Holiday Windows and Lights from Bergdorf’s down to Macy’s

If you want a true taste of the timeless Manhattan holiday season, strolling past the windows is the perfect activity.

At the Paris Movie Theater, right next to Bergdorf Goodman at 5th Ave. and 58th Street, “Carol” is playing.

Simply the costume design alone makes me want to see that movie! Maybe plan your window stroll around catching a showing (if you are sans children), then stepping out to see these stunning works (by far THE BEST holiday windows this year) of “Brilliant,” set against millions of Swarkovski crystals.

 

A great blog documenting so many of their incredible windows is here. Once you take these in, head down Fifth Avenue and relish the sight of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, now that all the scaffolding is gone. Also, Saks Fifth Avenue in the dark is a wonder to behold, and children will love to see the building light up like an operatic ice palace while loud orchestral Christmas music blasts through the air!

Rockefellar Center is always beautiful, and brings forth every cheesy, soft emotion you can feel at this time of year- seeing that giant tree so laden with its colorful, iconic lights. There’s a fascinating plaque that I think is worth looking at, especially in our current political climate…it’s the “Industries of the British Empire” door above the entrance to 620 5th Ave. A good conversation piece. Also, of course, the bronze Atlas statue.

The Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland (in the Rockefellar Center strip as you’re looking at the tree) has a really sweet, simple, old-fashioned window that I think small kids would really love:

Now we come to the Saks Fifth Ave. store’s windows. They are highly decadent, snowy spectacles that range from an icy Colosseum, a snowy Great Wall of China, a frozen Great Barrier Reef (complete with a very cold mermaid), and a very Marie Antoinette world of some sort happening as well. Totally fun to wonder about each set-up, awesome for all ages.

Heading down to Lord and Taylor, you pass the New York Public Library, whose Lions are dressed for the occasion.

The Lord and Taylor windows are really catchy, sweet, and have an interesting backdrop and integration of light projection with the theme of houses.

There are a few more that are culinary and sweets-related, that most girls would eat right up.

Walk over to Macy’s (through maddening crowds), and you have a Peanuts line-up with Charlie Brown and the whole gang. A far cry from Bergdorf’s but charming for being what it is! Also, if you haven’t seen the new Peanuts movie yet, GO! It’s so great, and 3D. It’s at Cobble Hill Cinema back in Brooklyn- where we all belong!