Where to see stunning holiday lights in NYC

The fabulous holiday icon of NYC, The Rockefeller Christmas Tree, is a must-see for both locals and visitors during the holiday season, whether you’re visiting before ice-skating on The Rink at Rockefeller Center or just passing through.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit daily from 5am to midnight. On Christmas Day, the tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am to 9pm. The tree goes dark for the season at 10pm on January 13.

On the day after Thanksgiving, the neighborhood of Dyker Heights undergoes a transformation, as residents along several blocks in the area festoon their homes with elaborate holiday decorations. And we're not talking about a Christmas tree or a simple nativity scene: Among the kitschy pieces you might see are life-size reindeer, huge inflatable Santas and snowmen, Christmas carols blaring from loudspeakers and tens of thousands of lights.

Bryant Park transforms into a winter wonderland each year, with ice skating, hot drinks, a cozy lodge, and a spectacular Christmas tree. 

While you're there admiring the decor, also check out holiday shops where you can check off everyone on your list. Even if you’re simply passing by this Christmas utopia, take a moment to grab some hot cocoa, sit back and admire the magic.

Folks walking through Dante Park on Broadway and 64th Street on the Upper West Side will delight in a new immersive installation called "Magical Lights." Eight giant trees there have been adorned with hundreds of strands of resplendent hanging vines that react to the sounds and movements of the public.

When participating in one of the many scheduled singalongs, you'll basically activate the decor, with light dances and changing colors taking over the space to create a pretty surreal sensory experience.

The activation is presented by the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District as part of a slew of other holiday-related programs on site, including the annual WinteRamble on December 21. On that winter solstice, visitors will get to admire an illuminated community procession of Frost Giant puppets and icicle lanterns. You can check out the full program list right here. 

Turns out, getting to the North Pole isn't so tough after all. "The Santa Clauses' Winter Wonderland," a portal to Santa Claus' hometown, has opened at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in the Seaport. 

Typically a concert venue, the rooftop has been transformed into an immersive holiday experience inspired by Disney's "The Santa Clauses." Expect hot cocoa, skating and plenty of fun photo opps.

Find all the fun at 89 South Street through January 7, 2024. Tickets start at $25/person. Most activities are hosted outdoors, so be sure to bundle up in your coziest winter attire. 

For the first time ever, Luna Park in Coney Island will be open during the winter for a new event called Frost Fest. The park will be open on select dates through January 7 with legendary rides on site, a skating rink, holiday lights, shopping and Santa.

Tickets for the experience—offered on select weekdays and holidays, plus Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays—are now available here.

Saks Fifth Avenue’s ten-story facade makes this department store a can’t-miss stop on your Christmas lights tour. This year, the store is debuting a clock-like zodiac display as part of its annual holiday initiative it’s doing in partnership with Dior.

Dior came up with the idea of a magical Carousel of Dreams with Dior codes such as the star and the clover as well as the signs of the Zodiac, "evoking the founding-couturier’s unique legacy and his lucky charms." It will be embellished with "a profusion of flowers," that will be lit up every night in a dazzling light show. Saks' windows will follow suit, with Dior styles and symbols installed in a "dreamlike" display. 

See the Carousel of Dreams between November 20 and January 5. Typically the show runs about two minutes long and repeats every seven to eight minutes.

Home to the incredible, high-kicking Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall is one of the most cheerful and well-lit landmarks during the merriest time of year. It’s no shock since the venue is known for its always-packed holiday show: Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Its twinkling Christmas tree is certainly captivating enough to make us want to stop and take a photo or two.

While taking a winter stroll through the iconic Central Park, it’s worth stopping by the Plaza Hotel to enjoy the hospitable venue’s lovely holiday decorations. From Christmas wreaths adorned with ornaments, to pine-covered trimmings covered with rows of white lights, the view could cheer up even the Scroogiest New Yorker.

To make the most of the experience, treat yourself to afternoon tea while you're there.

The holiday decor experts at American Christmas have opened their doors to the public for a holiday extravaganza featuring 100,000 lights, 100 captivating animatronics and figurines in nine uniquely themed areas. This larger-than-life display is sure to dazzle. Tickets are on sale here for the experience just outside of NYC in Mt. Vernon.

This is the third year that American Christmas has hosted its public Holiday Lane event, and this year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. Twice the size of last year's display, this iteration of Holiday Lane at American Christmas begins with a chance to write a note to Santa. Then, meet some reindeer, visit a land of sugar plum fairies, peek into the elves' quarters and explore the icy beauty of the Arctic.

Finally, end the trip at an area called Santa's Take Off where Santa's sleigh gets ready for its journey around the world. Santa himself will even be there on select days.

‘Tis the season for tinsel, ornaments, and all things merry and bright. In true New York fashion, some hotels simply go above and beyond when it comes to the most wonderful time of the year. Even if you feel more like Scrooge or the Grinch this holiday season, we have a feeling these hotels and their over-the-top decor will manage to make you smile thanks to their festive charm whether you stay there or visit for a tipple.

From FiDi to Brooklyn and beyond, here's where to go to admire the lights and snap some holiday photos.

This bar and grill combines traditional German food and beer with a healthy serving of kitsch, notably with its annual Christmas decorations. Year-round, you can enjoy a wide range of German dishes, especially meats and sausages, while an array of faux medieval paintings peeks out behind meticulously entwined oak branches.