The holiday comes to us: where to find the best Christmas decorations in New York

Right after Thanksgiving, New York turns into a magical wonderland with millions of holiday lights. Good to know where in the Big Apple to find the best Christmas lights. Time-out. Moreover, some holiday installations have already been installed.

You'll see incredible inflatable Santas and reindeer at the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn, as well as more iconic New York locations like Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue. So get ready to ooh and aah at these attractions, holiday markets, and neighborhoods that create some of New York's most spectacular Christmas light shows.

1. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

The day after Thanksgiving, the Dyker Heights neighborhood is undergoing a makeover. Residents of several neighborhoods decorate their homes with exquisite holiday decorations. And we're not talking about a Christmas tree or a simple nativity scene. Among the kitschy figures you can see are life-sized reindeer, giant inflatable Santas, snowmen, Christmas carols blaring from loudspeakers, and tens of thousands of lights.

2. Holiday light show at the Bronx Zoo

Bright seasonal celebration at the zoo Bronx with animated lights and LED displays of animals from all over the world returns this year. The zoo will have around 260 animal lanterns on five geographically representative safaris from around the world. There are 79 new lanterns installed this year, representing 30 new animal species, including brand new walruses and guanacos!

In addition, the Forest of Flowers awaits with 21 brand new, larger-than-life lanterns representing toads, frogs, snails, sunbirds, turtles, moths, butterflies and more. Entertainment will include holiday music, ice figurines, costumed characters, walkers, a holiday train, a wildlife theatre, souvenirs and seasonal treats such as hot chocolate and sweets.

3. New York Botanical Garden Glow

Let the New York Botanic Gardens shine this year at the second annual NYBG Glow! Street lighting will decorate the territory with thousands of energy-saving LED lights and festive installations.

After dark, you can stroll through this extended 2,5-kilometre colorful complex with even more illuminated displays than last year, including plant stories and quirky, immaculate installations reflecting the surrounding gardens and collections with the Haupt Conservatory and Merz Library building as luminous central elements.

All this is the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot at a family holiday. In addition, there will be dance performances, ice carving demonstrations and other seasonal activities (including refreshments). Tickets that can be combined with tickets for the Festive Train Show for a little more money are on sale now. Learn more about the new internet security measures.

4. Rockefeller Center

Yes, Rockefeller Center is a major tourist trap during the holidays, but its beauty cannot be denied. (You can be a jaded New Yorker and still not be the Grinch.) Enjoy a giant Norway spruce lit up by thousands of LED lights, as well as golden angels. Needless to say, this eye-catching attraction puts it in a festive mood.

5. Festive lighting in Central Park

For more than 20 years, the Central Park Conservancy has been lighting the Charles A. Dun Center with holiday lights and chiming seasonally with Santa Claus carrying hot cocoa. This year the coverage will be virtual. Families will be able to listen to or join in the holiday carols. Ice carvers at Okamoto Studios carve in place a nutcracker and a polar bear. The event is scheduled for 17:30 pm December 2, but the lights are on throughout the holiday season.

6. Shops and restaurants in Hudson Yards

Catch some dazzling scenery and over a million lights on Hudson Yards during the Shine Bright at Hudson Yards event. From Christmas trees to hot air balloons, lights sparkle all around The Vessel, which is lit on each of its tiers, as well as inside the mall.

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7. Pulitzer Fountain at Grand Army Square

The Pulitzer Fountain on Fifth Avenue has been turned into a winter wonderland for the holidays.

On November 17, the Fifth Avenue Association unveiled the Fifth Season installation featuring 32 handmade animal sculptures by Harlequin Designs. Light decorations reach a length of 1500 meters. In addition, a skating rink and 24 handmade icebergs were installed near the fountain. All this splendor is accompanied by the music of the composer Paul Brill.

8. Saks Fifth Avenue

The ten-story facade of Saks Fifth Avenue with Christmas lights makes this department store a special place. In the past, holiday LED projections have included the Spectacle Snowflake and the Yeti. The latter, according to a story by Daily Monster creator Stefan J. Bucher, came from Siberia to live on the roof of a department store. Typically, the two-minute show is repeated every seven to eight minutes and coincides with a holiday display in 12 shop windows.

9. Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

In November, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will bring a glorious new spectacle to its grounds at nightfall. From November 19 to January 9, BBG visitors will be able to walk through the tunnel of the Cathedral of Light, the Fire Garden on the terrace by the pool with lilies. There will be a Field of Light and an animated light installation covering the Cherry Esplanade.

The Plant Family Collection will feature colorful light screens that highlight the trees, landscapes and architecture of the garden.

More than 18 different pieces of light art and a series of works by local artists based on lighting will be on display. Lightscape comes to BBG in partnership with Sony Music. It was launched at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London in 2014 and has sold out year after year throughout the UK and Chicago. This is currently the only lightscape on the East Coast (lucky us!).

10 Brookfield Place Winter Garden

Get your camera ready for this spectacle! Among all the dazzling Christmas lights in New York City, one of the festive performances we can't wait to see is the Lights installation at Brookfield Place. The arrangement of 650 LED lights hanging from the ceiling is truly amazing. Check it out and enjoy the free performances and sweet treats, and be sure to grab your skates and enjoy skating along the waterfront.

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11. New York Winter Lantern Festival

The New York Winter Lantern Festival is back for the 2021 season with three big events! Currently at the Nassau County Museum of Art, titled "Bug Night," walk through over 20 acres of colorful lanterns and holiday lights. Strewn with sparkling decorations and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island. The botanical garden will be illuminated on an area of ​​more than eight hectares.

In addition to lanterns, the party will be supported by a live DJ, projection mapping, food vendors and more. This will begin on Thanksgiving Day, which will be November 25 this year. The Queens County Farm will also be a shining oasis with a dazzling display of holiday lights. Among other things, you will see handmade lanterns in the form of flowers, tractors, farm animals and much more.

12. Winter Village in Bryant Park

Even before Jack Frost started biting your nose, the Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park was already attracting the masses. In addition to a free ice skating rink open to the public, there are over 60 different shops and great food. This festive market attracts passers-by with its stunning display of fairy lights adorning the park grounds. The Christmas tree is especially good! Even if you're just passing by, take the time to grab some hot cocoa - sit back and enjoy the magic.