The Christmas lights in New York City are part of what makes the city such a magical place to be for the holidays.
From sparkling Christmas trees and decorated store facades in Manhattan, to the crazy lawn decorations at Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, and awe-inspiring lantern festivals, there are incredible light displays sprinkled across all five boroughs of the City.
I live in New York and I never get tired of seeing all these incredible Christmas lights. Here are my favorite New York City Christmas lights broken down by borough.
💥💥 Here’s a fun holiday experience: A Pedicab Tour of the NYC Christmas Lights 💥💥
Want to save this guide to all the best New York City Christmas lights as an easy reference for your trip planning? Pin It.
New York City Christmas lights in Manhattan
1. Rockefeller Center
The Rockefeller Center is ‘Christmas Central’ in NYC.
An enormous real tree takes center stage. The tree is covered in lights and topped with an enormous Swarovski crystal star. It stands just above a golden statue of Prometheus and a small plaza that is turned into an iconic skating rink.
In the lane leading from Fifth Avenue to the tree, a water feature lined with angels blowing trumpets, and smaller trees covered in golden baubles create the perfect backdrop for photographs. You can get a professional photo taken for a fee – or just take your own.
If you want to hang out, there are eight cozy chalets set up above the rink level. These are $45 – $180 (for up to 6 people) depending on the time and date for a 40-minute reservation. There are more lights and often oversized statues of drummers lining the edges of the top level that overlooks the skating rink below.
2. Saks Fifth Avenue
Across the street from Rockefeller Center, on the other side of Fifth Avenue, is Saks Fifth Avenue.
The whole 10-storey façade of the iconic store used to be used for a spectacular holiday light and music show. In 2024, they have decided not to do this and they will instead just illuminate the façade. I’m hoping they bring it back in 2025, but I guess it will depend on how good their sales are.
The windows are often themed around a Broadway show or popular children’s story.
3. Cartier
The building itself is always decorated for the holidays. In 2024, there’s a sound and light show featuring the moon and stars that’s cool to see.
4. The Snowflake over Fifth Avenue
From Cartier, you can also see the enormous three-dimensional snowflake that hangs 50 feet above Fifth Avenue at 57th Street. It’s suspended from four buildings: the Aman Hotel, Bergdorf Goodman, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co.
The snowflake is 30-foot-wide and features 16,500 sparkling crystals and high-intensity color LED lights that change color constantly.
5. Bryant Park Winter Village
In winter Bryant Park turns into a holiday wonderland called Bank of America Winter Village.
There is a great ice-skating rink, a large holiday market, and a pop-up bar where you can stop for a hot chocolate with marshmallows, or something stronger to fortify yourself against the cold. They also have igloos and a Curling Cafe as well as bumper cars on ice!
There are Christmas lights all around and the tree is very sparkly. The decorations change each year, but are always beautiful.
6. Macy’s
Macy’s main entrance is on Herald Square. In 2024, there’s a small market set up outside the front entrance on Herald Square.
The main facade, and especially about the central doorway, is always decorated. The holidays windows are also not to miss.
➡️ See my Guide to the New York holiday windows for more details about the window decorations.
Have extra time? Live out your Miracle on 34th Street fantasies and start your visit at Macy’s Santaland
➡️ See my Ultimate Guide to Christmas in New York for details about Santaland.
Have even more time? Macy’s is one of the best places in New York City to do your Christmas shopping. The store is decorated beautifully and there are often good sales. You might want to come back and do your shopping later, so that you don’t need to carry it around.
Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards is home to The Vessel, an upscale mall, some great restaurants (don’t miss Mercado Little Spain), the Edge (a viewing platform that extends out beyond the top of a skyscraper!) and a theater. They also go all out with Christmas lights, covering the trees in lights and lining the edges of The Vessel with lights.
The Vessel is a super cool art multi-story art installation that you can walk around.
➡️ Book a tour of Hudson Yards and The Vessel
The Edge has the gimmick of hanging out over the edge of the building 1,100 feet above the ground, but the 100 level indoor and outdoor sky decks have incredible 360-degree views of New York City.
➡️ Book entrance to The Edge Observation Deck
NYC Christmas Lights in Brooklyn
8. Dyker Heights Christmas lights
The crazy Christmas lights of Dyker Heights are increasingly famous and a definite must do when you visit NYC at Christmas.
Dyker Heights is a neighborhood in Brooklyn in which many of the residents try to outdo each other with over-the-top Christmas decorations. This includes lights, inflatables, statues and more.
When to see the Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights
The decorations are typically up from Thanksgiving until the end of the year and usually lit between around 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Keep in mind these are people’s homes and this is a suburban neighborhood, so times vary between homes, and people come home from work, eat dinner, watch TV, and don’t like people walking in their yards!
Where to see the Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights
The main area of crazy decorations is from 11th to 13th Avenues, and from 83rd to 86th Street. Note: 13th Avenue is also called Dyker Heights Blvd.
How to get to the Dyker Heights Christmas lights
There are several ways to get to Dyker Heights: bus (confusing), drive (traffic jams), subway and a tour.
How to Get to the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Display by Subway
- Take the D train toward Coney Island and get off at 79th Street station in Brooklyn
- Exit near the intersection of 79th Street and New Utrecht Avenue
- Go northwest on 79th Street towards 16th Avenue
- Turn left onto Dyker Heights Blvd. (13th Avenue).
Tours to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
By far the easiest way is to take a tour. There are few options:
➡️ Take a bus tour from Manhattan to Dyker Heights with a guide. Meets at a standard pickup place. This is your basic option with ease of getting from Manhattan to Brooklyn. BOOK IT HERE
➡️ Take a private tour with a guide with pickup/ dropoff at your hotel. This is your most comfortable and easiest option. BOOK IT HERE
➡️ Take a walking tour of Dyker Heights (meets in Dyker Heights). Take the subway there but have a guide to show you around. This is the most economical option. BOOK IT HERE
9. Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
This is held at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens from November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
There’s an illuminated trail through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with light-splashed landscapes and luminous installations plus seasonal treats and festive music.
Check their website for prices and to get tickets.
Christmas Lights in New York: Queens/ Long Island
10. LuminoCity Festival
This is a similar light art experience in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on Long Island. There are 8 lights displays set over 17 acres, creating a fantasy land of six themed parks to wander through. There are also four special themed nights with performances, holiday markets with food and drinks every night.
The Luminocity Festival runs from November 8, 2024 to January 5, 2025. It is open
- Monday – Thursday 4:30pm to 9:30pm (last entry 9:00pm)
- Friday – Sunday: 4:30pm – 10:00pm (last entry 9:30pm)
Timed entry tickets cost $28.43 – $31.89 for kids (aged 4-12) and 36.50 – $38.80 for adults (depending on the day). VIP tickets are $71.08-$73.39. You can buy tickets online.
The VIP ticket gives you:
- Fast Pass into the festival via VIP entrance
- Complimentary Lumi Goodie Bag with Lumi’s favorite things (worth more than $40)
You can get to Eisenhower Park by car. There’s a free shuttle from the parking to the festival.
11. Tianyu Lights Festival
This isn’t specifically Christmas, but is a light festival huge 3D lighted lanterns created around a theme of Koda’s Adventure to the Magical Forest. The lanterns create a whimsical wonderland that you walk through to see Koda’s dreams through the luminous art installations. There are live cultural music and dance performances throughout the journey.
There’s also a holiday market and food and drinks are available.
It’s held in the Citi Field parking lot. Admission is:
💲 Adult $44
💲 Child $36
💲 VIP Adult $94
💲 VIP Child $86
It’s open Wednesday – Sunday, 5:00pm – 10:00pm (closed on December 20, December 9, December 16, and January 6). It runs from November 29, 2024 – January 19, 2025.
See full details and get tickets here.
New York City Lights in The Bronx
12. Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
This is another lantern festival, but this one’s themed for the zoo. There are millions of lights and hundreds of wildlife lanterns spread across 6 lantern trails representing almost 100 animal and plant species.
There are also cool animal-themed illuminated performers (like giant illuminated puppets), as well as ice carving demonstrations, and a holiday train. And of course, yummy holiday treats for sale.
It runs November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
Holiday Lights tickets are available for timed arrival windows, from 3pm to 8pm (to 9pm on Fri & Sat)
3:00pm tickets allow guests a little time to visit animal exhibits before those close for the day at 4:00pm. Then see the park transform and light up during sunset transition!
You can buy tickets that are available for any night or buy tickets for a specific date.
Sensory-Inclusive nights are Thursday, December 5, 2024 and Friday, January 3, 2025
Prices are:
Any-Night Tickets
💲 Adult (13 & over): $56.95
💲 Senior (65 & over): 51.95
💲 Child (3 – 12): $41.95
💲 Child (2 & under): FREE
Date-Specific Tickets
💲 Adult (13 & over): $41.95 (regular) and $46.95 (peak)
💲 Senior (65 & over): $36.95 (regular) and $41.95 (peak)
💲 Child (3 – 12): $26.95 (regular) and $31.95 (peak)
💲 Child (2 & under): FREE
NYC Lights in Staten Island
13. Historic Richmond Town
Historic Richmond Town is actually worth visiting any tome of the yar if you like history, but it’s especially magical at Christmas time.
Many of the historic homes are decorated for the holidays with lights and Christmas trees. they also have special events that the whole family can enjoy, including horse drawn carriages, cute shopping stalls selling souvenirs and seasonal treats, and a chance to take a photo with Santa and his elves.
Check their website for special house tours, seasonal events and opening hours.
14. The Winter Lantern Festival
The Winter lantern Festival is not a Christmas event, but is a great holiday outing. There are over 40 ‘lanterns’ – LED installations up to 30 feet/ 9 m tall.
⚠️ In 2024-25, the festival is NOT in NYC. It was held at Snug Harbor on Staten Island in previous years, but in 2024, it’s in Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Connecticut. The dates are November 15, 2024 – February 9, 2025.
You enter though a dramatic dragon gateway, pass over-sized poppies, traverse through a tunnel of lights and enter a large field with many beautiful lantern/ light displays scattered around. Some are more successful than others.
The shark is a disappointing up close, but dramatic from a distance; the African animals are a little mean looking, and the Chinese vase a little bland (as is the Christmas tree).
However, a birdcage is a colorful fancy, pink flamingos are spectacular, an enormous Chinese gate glows, and a long dragon is a dramatic finale.
The event is put on by a Chinese cultural organization, and in addition to the lantern displays, there are “projection mapping live performances”.
There are food trucks that sell food and hot chocolate, as well as a couple of tents that sell (expensive) souvenirs and have sugar art demonstrations.
If you liked this guide to the NYC Christmas lights, Pin It to your Holiday Board or New York City Board!
More Planning Resources for Christmas in New York
➡️ Ultimate Guide to Christmas in NYC
➡️ New York City Christmas Tree Guide
➡️ Ultimate New York Christmas Walking Tour
➡️ Ice Skating in New York Guide
➡️ The Best New York Holiday Markets
➡️ Check out my Gift Guide full of great New York City experiences.
About the author
James Ian has traveled to 83 countries and all 7 continents. He is passionate about experiential travel, i.e. meaningful travel that actively engages with the environment and culture. He helps people have similar experiences that involve active participation in activities and festivals; engaging with the local food and handicrafts through lessons and food tours; and interacting positively with environment by hiking, riding, rowing, diving and low/no impact animal encounters.