Christmas in New York City

If you've visited during the holidays, you'd have to agree that there is nothing quite like Christmastime in New York City. When the holiday season rolls around, there's no place I'd rather be, and no matter how many times I have experienced the magic of Manhattan at Christmas, it never gets stale.

Every corner of the city seems to sing with Christmas cheer.

1251 Avenue of the Americas

There are so many Christmas displays, that it's hard to keep track. One of the more famous, is this collection of enormous, red ornaments that sit in a fountain on 6th Avenue, reflecting the Midtown Christmas lights all around.

Plaza Hotel

It feels like Christmas was born here.

"A Visit From St. Nicholas" Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863), 1862.

Autograph Manuscript, New-York Historical Society, Gift of the Author.

I guess, in a way, it was. For example, the famous poem, "A Visit From St. Nicholas" was first published anonymously in the New York Sentinel in 1823. 15 years later, theologian and New Yorker, Clement Clarke Moore acknowledged authorship.

Today, this poem is synonymous with Christmas and has served as a template for numerous, secular, Christmas traditions like Santa's entry through the chimney or the names of all the reindeer (except Rudolph, who wasn't introduced until 1939 through a department store promotion). But, I digress. Let me get back to the point, which is that Christmas in New York City is very special.

Central Park

If you're lucky, as I have been in years past, there will be snow on the ground during the holidays. There's something about snow and Christmas in New York City, that makes this California girl a tad emotional.

My favorite place to enjoy this combination is Central Park, especially during golden hour.

Harlem Meer Christmas Tree Flotilla

Keep strolling after dark and you will see illuminated trees throughout the park during the Christmas season. One of the most special light displays is at the Harlem Meer, which is at the northern end of Central Park. There, you'll find a flotilla of lighted Christmas trees gliding across the water.

Favorite Christmas Trees in Manhattan

Speaking of which, Christmas trees abound in New York City. Virtually every shop and restaurant has a tree and endless Christmas decorations.

Ritz Carlton Tree

I photographed the tree above at the Ritz Carlton while catching up with a friend at the bar. It is beautiful indeed, but it doesn't make my list of favorites. Since there are too many to cover in this one post, I will limit myself to my top three favorite Christmas trees in Manhattan.

Bryant Park Tree

In third place is the tree at Bryant Park. It is situated right in front of the skating rink ...

... on the other side of which is the Bryant Park fountain.

One of the reasons I like the Bryant Park tree so much is because I love the park's Winter Market that takes place during the holidays. The 17,000 square foot ice skating rink is surrounded by an expansive open-air Christmas market that is always buzzing with festive energy. Stop by and pick up gifts for loved ones or yourself.

If shopping isn't your thing, grab one of the many hot drinks to keep warm while you take in the holiday magic. This year, I strolled through Winter Village with one of my favorite friends, catching up, tasting hot sauces and sipping on this hot apple cider, topped with whipped cream and half a sugared donut.

Washington Square Park

In second place for favorite NYC tree, is the Washington Square Park Christmas tree. It is centered and framed by the grand, Washington Square Park Arch in Greenwich Village. The first time I went to see the 45-foot evergreen this year, it had yet to be lit.

I had to brave the 30 degree weather, plus wind chill, to return and see it aglow. It was completely worth it.

I have two fun facts about Washington Square Park:

1) Did you know that you can see the Empire State Building through the Washington Square Park Arch? Look just to the left of the Christmas tree and you can see the Empire State Building spire, an Art Deco pinnacle.

2) On the northwest corner of the park, you'll find Elma (The Hangman's Elm). She stands 130 feet tall and at over 300 years old, this English Elm is Manhattan's oldest, living tree.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

In first place, (drumroll please) is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Honestly, I think this is everyone's favorite tree. The Rockefeller Center tree was first put up in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression. An official tree lighting did not occur until 1933. Starting in 1951, the tree lighting was televised. Today, this tree is widely considered the world's most famous Christmas tree.

If you're wondering, this tree is real. Each year, a massive evergreen is chosen, usually a Norway Spruce, and donated by a family. The trees are typically 75-100 feet tall and are donated to Habitat for Humanity to build houses, after the Christmas season is over.

I am getting ahead of myself though. Before the tree is milled into lumber, it is transported to Midtown Manhattan and placed in Rockefeller Center behind the Prometheus statue, for millions of visitors to see. The tree is dressed in 5 miles (about 50,000) of lights. Most impressive is the star atop the tree. Since 2018, the Rockefeller Center tree has been topped with the 900 pound, 9 foot (in diameter), Swarovski star. The star has 3 million crystals and 70 spikes.

The tree is breathtaking from every angle and at every time of day. That said, my favorite view of the tree has to be either looking west from Fifth Avenue, over the Channel Gardens, or ...

... up close at night when the lights seem to shine brightest and the ice rink is all lit up with snowflake projections.

Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue is a must visit during Christmas. Shopping or not, a stroll down this street, that is a global icon of luxury, is akin to a gallery walk. The window displays are imaginative and festively flamboyant.

Bergdorf Goodman

My favorite window displays almost always belong to Bergdorf Goodman. Though the themes change year to year, they usually center around New York City culture or celebration.

Whatever the theme, you are sure to find artistic, elaborate displays featuring handcrafted elements that subtly, or not so subtly, invoke the spirit of the season. Can you find the holiday insert in the window display above?

Van Cleef and Arpels

Even the stores with understated displays are holiday themed ...

Louis Vutton

... or simply all lit up.

Cartier

I particularly like the stores with light shows set to music. The outside of this jewelry store sparkles as brightly as the exquisite jewelry you'll find inside. Incidentally, if you're still shopping for my Christmas gift, I much prefer the red, leather box with the gold scroll trim to the cardboard box in robins-egg blue with the tidy, white bow (if you know, you know).

I wasn't able to get a great angle for a video of the Cartier display. This YouTube short however, captures what I couldn't.

Saks Fifth Avenue

The most famous of the light shows in Manhattan has to be at Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store. After a one year hiatus, it is back and sure to get you "back in the New York groove."

The light show features over 70,000 LEDs and runs every 10 minutes during the holiday season. Come check it out and you'll find yourself "simply having a wonderful Christmastime."

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Radio City Musical Hall

In addition to seeing all the trees, decorations and Christmas displays in Manhattan, I suggest seeing a Christmas performance. There are many options, but this year I chose to finally see the quintessential New York Christmas show, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.

With its sweeping arches and opulent decor, Radio City Musical Hall is an Art Deco landmark in New York City. Over the years it has hosted many legends including Prince, Dave Chappelle, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin.

Their most famous show however, is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The show takes place yearly during the holidays and stars the Radio City Rockettes.

The Rockettes got their start in 1925 in St. Louis as the "Missouri Rockets." In 1932, they relocated to New York City and their new home at Radio City Music Hall. The geographic change was accompanied by a name change to the Rockettes and in 1933, the first Christmas Spectacular debuted.

The Rockettes are America's longest running and most famous, precision dance company. This year they celebrated their 100th anniversary and I was fortunate to be in Manhattan to see them perform and celebrate.

That sums up most of the reasons I love spending the holidays in Manhattan. I'll conclude this post with the picture above, which is my favorite snapshot of what makes Christmas in Manhattan so exceptional. This is the view of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, framed by the iconic angels.

The 12 angels, all in a line, with their six-foot-long trumpets angled upward, make me think immediately of the Felix Mendelssohn piece. In 1739 Charles Wesley's poem was added to the musical composition, which we know today as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

The most popular verse reads:

"Hark! The herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.