday shopping, remains until late January or early February:
- Final Day: The last day varies but often falls around the end of January or the first week of February.
🎄 Note: The removal of Christmas decorations in NYC is not only an end but also the start of new seasonal attractions, such as ice sculptures, Valentine’s Day window displays, and winter fashion sales.
As the holiday lights dim and the festive decorations are packed away, New York City's charm does not fade. Instead, it evolves, presenting a blend of winter elegance and anticipation for the coming spring. The transition from Christmas to the early days of the new year in NYC reflects a city that seamlessly flows from one celebration to the next, creating a year-round canvas of culture and tradition.
When does the Rockefeller Christmas Tree come down?
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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is typically taken down on January 7th, following a final lighting ceremony the night before.
Do department stores keep their Christmas decorations up until the New Year?
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Most department stores begin to dismantle their Christmas decorations immediately after Christmas, especially as they shift focus to post-holiday sales.
What happens to the decorations after they’re taken down?
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Many decorations, particularly the Rockefeller tree, are donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity for recycling. Smaller decorations might be stored for future use.
