During the holiday season, electric bills skyrocket all throughout New York City. Seeking to outdo one another, both private homes and established landmarks string up dazzling lights for you to marvel at in every direction you turn. Here’s where to go to see the most stunning New York Christmas Lights.

Spending Christmas in New York is really special – decorations and lights in the city remain unparalleled. The best way to explore the magic is by taking a guided tour. Find out which of the many New York Christmas Lights tours we personally recommend this year – we’ve done those ourselves!

The 13 best places to see the New York Christmas Lights

Every year, the holiday spirit takes over all five boroughs of New York. Though all Christmas decorations in NYC are beautiful, some are a little more impressive than others which is why we have picked out the absolute best places to see New York Christmas lights for you.

1. 01

   From Manhattan: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Bus Tour

   Bus Tour
   in
   Dyker Heights

   Our Highlight

   

   Since the tradition’s inception in the 1980s, this Brooklyn neighborhood’s decorations have become bigger and brighter every year. Now Dyker Heights is famous for its spectacular, over-the-top holiday decorations and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Strolling through the streets, passing one house after the other, you can see life-size Santas, snowmen, trees, and many other Christmas displays. To top the lavish decorations themselves, Christmas carols waft from outdoor speakers. If that doesn’t get you into the holiday spirit, what does?

   As some of the most exuberant New York Christmas Lights, a visit to Dyker Heights is a must during the holiday season. The small neighborhood starts looking like a magical Christmas village beginning the week after Thanksgiving. While you can choose to explore the massive light displays by yourself, we can hook you up with an interactive guided tour that lets you enjoy the highlights and maximize your experience.

   This is our guide to Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.

2. 02

   LuminoCity Festival

   Other Attraction
   in
   Outside of New York City

   

   This dynamic holiday light festival is coming to New York for the first time this year. You can expect an immersive wonderland set up on Randall’s Island Park from End of November through the first week of. The six-week-long holiday event covers 12 acres and is called The Winter Fantasy. It features a frozen world, consisting of various light installations, such as “the skating unicorn”, “the castle in the crowds”, “the frosted forest” and “the icy valley”. If you are looking for a great photo opportunity, the icy blue and white lights won’t disappoint you.

   To make your experience even more enjoyable, live performances and a holiday market offering lots of food and crafts will be present on the island as well. What better way to enjoy New York Christmas lights than with some delicious snacks?

   • When? Not officially announce yet for 2021.

3. 03

   Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show

   Other Shopping
   in
   Midtown Manhattan

   

   Saks Fifth Avenue does not only boast festive holiday windows but also an annual theatrical light show. Seeing the holiday light show at Saks has become a tradition for many locals and visitors. The light show is accompanied by music and repeats itself every 10 minutes from 5 pm to 11 pm.

   As some of the most spectacular Christmas Lights in NYC, you may imagine that the sidewalks are extremely crowded. Though that is completely true, it’s totally worth seeing the spectacle at least once.

   Besides the Light Show, Saks also decorated its windows!

4. 04

   Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

   Other Attraction
   in
   Midtown Manhattan

   

   Of course, the iconic Rockefeller Plaza is home to one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in NYC. It is a holiday beacon and the epicenter of New York’s holiday season. Crowds flock here like nowhere else in the city to see the impressive tree in person. Thousands of light bulbs drape the tree that is crowned by a new dazzling diamond Swarovski star every year. Apart from the tree itself, there are angels and adorned foliage sweetening the sight of the famous display.

   A special time to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is during its lighting ceremony. It always takes place the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. This year, it falls on Wednesday, Dec 1st 2021 and marks the 89th ceremony in its history. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is free to attend. To actually get a peek of the tree being lit at 8 pm, however, you need to be here many hours in advance.

   • When? December 1st – through January

5. 05

   Holidays Under The Stars at Time Warner Center

   Other Attraction
   in
   Hell’s Kitchen

   

   The Shops at Columbus Circle boast the largest specialty crafted display of illuminated color in the world! Twelve 14-foot handcrafted stars will be hanging from the ceiling inside the Time Warner Center. If you show up in the evening hours, know that there is a dazzling light show every half hour from 5 pm till closing. Access to the spectacle is free! The specialty exhibit “Holidays Under the Stars” is a true New York tradition and comes with extended shopping hours. Dine, shop and enjoy the entertainment after you visited Columbus Circle Holiday Market, one of the best Christmas markets in the city.

   STOP BY ON A MONDAY!

   To pair some of the best Christmas lights in NYC with an even more magical experience, come here on a Monday. That’s when Broadway Under the Stars takes place inside the Shops at Columbus Circle. Who doesn’t like a free light show and Broadway performance?

   • When? Not officially announced yet

6. 06

   Luminaries at Brookfield Place’s Winter Garden

   Other Attraction
   in
   Battery Park City

   

   This beautiful holiday light installation was designed by LAB at Rockwell. Glowing lanterns that change colors and intensity will light the room inside the winter garden at Brookfield Place. If you stay here long enough, you may even catch a winter-themed show that is displayed every 30 minutes. They are one of my favorite New York Christmas lights, complemented by the alluring ambiance of Brookfield Place.

   Brookfield Place is also a great destination to do some holiday shopping and connects to the Westfield shopping center inside the Oculus. When you’ve finished all your seasonal gift purchases, it’s great to sit down on the stairs inside the Winter Garden and enjoy the show.

   • When? Not officially announced, yet.

7. 07

   Rolf’s Restaurant

   Other Restaurants
   in
   Gramercy

   

   Rolf’s German Restaurant in Gramercy Park draws thousands of visitors and locals to its location. Why? It features some of the most over-the-top holiday decorations starting in November. It is not a typical location to see New York Christmas Lights, yet it made it on our list. You won’t find another restaurant with over-the-top holiday decorations like this one. The restaurant is transformed into a veritable fairytale, made up of thousands of ornaments hanging from the ceiling. The elaborate decorations alone make dining here worth it.

8. 08

   Radio City Music Hall Decorations

   Other Attraction
   in
   Midtown Manhattan

   

   Radio City Music Hall is a famous New York concert venue, in part due to its world-famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. When you arrive, you will be overawed by the jolly exterior decorated with a Christmas tree for the holiday season. Across the street from it, giant tree ornaments provide the perfect holiday photo op for your next Christmas card. They are worth seeing during both the day and evening, as they are also illuminated once the sun sets.

   While visiting to see some of the best Christmas decorations in NYC do not miss the Radio City Spectacular. The Christmas show is obligatory if you are in New York during the holiday season.

9. 09

   Shine On at Hudson Yards

   Other Events
   in
   Hudson Yards

   

   Starting at the end of November, you can enjoy a spectacular light show at Hudson Yards titled “Shine On”. It’s one of the newest Christmas light displays in New York City. Shine On is an indoor-outdoor light and music installation. Every day at 5 pm, “the moments” invite spectators to get dazzled by a visual spectacle that is synchronized to festive music.

   • When? Not officially announced, yet.

10. 10

    Lantern Fest Fridays at Snug Harbor

    Other Attraction
    in
    Staten Island

    The Winter Lantern Festival takes place at Snug Harbor, Staten Island, and feature large light installations. At the Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, a whimsical world will be created with over 1,000 lanterns across 8 acres. Lights, shows, and exhibits will be different from last year’s display, making it worth a returning visit even for those who partook last year. So if you’re looking to see some gorgeous Christmas displays in New York, Staten Island should be on your list!

    • When? Fridays in December

11. 11

    Santa’s Corner

    Other Attraction
    in
    Flushing

    The most spectacular Christmas lights in New York are not only in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Queens should also be on your radar if you are on the hunt for a magical Christmas light experience. Here, you will find an alternative to the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn.

    Whitestone homeowner Kevin Lynch drapes his house in thousands of twinkling lights once again. What can you see here? Nutcrackers, Santas, snowmen: you name it! Can you believe that it takes him about three months to set up the decorations? Santa’s Corner, along with all the other beautiful Christmas lights in NYC, truly fosters the holiday spirit. For some of you, the name may ring a bell. That’s for good reason: Lynch was featured on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” where he won the competition.

    • Where? the intersection of 166th Street and 23rd Avenue

12. 12

    Hello Panda Festival

    Other Events
    in
    Flushing

    

    Hello Panda prides itself in being the largest lantern festival in North America. What that means for you: more magical holiday light displays. The stadium does not only feature lantern exhibits but also live entertainment and a holiday market, making a perfect spot to spend the evening.

    • When? Not officially announced, yet.

13. 13

    Central Park Holiday Lighting

    Other Events
    in
    Harlem & Washington Heights

    

    Images from the 23rd Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park at the Harlem Meer.

    The Annual Central Park Holiday Lighting is always held in December near the Harlem Meer in Central Park and draws several hundred New Yorkers each year. It is a free event, a choir sings and there are a few Christmas booths with delicious food and drinks.

    • When? Not officially announced, yet.

The Best New York Christmas Lights Tours for 2021

There are six Holiday Light tours in New York we can recommend. Each of them is a little different: some are bus tours, others are walking tours; some take place in Brooklyn, others in Manhattan. See the details for yourself to decide which ones of the New York Christmas lights tour is best for you.

The Christmas lights tours in Brooklyn focus around Dyker Heights (here is our guide to Dyker Heights Christmas Lights). The festive neighborhood showcases the most popular Christmas decorations in NYC by far. Needless to say, the tours here are also the most popular holiday lights tours in New York. Coming here, you have the option to explore the festive neighborhood on foot or by bus.

The Christmas lights tours in Manhattan are both small-group walking tours that will show you the most beautiful Christmas lights New York has to offer. The longer holiday lights tour also includes New York’s most iconic Christmas markets. During the walk, you will learn interesting facts about each landmark that will make you appreciate the lights even more. Of course, there will be plenty of time to take photos and drink hot cocoa, too!

Any of these NYC Christmas lights tours offers you a magical experience. Your choice mainly depends on whether you want to stay in Manhattan or head to Brooklyn and whether you want to walk or go by bus!

FAQ about Christmas lights in New York

When do Christmas lights go up in New York?

Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season in New York. From this point on, the first Christmas lights can be seen in New York, the shop windows are decorated and the Christmas markets are open!