2011 Christmas Windows

Christmas windows are a traditional part of New York City during the holidays. Every year the famous department stores decorate their storefront windows with holiday themes. People come from far and wide to gaze at the dreamy scenes.

For department store locations, view the Christmas Windows Map at the bottom of the page.

Lord & Taylor

Theme: What is Christmas Made Of?

For another year, the windows at Lord & Taylor come out on top (in our humble opinion). The charming and life-like scenes depict the best of holiday activities - families baking, ice skating, playing in the snow, and decorating trees. The attention to detail is as impressive as always and cheery holiday music compliments the fun scenes. These Christmas windows will lift your spirits and remind your of everything that is wonderful about the holidays.

Store Location: Fifth Avenue and 39th Street

Essential New York City Guide Tip
While you're in the area...Combine your visit to the Lord & Taylor windows with a trip to the nearby Bryant Park Ice Skating Rink and Holiday Shops (Sixth Avenue and 40th Street).

Macy’s

Theme: "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" / Make a Wish

A corner store, Macy's always has two sets of windows on display. The windows along the 34th Street side of Macy's display the classic theme of little Virginia's letter to The Sun asking if there really is a Santa Clause. The windows along Broadway are as flashy, whimsical, and contemporary as the 34th Street windows are traditional.

The Broadway windows illustrate wishes being transformed into Christmas ornaments, with moving string puppets that look like circus characters. Interactive touch screens on the last window let you design your own ornament.

Store Location: Broadway and 34th Street

Saks Fifth Avenue

Theme: Land of the Bubblemakers

Once again, the Saks windows are very retail-oriented. The main focus of each scene is a mannequin dressed in fine clothing that is sold inside the store. While the windows are skip-able, their close proximity to Rockefeller Center make them an easy stop-over while viewing the other area decorations. There is also a short light show projected onto the side of the Saks building at night. It is best viewed from across the street.

Essential New York City Guide Tip
While you're in the area...Saks is located across Fifth Avenue from Rockefeller Center, making it an easy stop while enjoying the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the rest of the decorations in Rock Center. Beware that these windows also attract large crowds due to this location.

Store Location: Fifth Avenue and 49th Street (across from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree)

Bloomingdale’s

Theme: Vintage Shopping Bags

The Bloomingdale's Christmas windows display large versions of their most popular shopping bags from years past. The holiday-themed bags open to reveal animated scenes that further elaborate on what's pictured on the outside of the bag. Several of the windows are set up with cameras. When you press a big star, your picture is taken and frozen on screens above the windows. Great amusement for kids and adults alike!

Store Location: Lexington Avenue and 59th Street

Bergdorf Goodman

Theme: Carnival of Animals

The more I stared, the more I appreciated these elaborate window scenes. Each window has it's own material and color scheme and all feature animals surrounding a women in fancy clothing. If you can forget about being romanced by charming holiday scenes (which they are not), perhaps you can enjoy the artistic aspect and extreme attention to detail instead.

Store Location: Fifth Avenue and 57th Street

Barneys

Theme: Gaga's Workshop

As a nod to Barneys' in-store promotion of Lady Gaga items, several of the store's windows area Gaga-inspired. The windows include Gaga's Boudoir, a dressing room scene where everything is made out of hair, and Gaga's Crystal Cave, a glowing blue scene with mermaids. "Holiday" windows might be a stretch, but at least they are interesting to look at.

Store Location: 660 Madison Avenue and 61st Street

New York Christmas Windows Map

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View Christmas Windows in a larger map

	Barney's - Madison Avenue and 61st Street
	Bergdorf Goodman - Fifth Avenue and 57th Street
	Bloomingdale's - Lexington Avenue and 59th Street
	Saks Fifth Avenue - Fifth Avenue and 49th Street
	Lord & Taylor - Fifth Avenue and 39th Street
	Macy's - Broadway and 34th Street

If you don't have time to see them all...

The window displays at Lord & Taylor and Macy’s are hard to beat. They have great Christmas themes and the scenes move and change in front of your eyes. They are also the two most kid-friendly of all the department store windows.