Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in NYC

55 of the Best New York City Christmas Light Displays – Seasonal Holiday displays for all to enjoy! – Update on NYC Christmas Lighting

This list of New York Sights for 2009 will show you where to find the best places to find Christmas Light Displays in New York City. You will also note that a lot of time and effort have been put forth to not only tell you where the Christmas light displays are, but there are details about most of the locations describing each facility.

This list is Copyright © 2009 by Bill McGrath, all rights reserved, no part of this list may be republished in any medium without express written permission by the author/compiler and copyright holder. Used here with permission. Thanks Bill.

NEW YORK SIGHTS – 2009

1. Museum of the City of New York – 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street. Has more than 1.5 million paintings, prints, photos, costumes, toys, rare books, manuscripts, sculptures, decorative arts objects and other artifacts including silver and furniture. Suggested admission: $10.00 adults, $6.00 seniors & students, children 12 and under free. Tue.-Sun.: 10-5. Small scale museum very easy to tour.

2. Tree Lights on Park Avenue – Between 97th Street and 48th Street. Perhaps the most beautiful lights are strung up on the cherry and hawthorn trees lining Park Avenue. These trees were first lighted on Dec. 17, 1945, and dedicated to the memory of those who had died in all of our country’s wars. They became known as the Park Avenue Memorial Trees. On the first Sunday in Dec. there are performances by the Children’s Choir of the Brick Church and the US Army Band. Music program closes with “Taps” played by a single trumpet before the lighting of two and a half miles of Memorial Trees.

3. Metropolitan Museum of Art – At 85th Street and Fifth Avenue. On view is a majestic 20 foot candlelit blue spruce adorned with 18th century Neapolitan cherubs and angels. Set in front of the 18th century Spanish choir screen from the Cathedral of Valladolid and with recorded Christmas music in the background. First floor, Medieval Sculpture Hall – Nov. 24, 2009 to Jan. 6, 2010.

4. Rhinelander Mansion/Ralph Lauren Store – 867 Madison Avenue at 71st Street. Ralph Lauren’s flagship store is in one of the few remaining turn-of-the-century great homes. Built by Kimball & Thompson in the 1890’s, the house fell into disrepair after the owners never moved in. Beautiful carved staircase, antique furniture and chandeliers.

5. The Frick Collection – 1 East 70th Street and Fifth Avenue. Mansion housing the Frick Collection was built in 1913-1914 for steel and coke industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Audio tour included in admission covers paintings, sculpture, furniture and mansion itself. Tue.-Sat., 10 to 6, Sun. 11 to 5. Adults – $18, Seniors – $12, Students $5. Pay what you wish on Sunday – 11 to 1.

6. The Crystal District – A five block stretch of Madison Avenue between 63rd and 58th Streets. Visit Lalique, 712 Madison at 63rd Street, Daum, 694 Madison at 62nd Street, Steuben, 667 Madison at 61st Street, Baccarat, 625 Madison between 58th & 59th Streets and Swarovski, 625 Madison at 58th Street. Steuben has three airy beautifully illuminated levels showing their crystal.

7. Barney’s – 660 Madison Avenue at 61st Street. The windows theme this year “Have A Witty Holiday”, honor the 35th birthday of late night sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live”. They’re all here, Wayne’s World, Church Lady, and The Coneheads. Fred’s At Barney’s is a bright dining room on the 9th floor offering lunch and dinner daily, high tea on week days and brunch on weekends. Superb desserts and salads. Great for people watching.

8. Bloomingdale’s – 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street. Beautiful eastside art-deco landmark building opened in 1886. Windows theme is “Happy Merry Peace Love Holiday World” A dozen windows with a toast to togetherness and love depict “Dynamic Duos”; Barack & Michelle Obama, Anthony & Cleopatra, Batman & Robin, Santa & Mrs. Claus. Don’t miss the Smile-O-Matic window which lets you see yourself on a big screen flanked by a parade of remastered masterpieces-Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”, Botticelli’s “Venus”.

9. Plaza Hotel – 768 Fifth Avenue at Central Park S. and 59th Street. Hotel which opened Oct. 1, 1907, was designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in French Renaissance Chateau-style. Reopened as of March 1, 2008. Hotel now has 282 hotel rooms and 152 condo units. Take a peek at the lobby glittering with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations. Across from the Plaza is the famed Pulitzer Fountain by sculptor Karl Bitter built 1914-1916. Figure on top is Pomona, Goddess of Abundance. Usually decorated with 100 Christmas trees and flags of all 50 states around the base of the fountain.

Holiday Lights NYC

10. World’s Largest Menorah – Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. Dec. 11 – Dec. 19, 2009. The 32 foot high golden menorah was designed by artist Yaacov Agam who drew inspiration from a hand drawing by Maimonides of the original menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. . On the last night there is live music, singing, folk dancing, gelt (chocolate coins) & potato latkes.

11. Time-Warner Center – Columbus Circle (between 59th and 58th Streets off of Eight Avenue). Complex of shops, restaurants, hotel and apartments. Contains Whole Foods, largest supermarket in Manhattan. A wonderful addition to “must see” New York buildings. The 150 foot tower on the prow of the building is lit each evening from 5 p.m. to midnight. Its 36 panels in 12 groups of changing colors change colors every 3 minutes. Best seen from 8th Avenue. Inside, the “Holiday Under the Stars”, a visual-sound show features dynamic displays of light & color set to holiday music where twelve 14-ft stars weighing nearly 1,000 pounds each dazzle from the soaring ceilings lighting up all of Columbus Circle. The light show takes place every night at 5 PM with the LED stars of aluminum & Plexiglas, with 156 strobe lights and 11,000 fiber optic points.

12. Van Cleff and Arpels – 745 Fifth Avenue between 59th & 58th Streets. Famous French High Jewelery House; its origins in 1896 lay in the hands of Alfred Van Cleef and his father-in-law, Salomon Arpels. In 1906, Alfred Van Cleef joined forces with his brothers-in-law Charles and Julien Arpels to establish Van Cleef & Arpels. In 1942, the founders opened their store in New York City.

13. FAO Schwarz – 767 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street in the landmark General Motors Building. Famous toy store founded by Frederick August Otto Schwarz and his 3 brothers from Westphalia, Germany is 147 years old this year. Doormen dressed as wooden soldiers guard the doorway. Also a Barefoot Book Store and a candy & sweet shop called; FAO Schweetz.

14. Bergdorf Goodman Department Store – 754 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 57th streets. Store is located in two architecturally significant mansard-style buildings built in the 1920’s. Walk into the store to see handcrafted chandeliers & experience the elegant atmosphere. The theme at the Women’s Store is “Compendium of Curiosities” inspired by Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. One window made of shattered and reassembled Venetian mirrors portray a girl trying to enter a large fireplace, a library scene is made entirely of intricately cut pieces of paper showing paper animals such as a cat, flamingo, turtle and a lizard, other shows a game room featuring a King and Queen playing with over-size chess pieces. Other windows depict a tree house surrounded by a forest of roses & a girl playing with a Cheshire cat and an all-wood “Drink Me” window filled with staircases ranging from full-scale to tiny all connecting into little doorways & rooms with a full-size mannequin with a miniature girl who holds the key to one of the door ways. The 2009 holiday window displays at Bergdorf’s Men’s Store across the street, feature “The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Friends”. The 12 windows feature puppets, props, etc., that were used in production of the film “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” which is based on the 1970 children’s novel by Roald Dahl.

15. UNICEF Snowflake – This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Snowflake. A 27 feet in diameter illuminated snowflake hangs over Fifth Avenue at 57th Street every year. The snowflake is made of 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms and was handcrafted by German lighting designer Ingo Maurer. It will be illuminated throughout the holiday season.

16. Tiffany & Co. – 727 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street. Famous jewelry store founded in 1837. A distinctive shade of blue on their bags & packages is universally recognized as their trademark. Tiffany tells whimsical stories in its five tiny box-sized windows. See little blue Tiffany gift boxes nestled among the trunks of neon trees to a diamond-filled ice-sculpture garden. (See Note 1)  Tiffany’s  tiny box-sized windows have figures & scenes done in bright white paper cut & folded in intricate designs. See twirling ladies, Santa being pulled by six reindeer, a winding staircase, forest scenes and Cinderella & her castle.  On display on the main floor is the Tiffany Diamond, one of the largest yellow diamonds in the world. Discovered in 1877 in the Kimberly Diamond mines in South Africa, it was bought by Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1878. The stone is 128.54 carats and has 90 facets, 32 more than the traditional brilliant cut. (Note: The diamond at times may be away on a tour.)

17. Louis Vuitton Malletier – International French fashion house founded in 1854. Known for its monogram and logo, LV, a long time symbol of prestige & wealth. The “Home for the Holidays” is the theme of the window displays this year. The displays feature authentic flap boards similar to those found in train stations around the world. During the holiday season onlookers can enjoy departure and arrival cities, seasonal activities, inspired quotes regarding the marvel of travel, and personal sentiments displayed across the boards.

18. Trump Tower – 725 Fifth Avenue between 57th & 56th Streets. This 58 story skyscraper is a “must see” building. The beautiful lobby with its five level atrium features a cascading waterfall. Public spaces decorated in Breccia Pernice, a pink white-veined marble and lots of brass and mirrors. Stop in here or “you’re fired!”

19. Henri Bendel – 712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street. Most exclusive of New York’s department stores established in 1896. Set in a graceful building with windows designed by Rene Lalique (1860-1945), famous designer of jewelry and glass. Visit the sumptuous tearoom. Windows show Swarovski crystal encrusted mannequins having a “Brown & White Ball”, a circus themed crazy masquerade party & jam session. Under the floorboards, the mice are having their own fantastic holiday party. The little mice mannequins have a lot of personality & some are dressed as Swarovski-stealing pirates.

20. The House of Harry Winston – 718 Fifth Avenue between 56th & 55th Street. The House of Harry Winston, is the embodiment of three generations of Winston jewelers dating more than one hundred years back. The company which bears his name today was established in 1932 by Harry Winston, the son of a New York jeweler. The specialized operation of cutting the rough diamond, polishing, designing and creating the finished jewel, is conducted in Winston’s New York building on Fifth Avenue.

21. The World of Disney Store – 711 Fifth Avenue & 55th Street. Three floors and 24,000 square feet of space showcasing Disney gifts with a New York twist as well as your favorite Disney characters waiting to meet you. Disney is closing the Fifth Avenue store on Dec. 31, 2009 due to the $15 million yearly rent.

22. Takashimaya Dept. Store – 693 Fifth Avenue between 55th & 54th streets. A branch of Japan’s largest department store. Children’s section has a merry-go-round & a high-design playhouse.  The Tea Box Cafe in the basement is a Fifth Avenue Treasure serving 40 types of tea.  The afternoon tea service includes a pot of tea, pastries, cookies, tea sandwiches & fresh fruit.

23. Carnegie Deli – 854 Seventh Avenue between 55th and 54th streets. “There is Only one and this is it”. Hankering for a pastrami or corned beef sandwich – this is the place. Try the cheesecake too.

24. The House of Cartier – 653 Fifth Avenue at 52nd Street. Founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, master jeweler to Europe’s crowned heads. The whole building is gift wrapped in a gigantic red ribbon with a 20-foot bow. Lots of greenery also & many small trees covered in blue lights & gold balls.

25. Ellen’s Stardust Diner – 1630 Broadway at 51st Street. Retro 1950s theme diner filled with nostalgic memorabilia. The singing wait staff makes this a fun place to have lunch.

26. New York Palace Hotel – Madison Avenue between 51st & 50th Streets-almost directly behind St. Patrick’s. Front of hotel is the old Villard House built in 1882 by Stanford White. Marble fireplace at head of stairs is by Augustus St. Gaudens. See this place at night with its beautiful white lights in the courtyard. Beautiful decorated Christmas tree in the lobby. If you need a restroom this is the place-2nd floor.

27. Rockefeller Center – Fifth Avenue between 50th and 49th Streets. The Christmas tree tradition began in 1933. This year the 76 foot tall, Norway spruce is from Easton, Conn. and it is decorated with 30,000 lights, which will be lit by LED lights. Tree lighting ceremony is Dec. 2, 2009 and tree will be lit until Jan. 7, 2010. The Swarovski designed star which tops the tree has 25,000 crystals, with 1 million facets and has a diameter of 9 ½ feet. The plaza heading towards the tree is occupied by the traditional horn-blowing angels. See New York’s skyline from Rockefeller Centers newest attraction, Top of The Rock, observatory deck on the 70th Floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Tickets, Adults (13-61) – $21.00, Seniors 62+ – $19.00, Children 6-12 – $14.00.

28. St Patrick’s Cathedral – Fifth Avenue and 50th Street. The largest decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the U.S. Construction began in 1858 and it opened in May 1879. Look high above the main altar to see the fragmentary remains of the Cardinal’s hats that were hung there upon the death of a Cardinal.

29. Radio City Music Hall – Avenue of the Americas between 50th & 51st Streets. Radio City is the largest indoor theatre in the world & was recently restored to its original splendor. Lobby is breathtaking with magnificent crystal chandeliers. Site of the annual Christmas Spectacular Show with the Rockettes.

30. Lionel Electric Trains – From November 12 to January 5, Lionel has opened a flagship store at Rockefeller Center at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, across from Radio City Music Hall, at 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Shoppers will enter a winter wonderland complete with a Christmas tree and a fully operational train display visible from the street. The store will feature many of Lionel’s top selling trains and in addition, Lionel’s mascot “Lenny the Lion” will make special appearances handing out gifts.

31. Saks Fifth Avenue – 611 Fifth Avenue between 50th & 49th Streets. Founded by Andrew Saks in 1867. Windows theme this year is “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Flake”. Saks & Microsoft’s high-tech display has more than 20 synchronized video monitors. Story line is simple, Twinkle the snowflake gets sucked into a jet engine & sees the world before fluttering home …to Saks. Don’t miss the overstuffed skater who flails on the ice among a passel of penguins. Also, look for the spectacular Snowflake LED-Lightshow on the façade of the building featuring 72,000 lights & fifty programmable unique snowflakes, nearly 10 stories high choreographed to a modern version of the Carol of the Bells dance on the building. SFA Café on 8th floor serves brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. Impressive view from the Café of Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mon-Sat – 11-5 (7 p.m. on Thur.) Sun. – 12-5.

32. The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel – 301 Park Avenue between 50th and 49th Streets. When you walk into the Park Avenue Lobby you may be overcome by the grandeur of this Art Deco masterpiece. During recent $200 million dollar renovation many original Art Deco treasures were rediscovered and unveiled, wonderful Christmas decorations.

33. American Girl Place – 609 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street. Dolls, books and toys as well as a Café serving brunch, lunch and tea.

34. Hershey’s Times Square – 1593 Broadway at 48th Street. New York’s new candy land headquarters. Hershey’s factory- inspired store in Times Square is a chocoholic’s dream come true. Look for the steaming cup of cocoa on the marquee. Have your name or message displayed on their exclusive outdoor scrolling marquee sign. The store façade features 34 dimensional props, four steam machines, over 4,000 chasing lights, 30 programmable lights, 56 neon letters and14 front-lit signs.

35. Diamond and Jewelry District – 47th Street. The US is world’s largest consumer of diamonds & 90% move through the diamond district. Over 2,600 independent businesses are on this street.

36. Tkts Booth – Times Square and 47th Street and Broadway – Now “under the red steps”. Get half price tickets (cash or travelers checks only) for Broadway shows. Opens 10 AM for Wed. and Sat. matinee tickets. If seeing a play OTHER than a musical, go directly to Play Only Window – don’t wait in line.

37. Joe Allen Restaurant – 326 W. 46th Street. Phone 212 581-6464. A friendly spot for a bite before the theatre or a mid-day respite from the chaos of Times Square. Theatre types blend in with businessmen on lunch break. The food is a standard mix of reliable tavern fare interspersed with more unexpected choices. The mashed potatoes are a sure fire winner. Frequented by celebrities. Henry Winkler was present on our visit & waiter said “Rosie” likes the desserts here.

38. Toys “R” Us – 1514 Broadway between 45th and 44th Streets. This flagship store has a working 60 foot Ferris wheel, a five-ton, 20 foot high, 34 foot long animatronic T. Rex dinosaur and a two-story Barbie doll house.

39. Fred F. French Building – 551 Fifth Avenue at 45th Street. Another “must see” building for architecture buffs. Impressive 38 story Art Deco building, built in 1927, rises from a three-story base clad in limestone and gleaming gold decorated bronze panels. You have to stop and admire the bronze work. Colorful mosaic of winged griffins on the top of the building. Beautiful lobby features Roman travertine floors, St. Genevieve marble walls, cast bronze elevator doors and patterned glass chandeliers.

40. New York Yacht Club – 37 West 44th Street. Beautiful 106 year old building whose design is inspired by Dutch sailing ships. Founded by J. P. Morgan and friends, the building is awash in limestone anchors and carved wooden seaweed. If you are an architecture buff you want to see this building.

41. The Westin New York At Times Square – 270 West 43rd Street. The largest new hotel built in New York City. The hotels facade uses more than 1,000 permutations of curtain wall panels and intricate patterns of colored glass inspired by earth and sky tones. The architectural signature of the hotel is a brilliant beam of light that runs up the entire 42nd Street face of the 45 story tower and is launched beyond the physical structure with pulsing lights that pierces the nighttime sky. A nice little bar on the second floor lobby for a quiet drink

42. Hello Kitty Store – 233 W. 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. It’s hard not to notice the bright pink store. Toys, gadgets & personal & home accessories adorned with Japanese cartoon character Hello Kitty & her many colorful friends. Moms and daughters love this place.

43. Chrysler Building – 405 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street. Completed in 1930, building is Art Deco masterpiece. Lobby is full of inlaid wood, stainless steel, African marble, Italian marble, blue marble and amber onyx. Each elevator is inlaid with a different wood. Lobby ceiling has world’s largest canvas mural.

44. New York Public Library – Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Stone lions in front were dedicated May 23, 1911 Sculpted by Edwin Clarke Potter from pink Tennessee marble. Lions named by Mayor LaGuardia during the depression to symbolize spirit of New Yorkers. South lion is Patience – North Lion is Fortitude.

45. Grand Central Terminal – Park Avenue and 42nd Street. See the new matching marble staircase. Lower level has numerous food establishments with plenty of tables and chairs. Check out the landmark Oyster Bar (90 different seafood items, dozen kinds of oysters & of course clam chowder) in the lower level – notice the vaulted ceiling of Gustavino tiles. Free tours are available Wed. at 12:30 pm in front of the Philip Morris/Whitney Museum across the street from Grand Central. Look for the following attractions
at Grand Central:

Holiday Laser Light Shows 11:00 AM-9:00 PM-Nov. 30- Dec. 31, 2010 – six distinct shows rotate every half hour on the sky ceiling.

Vanderbilt Hall Holiday Fair-Nov. 25-Dec. 24. – 70 specialty merchants present a wide assortment of gift items.

Grand Central Market – New York’s most exciting European-style Food Hall, featuring fresh foods for holiday entertaining and gifts. You will not believe the display of fish and seafood from all over the world.

Train Show – Nov. 23, 2009-Jan. 16, 2010. Working model trains running through wondrous holiday scene. Created by Lionel Trains. Not just a simple loop of model trains, but a full holiday fantasy journey from a New York living room, through the miniature city, and on to the North Pole.

46.  42nd Street Food Court – 234 W 42nd Street next door to Madame Tussad’s. On last visit there were nine different choices in one location. Choose from Chili’s Grill & Bar, Manchu Wok, California Pizza Kitchen, Jody Moroni’s Sausage Kitchen, Ruby’s Dinette, Applebee’s, Carvel, Cinnabon and Starbucks’s. Great place for a quick snack and drink.

47. Fetes de Noel, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park – Between 42nd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Offers gift worthy items in an old-fashioned outdoor market styled in the European Holiday tradition. Located behind the New York Public Library – Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Open Nov. 6, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010. Features artisans, boutiques, cultural institutions, designers, food merchants, and gift shops from around the world.

48. The Pond at Bryant Park – Between 42nd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The Pond is a 170 X 100 foot free ice skating rink and is the centerpiece of Bryant Parks winter season. Imposing at night with all the skaters and the huge Christmas tree lit up. From Nov. 6, 2009 to Jan. 24, 2010. Very clean rest rooms available at the park on the 42nd Street side.

49. Kinokuniya Book Store at Bryant Park – 1073 Sixth Avenue between 41st and 40th Streets across from Bryant Park. Three floors of books with a branch of Café Zaiya, a Japanese-style pastry and sandwich shop on the 2ndfloor. Great place for a hot cup of tea while waiting for your tour bus to pick you up at Bryant Park. Large windows give a great view of Bryant Park which will be ablaze in bright lights..

50. Lord & Taylor Department Store – Fifth Avenue at 39th Street. Samuel Lord & George Washington Taylor founded the company in 1826. It was the first major store on Fifth Avenue and the first to present innovative Christmas windows filled with holiday displays rather than merchandise. Their windows are the most elaborate and popular of all. The theme this year is “What We Love”. Windows show My Favorite Christmas Cards, My Favorite Christmas Songs, My Favorite Christmas Treats, My Favorite Christmas Toys, & My Favorite Christmas Stories. See Victorian skaters moving on a screen bombarded by a digital blizzard. Also, detailed scenes of wide-eyed children and dogs dozing by the fireplace, music and evergreen awnings. Don’t miss the window devoted to Christmas treats with its gingerbread carousel ringed by twirling reindeer. Look for the snow globe with a family inside shopping at Lord & Taylor. The detailed settings and animated figures were prepared below street level and moved into place by a hydraulic lift system left over from the buildings previous life as an auto showroom.

51. Great Buttons – 1030 Sixth Avenue between 37th and 36th streets. Tons of beautiful buttons. Last time there they made earrings out of some beautiful jeweled buttons for about $3.00 plus the cost of the buttons. They cut the buttons and solder earring backs on while you wait.

52. Morgan Library and Museum – Madison Avenue and 36th Street. This complex of buildings covers half a city block. It began as a palazzo-like structure designed by Charles Follen McKim to serve as the private library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan. Built between 1902 & 1906, it became known as “Mr. Morgan’s Library”. See famed reliquaries and altar vessels, medieval objects made with so much silver and gold that they seem to give off heat, medieval & Renaissance manuscripts, books, etc. Recently reopened after being closed for almost 3 years.

53. Macy’s Herald Square – Macy’s, founded in 1858 by Rowland Hussey Macy, is at Broadway between 35th and 34th streets. The windows this year are themed “Dear Santa” & have a post office theme complete with touch screens for sending your own mail to Santa. See Santa & Co. sort though & deliver on our dreams. Don’t miss the Ferris wheel-like turning of hundreds of letters & the elf at the chalkboard keeping track of the nice, the naughty & in-between. Store windows on the 34th street side will, as always, showcase scenes from “The Miracle On 34th Street” The facade of the building is decorated with a tree of lights. Visit Santa on the 8th floor where 13,000 square feet of space is bedecked in twinkling lights, sparkling stars and candy canes to create Santaland. The 9th floor has Macy’s Puppet Theatre showing Miracle on 34th Street

54. Empire State Bldg. – 350 Fifth Avenue, between 34th and 33rd Streets. 102 story skyscraper, built 1930-1931, was world’s tallest building until World Trade Center was built in 1972. Built of Indiana limestone and granite, trimmed with aluminum and chrome-nickel steel from 6th floor to top. Lobby is a five story Art Deco masterpiece with marble from France, Italy, Belgium and Germany. Visit the Observation Deck for an 80 mile view into NJ., Pa., Conn., and Mass. Building will be lit in red and green for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah.

55. Forbes Magazine Galleries – 60 Fifth Avenue and 12th Street. Free admission. Hours are Tue.-Wed.: 10-4, Fri.-Sat.: 10-4. The ground floor houses one of the most enchanting museums. Some rooms are devoted to toys including 12,000 toy soldiers and 500 toy boats. Also has a section devoted to political memorabilia with an emphasis on U. S. Presidents. Sad to say, the fabulous collection of Faberge Easter Eggs and Faberge jewelry is now ancient history. Collection has been sold and returned to Russia.

Note: Items 1 to 55 above are listed in descending order from 103rd Street to 12th Street.

NYC Holiday Decorations

Unfamiliar with how the Avenues in New York run?
Order of Avenues is:

First (East River)
Second
Third
Lexington
Park
Madison

Fifth (Walking down Fifth with the side streets going lower –45th, 44th, 43rd, etc., the above Avenues will be to your left. The Avenues below will be to your right)

Broadway
Sixth (Ave. of the Americas)
Seventh
Eight
Ninth
Tenth
Eleventh
Twelfth (Hudson River)

You have permission to print this list out for your own personal use to use as a checklist while you visit all of the gorgeous sights.  This list may not be republished in any medium.

(Note 1: Update 12/15/09 – The Tiffany window display was updated by Mr. McGrath, the compiler and copyright holder.)

Copyright ©  2009

Related Posts:

• New York City Sights
• NYC Events: December

36 Comments

• By Steve Gorney, December 2, 2009 @ 8:55 am This is an amazing resource for the number one destination in the world at Christmas time. New York City has defined in a big way how we experience and feel Christmas in these times. From Movies like Miracle on 34th Street, The Macy’s Parade, and the unparalleled lights and sights, NYC at Christmas is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime.

• By Maureen, December 2, 2009 @ 8:56 am This has to be the most comprehensive list of lighting displays in the world! Thorough, easy to understand and I LOVE that it’s organized so you can actually walk down the list. Thank you for this fabulous resource.

• By Rich, December 2, 2009 @ 9:45 am Awesome! So glad you liked it. It does turn out to be a walking list just the way it is laid out. It should be a great help to anyone coming to see the bright lights in the big city. Thanks so much for the nice comment. Rich

• By Rich, December 2, 2009 @ 9:47 am Hi Steve, You are right on there. I remember the first time I ever visited the city at Christmas time just took my breath away! Thanks for your input. Rich

• By Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny, December 2, 2009 @ 3:33 pm Found you at last! What a fantastic idea. This is like receiving an early Christmas present. Well done. Would love to join you on this walk and then have a cup of cocoa afterwards. haha!

• By Rich, December 2, 2009 @ 10:01 pm Aw shucks… Happy Holidays and thanks for the comment. Rich

• By Andrew @ webuildyourblog.com, December 3, 2009 @ 4:47 am Easily beats the lights we get in Worthing, UK! Makes me want to come to NYC for Christmas! Perhaps one year! Andrew

• By Gprofessionals, December 3, 2009 @ 7:44 am This is a great resource; you have compiled a brilliant list here. In addition, details provided are helpful for everyone planning for Christmas outing.

• By Rich, December 3, 2009 @ 8:02 am Wow, that is so nice to hear! Thanks for the comment. Rich

• By Rich, December 3, 2009 @ 8:05 am I’ll tell you what Andrew, we will trade some time and I will come to UK to enjoy the Christmas pudding. Only time I was ever there I only saw the airport in London on my way through to Northern Ireland. Thank you for letting us know you found the list. All the best and happy Holidays. Rich

• By Douglas, December 3, 2009 @ 8:53 am As an American exactly half way around the world from NYC, it sure is nice to see sights of home during the Christmas holiday. Thank you and Merry Christmas to all.

• By Lance Nelson, December 3, 2009 @ 1:28 pm Hi Rich, A really inspiring list. I haven’t been to New York for 20 years. So want to go back now. Thanks!

• By Rich, December 4, 2009 @ 12:20 am Hi Lance, You right about it making you want to go and see these wondrous sights. So don’t stay away so long. Happy Holidays Rich

• By Rich, December 4, 2009 @ 12:21 am Hey thanks Douglas, Merry Christmas to you too. When you get back from the other side of the world let me know and I’ll make sure you get a guided tour of the Big apple. Rich

• By Andrew @ WeBuildYourBlog.com, December 4, 2009 @ 4:25 am Rich, You don’t get Christmas pudding over there? That’s the best bit of Christmas. In fact, I normally keep one back and have it in July! Andrew

• By Rich, December 4, 2009 @ 9:24 am We don’t get it around here unless we get invited to a nice Brit’s home. LOL We have fruitcake that lasts for many years. I don’t think anyone eats them and they just give it to someone else next year. \grin/ Have a happy…

• By RhondaL, December 4, 2009 @ 9:34 am Wow! Comprehensive blog post. Thank you! I’ve Stumbled and Tweeted. And now I’m ready to catch the train into the city.

• By Rich, December 4, 2009 @ 11:07 am I Love you RhondaL Thanks so much for helping to spread the word. This was the longest blog post i have ever published in my life and I am so happy people are using it. Have a great day and Happy Holidays! Rich

• By Eat Smart Age Smart, December 4, 2009 @ 5:25 pm It really doesn’t take me much to love New York more, but this post has done it for me! Rich, you obviously love your city and it’s great to read. I’m only sad that I will not be in NYC to enjoy all these beautiful display of festive lights! Krizia

• By Rich, December 4, 2009 @ 6:42 pm Oh Krizia you must hurry back! The city is breathtaking and misses you. I just checked out your nice blog and it is like a stroll through Whole Foods, yummy, and the other scenery is not bad either. LOL Thanks for the nice comment and Happy Holidays. Rich

• By New York City Hotels, December 5, 2009 @ 1:27 am My what a wonderful list. You have captured what we all feel with this nice article. Thanks for including some of our excellent Times Square Hotels Andy

• By Grace @ Sandier Pastures, December 20, 2009 @ 11:33 pm What a lovely city, Christmas or otherwise! I’d love to get there someday.

• By Evelyn Lim, December 31, 2009 @ 4:41 am Oh gosh! One day, I hope to see it for myself in NYC!!

• By Rich, December 31, 2009 @ 6:48 am Hi Evelyn, You will be able to see the Christmas lights for a few more days. I believe they come down on January 6th. They are most excellent this year. Thanks for the comment. Happy New Year.

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1. New York at Christmas Time | Discount-Shopping-Online — December 4, 2009 @ 6:08 pm

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