Hi friends, welcome back! There’s nothing more magical than NYC at Christmastime, especially walking down Fifth Avenue and seeing all the holiday window displays. It seems like each department store chose a similar theme of optimism and holiday cheer, and went festively over the top with each window after a subdued Christmas last year. I walked up and down Fifth a few different times to get pictures at different times of the day. The fewer crowds during the day are nice, but there’s nothing like all the twinkling at night. I started on 59th Street and made my way south towards Rockefeller and Saks on 50th Street.
The Pulitzer Fountain across the street from The Plaza Hotel has been turned into a winter wonderland featuring handmade penguins, polar bears, and seals. Some of the statues skate to music around a track inside the fountain and it’s such a neat sight to watch.
In front of the fountain is the world’s largest menorah. It’s 32 feet tall and 28 feet wide. The lights around the menorah honor the lives of those who passed away during the pandemic.
The poor Plaza Hotel is covered in scaffolding. In 2019 they weren’t letting anyone besides hotel guests in to see the decorations but this year I walked right in (during the week), and as I walked to the side to get my picture, a guy got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. She thought he was joking but luckily she said yes! You never know what you’ll see in NYC at Christmastime 🙂
Some larger-than-life candy canes next to Bergdorf Goodman.
Now for the real star of Christmas on Fifth Avenue, the Bergdorf Goodman window displays. The theme of this years window displays is “The Present Moment”.
How epic is this gingerbread house! When I went back a few days later it was gone
It amazes me how much detail is in each window display.
These were my two favorites of all the windows, but it was very difficult to pick.
Louis Vuitton’s 12-story Christmas tree seems to be very popular this year.
Along the sidewalk there are larger than life toys scattered around that twinkle with lights at night.
I’m a sucker for some greenery and lights!
One of my favorite spots along Fifth Avenue is the Peninsula Hotel. Their holiday display is always one of my favorites and I had it all to myself!
The Cartier building looking fancy and festive! This is also one of my favorite displays each year.
How fun is the Lego store! The amount of detail in their window displays amazes me.
After the Lego store you can stop by the adorable Ralph’s Coffee for coffee or hot chocolate before heading to Rockefeller next door.
Last stop of the tour, the Bloomingdales window displays. This is technically on Lexington Avenue and not Fifth Avenue, but it fits in with the others. Their theme is “Give Happy” and they depict cheer and optimism with six festive and fun window displays.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of Christmas on Fifth Avenue! I had the most magical time viewing all of the window displays and decorations and wish I could walk through every day. What’s your favorite spot along Fifth Avenue?
More great Christmas scenes Lyssy. NYC certainly dresses up for the holidays. Thanks for sharing. Allan
NYC certainly went all out this year, glad you enjoyed!
I must see that fountain with the penguins!
It was so cute!
Great job capturing all of this!!!! I wish I had the skills for window designs. Sooo cool. I used to love to drink martinis on the top of the Peninsula!!! The last time I was there, I didn’t love the vibe. Maybe I’ll try it again 🤔
Thank you!! I can’t imagine how much work decorating each window was. Oh fun! I’ve seen some pictures/videos of the bar and it looks really cool, maybe I’ll drag Jon 🙂
Those shop windows are absolutely beautiful Lyssy.
Thank you! I agree, must’ve been a lot of work to make them so beautiful!
Wow!
Fifth Avenue did not disappoint this year!
NYC is always fabulously OTT
Yes, I love it!
Nice collection; the night shots seem to capture the atmosphere better and this Cartier shop always makes a strong impression.
Thank you! At night does capture it all best 🙂
All of your posts are making me really want to go to NYC around Christmas time!
I hope you do make it to NYC for Christmas, it’s such a magical time!
The B-G and Bloomingdale’s windows are a little too out there for me (other than the quaint gingerbread house). I’ll take the simple elegance of the Plaza (or the slightly over-the-top of the Peninsula) instead. Speaking of the Plaza, you and Jon should have a stay-cation there one of these days, unless it’s utterly cost-prohibitive. Would make for a great post!
They are quite out there, there’s so much going on in each window for sure! The Plaza is quite pricey, I think the cheapest room is about 700 per night during the week. It would be fun, maybe one day!
Wow, New York certainly knows how to do Christmas! So beautiful!
NYC did Christmas big this year, I loved it!
Amazing – the gingerbread house is my favourite 🙂
My gingerbread house definitely didn’t turn out that nice ha!