7 Extraordinary Holiday Window Displays In NYC

New York likes things big, and that holds true for the December holiday season. Even jaded locals indulge in the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, Saks 5th Avenue’s music and light show, and let their breath be taken away by the opulent, over-the-top window displays.

1. Bergdorf Goodman

Store

Bergdorf Goodman is located near the chic Paris Theatre and famous Plaza Hotel. The grandeur of Bergdorf Goodman’s neighbors is apparent in the gilded window displays where nothing is left untouched. Windows are circus-themed with gem-encrusted gypsies, lions, and wheels of fortune.

2. Lord and Taylor

Store

Under a canopy of white Christmas lights and pine lie brilliant window displays at Lord and Taylor’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue. Displays include multiple Patisserie scenes, an army of Gingerbread men carrying an enormous Gingerbread house, and white doves. Digital interactive screens add dynamic 3D effects to each window, mesmerizing onlookers.

3. Ralph Lauren Women’s and Home

Building, Shop, Store

The corner of Madison Avenue and East 72nd street is one of the most beautiful corners on the Upper East Side; it can easily be mistaken for a Parisian building. It is also home to Ralph Lauren Women’s and Home and Children boutiques. The windows here shimmer with black and silver New Year’s’ Eve themed displays. The children’s store windows are equally impressive with bears dressed up in chic children’s ski lodge attire with snowy backgrounds.

4. Christian Louboutin Madison

Store

George Balantine’s The Nutcracker with musical score by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky is ingrained in many minds and hearts as the official soundtrack of the holiday season. The iconic nutcracker from the ballet is enlarged and on full-display at Christian Louboutin’s Madison Avenue store complete with over-the-knee lace-up leather boots and elaborate fur headpieces. The nutcrackers salute pedestrians as they pass by the store, thus engaging walkers in the holiday season.

5. Bloomingdale’s

Shop, Store, Theater

Along Lexington Avenue between East 59th Street and East 60th Streets, Bloomingdale’s windows illuminate bright vivid monochrome colors featuring iconic holiday season images such as reindeer. The Third Avenue side of the store features Star Wars-themed displays which are sure to excite both old and young alike.

6. Saks 5th Avenue

Shop, Store

Saks’s windows not only create an aura of 1920s opulence and indulgence, the light show on the 5th Avenue side of the store accompanied by lights is a performance the whole block can enjoy. The best view is sitting by the lighted angels and stars that pave the way to the grand Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center.

7. Macy’s

Store, Shop

87th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade

Scenes from everyone’s favorite Peanuts characters fill Macy’s windows along Broadway in Herald Square. Interactive screens allow passersby to build-their-own Peanuts characters. Along 34th Street, an old-world charm enchants on-lookers.
By Rachael Silverstein

A Buffalo native, Rachael adopted New York City as her home in 2008 and has been exploring the five boroughs through her camera ever since. Rachael works as a freelance photographer at Rachael Elana Photography and is a passionate traveler, Francophile, foodie, runner, and bookworm. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

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