The dazzling Christmas window displays in New York add an extra layer of fun and festivity to holiday shopping in the city.
The holidays in NYC begin at Rockefeller Center. Located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center holds a prominent place in the city’s folklore and culture. Whether you want to enjoy spectacular views of the Big Apple from Top of the Rock, or visit the Christmas tree, or practice your best moves on the ice skating rink, or catch a performance at Radio City Music Hall, an iconic family-friendly experience awaits.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
For more than eight decades, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has stood as a holiday beacon for New Yorkers and visitors alike. While the lights, decorations, and stars have changed through the years, visiting the Tree remains a quintessential New York experience. To know more about the history of the Christmas tree lighting visit Rockefeller Centre’s official website.
Every year on December 1 Rockefeller Center kicks off the holiday season in New York City with the lighting of the Christmas Tree, considered the “worldwide symbol of Christmas,”. The stunning lighting ceremony takes place at 45 Rockefeller Plaza for all to see, bringing a festive glow and holiday cheer to the area.
This year’s Norway spruce hails from East Greenbush, New York, weighs in at about 12 tons, and stands 80 feet tall. — has been decorated with 50,000 50,000 multicolored lights and topped with a dazzling Swarovski crystal star.
For those hoping to bask in the glow of the Rockefeller Center Tree, the plaza offers the classic New York vantage point—crowds, carols, and that unmistakable holiday hum. Glide onto The Rink and you’ll get the postcard-perfect moment: the towering spruce glittering just overhead as you skate beneath it. If you’re after a more cinematic perspective, head to Top of the Rock, where exclusive Tree access during the season pairs with sweeping skyline views. From up there, the city unfurls in lights, and the plaza below becomes the kind of holiday scene you’ll want to photograph—and remember—forever.
Dining at Rockefeller Center:
Between the tree lighting, ice skating and catching the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, fuel up at one of these delicious restaurants nearby. From steak to desserts, Rockefeller center has plenty to offer the tourist (or local) looking for a great dining experience.
1. Alidoro: A New York institution with Italian soul, Alidoro has been perfecting the art of the sandwich for more than three decades. Inspired by the classic panini of Italy but reimagined with the city’s signature flair, it serves up creations that are as thoughtful as they are unforgettable—layered, generous, and crafted with the kind of precision that turns a simple sandwich into a small work of art.
2. Blue Bottle Coffee: Tucked just off 48th Street on the Rink Level—steps away from the whirl of skaters and holiday crowds—Blue Bottle Coffee offers a sleek, minimalist refuge from Midtown’s relentless pulse. It’s the kind of spot where the hum softens, the espresso shines, and for a moment, the city feels perfectly in rhythm.
3. Chipotle: A quick escape for something warm, bold, and satisfying, Chipotle serves its signature lineup of made-to-order burritos, tacos, fajitas, and hearty salads. Choose from barbacoa, beef, chicken, carnitas, or vegetarian fillings, all assembled fresh and fast—perfect for refueling between holiday stops in Midtown.
4. City Winery: City Winery operates a 7-day-a-week outdoor pop-up wine garden, featuring locally-crafted wine on tap. Enhance your experience with a Mediterranean-inspired menu offering charcuterie, cheeses, burrata, and other delightful options.
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5. Eataly Caffè: Eataly’s newest concept has chosen Rockefeller Center for its very first global outpost—and it arrives with all the charm of an Italian piazza in miniature. Step inside for an authentic coffee bar experience, fragrant pastries, silky gelato, convenient grab-and-go bites, and a curated selection of Italian staples to take home. It’s a little taste of Italy, right in the heart of Midtown.
6. FieldTrip: Embark on a community-based dining journey that embraces culture through the communal enjoyment of rice. Explore diverse options such as the cilantro-lime rice paired with crispy fish and cornmeal-crusted cod, or the Carolina Gold vegetable fried rice accompanying fried chicken and assorted veggies – all priced at $12 or less.
7. Limani: In this Greek/Mediterranean establishment, a preference for fresh fish and authentic Hellenic home cooking is evident. The menu features main dishes such as wild black bass for two and char-grilled lobster served with broccoli rabe and feta, all within a modern, all-white ambiance.
8. Ladurée: The legendary Parisian patisserie has arrived in the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center, bringing a touch of French elegance to New York’s most festive corner. Framed by the iconic Christmas Tree, the ice rink, and glittering holiday displays, the boutique invites visitors to indulge in its signature macarons, jewel-like pastries, and seasonal collections. It’s a charming blend of French craftsmanship and New York holiday magic—an irresistible stop between gifts, lights, and lingering moments of celebration.
9. Magnolia Bakery: Magnolia Bakery presents a delightful array of freshly baked, classic American desserts, encompassing cupcakes, cakes, banana pudding, cheesecakes, muffins, pies, cookies, and brownies. Additionally, enjoy a diverse selection of coffee, tea, and iced beverages.
10. Pebble Bar: Set inside a storied four-story townhouse at Rockefeller Center, Pebble Bar revives one of New York’s most legendary drinking dens—an address whispered about for over a century by musicians, broadcasters, and a cast of famously eccentric regulars. Expect seafood towers and elevated bar snacks, alongside a cocktail program that pays homage to the decade-defining clubs and institutions that shaped the city’s nightlife. It’s lively, atmospheric, and unmistakably New York.
11. Rainbow Room: Rainbow Room has been a New York City classic since it’s opening in 1934 and is often the first choice to celebrate evening sundowners, special occasions, Sunday brunches, and rightly so. The sheer amount of food choices (seafood to meats, salads to vegetarian fare, and desserts to coffee), a revolving dance floor, combined with breathtaking views of the New York skyline epitomizing quintessential New York glamour, rising 65 stories above the landmark Rockefeller Center to host unforgettable moments, is an experience not to be missed.
12. Ralph’s Coffee Truck: Parked in Atlas Court along Fifth Avenue, Ralph’s Coffee Truck offers a charming pause from the Midtown rush. Sip espresso, coffee, or tea alongside fresh muffins and cookies, all enjoyed on the patio with views of Rockefeller Center’s holiday bustle. Ralph’s signature blends—Ralph’s Roast, Decaf, and Espresso—are crafted from organically grown beans sourced across Central and South America and Africa, then roasted and packaged by La Colombe in Philadelphia. It’s a stylish little detour with distinctly Ralph Lauren flair.
13. Shake Shack: An elevated take on the American roadside stand, Shake Shack has built a devoted following on the strength of its made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hand-spun shakes, and house-made lemonades—comfort classics done with unmistakable polish. Add in warm, effortless hospitality and a knack for creating feel-good moments, and it’s no surprise the Shack has grown into a modern cult favorite. Perfect for a quick bite between holiday stops, it delivers quality, consistency, and that familiar New York buzz.
14. The Weather Room: When it comes to New York, there’s nothing more iconic than Top of the Rock. With its spectacular, 360-degree cityscape views, there’s now even more to take in. The Weather Room, newly opened on the 67th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, brings visitors a grandiose experience in the clouds, complete with classic cocktails, a contemporary wine list, and local casual bites. The Weather Room is a quintessential New York City destination offering a panoramic all-day cafe and bar.
Other Stunning Christmas Window Displays On Fifth Avenue
NYC’s Christmas and holiday window displays at department stores rank among the top holiday attractions. These intricate holiday windows adorned with numerous Christmas lights and enchanting winter wonderland decorations are truly awe-inspiring, making a leisurely stroll through midtown worthwhile.
1. Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show
After a brief hiatus in 2024, the beloved Saks Fifth Avenue holiday light show returns this season with a newly reimagined spectacle—bigger, brighter, and every bit as enchanting as New Yorkers remember. A cascade of lights dances across the store’s façade, choreographed to music in a display that turns Fifth Avenue into a festive theater. The magic continues along the windows, where six immersive vignettes bring quintessential New York holiday moments to life—from a snow-dusted rowboat gliding through Central Park to a glittering, storybook-style tree.
You’ll find it all at 611 Fifth Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets—perfectly positioned just across from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the iconic ice rink.
2. Cartier
Nothing beats the sensation of seeing a red Cartier box sitting under a Christmas tree. But what does come close is looking at the larger-than-life, sparkling red ribbon that wraps around the jeweler’s Fifth Avenue store. Window displays at Cartier feature its famous red airship, along with paper-thin gold sculptures of the architectural features of its store, like windows and a staircase. But the most dazzling parts of its decor are lit-up clouds along the building and a giant red Cartier airship hovering among them.
3. Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman has unveiled its 2025 holiday windows—and once again, Fifth Avenue has its showstopper. A perennial favorite among lovers of haute window dressing, Bergdorf’s never misses the mark, and this year’s theme, “The Bergdorf Soirée,” might be one of its most enchanting yet. Each window invites passersby into a fantastical fête, capturing the spirit of New York nights with scenes that are equal parts opulent, witty, and meticulously crafted. Among the standouts: the whimsical “Costume Party” tableau celebrating creative professions, where a poet clacks away at a typewriter, an architect stands poised with drafting tools, and a costume designer brandishes oversized shears and a gleaming needle. Equally mesmerizing is the “New Year’s Eve Countdown” window—a shimmering constellation of clocks, crystals, and kinetic details that seem to pulse with anticipation. And of course, the delightfully cheeky “Party Animals” scene adds a playful note to the soirée.
4. Macy’s
Macy’s has long mastered the art of tugging at the holiday heartstrings, and this year’s windows are a warm embrace of pure seasonal nostalgia. Under the theme “The Most Wonderful Stories Start Here,” the displays celebrate both Macy’s rich heritage and the storied history of 34th Street. Each vignette nods to a milestone moment—Santa’s very first arrival in 1861, the debut of the department store’s window displays in 1874, and the inaugural Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924—woven together with the charm and whimsy that make these windows a beloved New York tradition. It’s a sentimental journey through time, rendered in lights, color, and imagination.
5. Bloomingdale’s
This season, Bloomingdale’s and Burberry have teamed up for a delightfully unexpected, medieval-meets-modern holiday window along Lexington Avenue. The sprawling display wraps an entire side of the building in Burberry’s iconic plaid, setting the stage for nearly a dozen iron-clad knights—each charmingly accessorized with a Burberry scarf.
The scenes are irresistibly playful: some knights trim a Christmas tree, another pounds out a tune on the piano while his companions sip espresso martinis, and one makes a dramatic dash down the stairs clutching a stuffed bear as another attempts an escape up the chimney. t’s whimsical, theatrical, and unmistakably Bloomingdale’s—holiday fantasy with a cheeky British twist.
6. Nordstrom
This holiday season, Nordstrom’s NYC flagship has reinvented itself as a vibrant, interactive wonderland titled “Oh, What Funhouse!”—a playful mix of color, whimsy, and immersive theatrics. Outside, the windows glow in shades of pink and purple, framed by rows of Christmas trees that turn the corner of 57th Street into a festive fever dream. Inside, the entire five-level store becomes a multi-sensory experience designed to delight and surprise.
The journey begins at the 57th Street entrance, where visitors step through a glowing LED tunnel filled with floating metallic letters spelling out “Oh, What Fun!” Shoppers then receive a Gift Expert Guide, leading them through elevator rides themed around each of the five senses. Along the way, you collect stickers, notes, and playful clues meant to spark inspired gifting ideas—and those who complete all five levels earn a coveted title: Certified Gift Expert.
7. Tiffany & Co.
New York City’s Tiffany & Co. flagship has turned its Fifth Avenue façade into a shimmering “canvas of dreams and love in all its forms.” This season, The Landmark’s windows feel like miniature snow globes brought to life: glowing, glass-like snowballs illuminate radiant diamond bracelets, while floating doves, sculpted icicles, and snow-dusted white trees surround the scene. And, of course, Tiffany’s iconic little blue boxes appear like tiny promises tucked into the winter magic. It’s elegance, fantasy, and romance—distilled into a perfect Fifth Avenue moment.
Source and Images: Rockefeller Centre
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Manoj Chopra or “Chops” as he is known to his friends and colleagues is a chef, restaurateur, and hotelier, and has had the joy and satisfaction of cooking, serving and watching people enjoy his food for over 40 years! As a ‘Punjab da puttar’, the joy of hearty, home cooked food is in the genes; all he had to do was to live up to it! Manoj Chopra’s journey has been fascinating, to say the least, and from cooking a meal for one of India’s most famous leaders to a stint in Baghdad, to setting up a hotel in Mumbai to starting an Indian restaurant in San Francisco, “Chops” has done it all and more.
Manoj lives in New York and is a Food Columnist with Travel and Food Network! Sharing his experience and knowledge is something he is hugely passionate about and to be part of the Travel and Food Network “community” gives him a chance to do just that.
