The Best Christmas Picture Spots in NYC

The best spots to grab a picture with Christmas decor from Central Park and below. The list is organized if walking from North to South.

Updated December 2021

1. The Plaza – Pulitzer Fountain

Where: 5th Ave and Central Park South (also check out the plaza grounds, and corners surrounding the plaza for other decor) – it is cute penguins this year!

2. Fifth Ave Light-Up Toys

• Christmas Cab and Toy Box: By the Apple Store (58th and 59th) – 767 Fifth Avenue
• Letters to Santa – 645 Fifth Avenue
• Hot Air Balloon – 712 Fifth Avenue
• Dreidel across the street – 711 Fifth Avenue
• Teddy Bear and Christmas Tree Truck – 680 Fifth Avenue
• Snowman plane – 675 Fifth Avenue
• The Wagon – 1 East 57th Street
• The Rubix cube – 15 East 57th Street

3. Cartier

Where: Corner of 5th Ave and 52nd Street – it changes every year!

4. Rockefeller Tree

Where: 49th/50th and 6th/7th Ave (also check out the iceskating rink and other pop ups)

5. Radio City Music Hall

Where: Corner of 6th and 50th (they currently have a life size candy cane display across the street)

6. Lilholts Pooley Pool

Where: Across the street at 6th and 50th

7. Big Christmas Lights

Where: 6th and 49th

8. Fox News Tree

Where: 6th and 48th

9. Lotte Palace

Where: Madison Ave and 50th

10. Bryant Park Winter Village

Where: 6th ave and 42nd

11. NY Public Library

Where: 5th Ave and 42nd

12. Hudson Yards

Where: 33rd and 10th Ave

13. Rolfs

Where: 281 3rd Ave

Go for a drink DO NOT eat here its terrible and overpriced.

14. Washington Square Park

Where: Washington Square N and 5th Ave

16. The Oculus

Where: 50 Church Street

Other Christmas spots in NYC not pictured:

• Columbus Circle Mall
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Union Square Market
• Chelsea Market
• The West Village
• Brookfield Place Holiday Display and Ice Skating Rink
• Fi-di Holiday Market
• Pier 17

Christmas Bars:

• Ready Rooftop – East Village
• Oscar Wilde – Flatiron
• Miracle on 9th Street – East Village 
• Lillies Victorian – Union Square
• Papillion Bistro and Bar – Midtown East
• SERRA by Birreria – Flatiron
• 230 fifth rooftop – Flatiron
• Haven Rooftop – Midtown
• Mr. Purple – East Side
• Sippin’ Santa at Boilermaker – Lower East Side