Holiday windows and displays in New York City 2012

Take the family on a tour of this year's stunning department store holiday windows including brand-new displays at favorites like Macy's and Lord & Taylor.

By Time Out Kids staff Fri Nov 16 2012

Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Macy's holiday windows 2012: "The Magic of Christmas"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Macy's holiday windows 2012: "The Magic of Christmas"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Macy's holiday windows 2012: "The Magic of Christmas"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Macy's holiday windows 2012: "The Magic of Christmas"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Macy's holiday windows 2012: "The Magic of Christmas"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Bloomingdale's holiday window display - Cirque de Soleil: Worlds Away
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Bloomingdale's holiday window display - Cirque de Soleil: Worlds Away
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Bloomingdale's holiday window display - Cirque de Soleil: Worlds Away
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Bloomingdale's holiday window display - Cirque de Soleil: Worlds Away
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Bloomingdale's holiday window display - Cirque de Soleil: Worlds Away
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Henri Bendel holiday windows 2012: 1920s fashion
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Henri Bendel holiday windows 2012: 1920s fashion
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Henri Bendel holiday windows 2012: 1920s fashion
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Lord & Taylor's Holiday Window Display "Santa Claus' Day Off"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Lord & Taylor's Holiday Window Display "Santa Claus' Day Off"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Lord & Taylor's Holiday Window Display "Santa Claus' Day Off"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Lord & Taylor's Holiday Window Display "Santa Claus' Day Off"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Lord & Taylor's Holiday Window Display "Santa Claus' Day Off"
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows 2012: Snowflake Spectacular
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows 2012: Snowflake Spectacular
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows 2012: Snowflake Spectacular
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Tiffany & Co. holiday window displays 2012
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Tiffany & Co. holiday window displays 2012
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Jessica Lin

Tiffany & Co. holiday window displays 2012
Photograph: Jessica Lin
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Barneys holiday windows 2012: "Electric Holiday"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Barneys holiday windows 2012: "Electric Holiday"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Barneys holiday windows 2012: "Electric Holiday"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Barneys holiday windows 2012: "Electric Holiday"
Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Barneys holiday windows 2012: "Electric Holiday"

Photograph: Nadia Chaudhury

Macy's holiday windows 2012: "The Magic of Christmas"

It just doesn’t feel like the holidays in New York City until the department store window displays go up, transforming Fifth Avenue and the surrounding areas into a festive bastion of glitter, cheer and animatronic Santas. We recommend making a day of it with the family: Grab a cup of hot chocolate and then check out some of our favorites including Bloomingdale’s Cirque du Soleil-inspired display, Macy’s more classic depiction of holiday traditions and Barneys ode to Disney and fashion in “Electric Holiday.” Before your crew heads out, scroll through our slide show, above, to get a preview of the windows. Below, we've also listed more information about each store—click through to get extra details about the displays and department store-specifc pictures. We'll be adding more photos as each store unveils their windows.

RECOMMENDED: Christmas for kids in New York City