6th Avenue Christmas Decorations: NYC Ornaments & Trees
The 6th Avenue Christmas decorations are among the most famous holiday displays in New York City. Every winter, the Avenue of the Americas transforms into a festive corridor lined with oversized ornaments, glowing candy canes, and sparkling Christmas trees. For many visitors, walking along 6th Avenue feels like stepping into a giant holiday postcard, filled with some of the most photogenic and recognizable Christmas decorations in NYC.
This stretch of Midtown Manhattan is home to several of the city’s most iconic displays. The massive red Christmas balls shine outside 1251 Avenue of the Americas, while the glittering walk-through tree glows at 1221 6th Avenue. The Fox Christmas Tree dazzles with thousands of lights, and the Radio City Music Hall facade tree creates one of the most breathtaking holiday backdrops in New York. Add in the giant candy canes, and you have a lineup of holiday decorations in New York City that rivals Rockefeller Center.
If you are planning your holiday trip, you can discover all these decorations and more by checking our full guide to the Best Things to Do at Christmas in NYC. And for daily updates from the streets, follow our Instagram page, MyChristmasInNewYorkCity, where we share live videos, reels, and festive highlights all season long.
Whether you want to find the famous red ornaments in New York, capture the perfect holiday photos, or simply soak in the magic of Midtown, 6th Avenue is a must-see stop during Christmas in New York 2025.
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Giant Red Christmas Ornaments on 6th Avenue
The giant red Christmas ornaments are the most photographed holiday decorations on 6th Avenue. You will find them right in front of 1251 Avenue of the Americas, close to 49th Street and across from Radio City Music Hall. These oversized baubles sit in a fountain, reflecting the lights of Midtown, and they remain one of the most famous Christmas ornaments in NYC.
Visitors often ask, Where are the red balls in New York? or Where are the red baubles in New York? The answer is simple: they shine outside 1251 6th Avenue, steps from Rockefeller Center. Their bold color and enormous size make them hard to miss, especially at night when they shimmer in the fountain.
The display first appeared decades ago and has since become one of the most beloved holiday decorations in New York City. Every year, tourists and locals gather here for photos, creating one of the most Instagrammable Christmas spots in Manhattan. If you want the best shots, visit after dark when the reflections glow against the water.
Because of its location near Rockefeller Center, the ornaments often serve as the starting point for a holiday walking route along 6th Avenue. From here, you can continue north to see the giant candy canes or head toward the dazzling holiday trees nearby.
Giant Candy Canes on 6th Avenue Christmas Decorations
Just a block north of the red ornaments, you’ll spot the giant candy canes on 6th Avenue. They stand at the northwest corner of 50th Street and 6th Avenue. This spot creates one of the most playful holiday displays in New York.
Visitors often ask, Where are the giant candy canes in NYC? The answer is this Midtown corner. The striped decorations rise tall against the city backdrop. Their bold red-and-white colors make them stand out. They also create a cheerful, whimsical atmosphere for holiday photos.
The candy cane is one of Christmas’s most recognizable symbols. But what is the meaning of candy canes at Christmas? Traditionally, their shape recalls a shepherd’s staff from the nativity story. The red and white colors symbolize purity and sacrifice. On 6th Avenue, they bring joy and festive character to Midtown.
Thanks to their central location, you can easily combine a visit with the red ornaments a block away. Together, these two decorations create an iconic holiday hub on 6th Avenue. They are a must-see stop when exploring Christmas decorations in New York City.
Fox Christmas Tree at 1251 Avenue of the Americas
The Fox Christmas Tree is a highlight of the 6th Avenue holiday walk. You’ll find it at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, the News Corp headquarters. Each year, the plaza hosts a massive tree covered in thousands of lights. It creates one of Midtown’s most spectacular holiday displays.
Unlike the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which attracts huge crowds, the Fox Tree feels calmer. Visitors enjoy more space to admire and photograph. It has become a favorite for those seeking stunning Christmas decorations in NYC without constant rush. Its location along 6th Avenue also makes it one of the easiest holiday stops to visit.
Many visitors ask, Where are the best Christmas decorations in Manhattan? The Fox Christmas Tree belongs on that list. Its lights reflect against the surrounding glass towers, especially in the evening. Midtown glows with holiday spirit during that time.
The tree usually appears in late November and stays lit through early January. Along with the ornaments, candy canes, and Radio City facade tree, it transforms 6th Avenue. This stretch becomes one of the most festive streets in New York at Christmas.
Walk-Through Tree and Light Canopy at 1221 6th Avenue
One of the most unique holiday displays on 6th Avenue is the walk-through Christmas tree at 1221 Avenue of the Americas. It rises more than 36 feet tall and sparkles with over 49,000 LED lights. As a result, the plaza glows with magic during the holidays. What makes it special is that visitors can actually step inside. Therefore, it has become one of the most interactive Christmas decorations in NYC.
The tree sits in a sunken plaza, and surrounding it is a canopy of glowing globe lights. When you walk beneath the canopy, the festive atmosphere becomes even stronger. Then, stepping inside the tree, you feel completely surrounded by twinkling lights. Consequently, it has become a favorite photo spot for locals and tourists. It looks especially striking after dark, when the colors shine against the skyline.
Many visitors wonder, What date do Christmas decorations go up in New York City? Typically, the 1221 6th Avenue tree appears in mid-November, often right before Thanksgiving. In addition, it stays on display through early January. For exact timing and updates, you can check our Holiday Timeline article. It explains when each major decoration goes up and comes down across New York.
If you want oversized, whimsical, and interactive holiday fun, this walk-through tree is perfect. Altogether, the 1221 Avenue of the Americas display ranks among the best Christmas decorations in Manhattan.
Radio City Music Hall Facade Christmas Tree
No holiday walk along 6th Avenue is complete without the Radio City Music Hall facade tree. This enormous triangular display rises high above the iconic neon marquee, glowing with thousands of red and gold lights. Together with the theater’s illuminated signs, it creates one of the most recognizable Christmas decorations in New York City.
Visitors often ask, Which Christmas decorations can you see in front of the Rockefeller Center? The Radio City facade tree is one of the closest, just steps away from Rockefeller Plaza. Because of its central location, it is easy to combine with the red ornaments, candy canes, and Fox Christmas Tree during the same Midtown walk.
The facade tree is also closely tied to the legendary Rockettes and their annual Christmas Spectacular. Every evening, thousands of visitors line up beneath the lights, making this display part of both the show’s magic and the city’s holiday spirit. To learn more about the venue and the world-famous show, visit our dedicated article on the Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
The Radio City tree usually goes up in mid-November and shines through early January. It photographs beautifully at night, especially from across 6th Avenue when the full marquee and tree fit into the frame. If you are searching for the best Christmas decorations in Manhattan, this display should be at the top of your list.
Best Instagrammable Spots Among the 6th Avenue Christmas Decorations
The 6th Avenue Christmas decorations are not just festive, they’re also some of the most Instagrammable holiday displays in New York. From oversized ornaments to glowing trees, you’ll find plenty of perfect backdrops for holiday pictures.
One of the most popular photo angles is to frame either the giant red Christmas balls or the candy canes with Radio City Music Hall glowing in the background. Each creates a quintessential New York holiday shot and is especially magical after dark when the lights shine brightest.
Another favorite spot is the walk-through tree at 1221 Avenue of the Americas. Families and couples love stepping inside the glowing tunnel of lights for a unique holiday picture. It feels like being wrapped in thousands of twinkling bulbs, and the effect translates beautifully on camera.
For a more classic shot, the Fox Christmas Tree provides a towering backdrop with plenty of space to capture full-length pictures. Meanwhile, the Radio City facade tree offers one of the most iconic holiday frames in Manhattan.
What’s one of the best parts of joining our tours? Our guides are always warm, friendly, and happy to help. They often propose to take photos of guests at each stop, creating the perfect holiday souvenir. After all, nothing captures Christmas in New York like a smiling photo in front of these decorations.
How to See All the 6th Avenue Christmas Decorations in One Morning
Exploring all the Midtown Christmas decorations on your own can take an entire day. The crowds, long walks, and winter cold make it tiring, even though the displays are close to each other. That’s why our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant is such a game changer. In just three festive hours, you’ll see an incredible list of holiday highlights, comfortably seated on a warm bus, with short guided walks at the most iconic stops.
Our professional guides aren’t just knowledgeable, they’re friendly and engaging, offering live narration throughout the morning. They know the best spots for photos and are always happy to take pictures of you, making sure you leave with perfect souvenirs.
On this tour, you’ll check off an unbeatable list of holiday sights: the Radio City Music Hall facade tree, Fox Christmas Tree, giant ornaments, candy canes, and the dazzling walk-through tree at 1221 6th Avenue. Beyond 6th Avenue, the route continues with Rockefeller Center and its Christmas Tree, the skating rink and Channel Gardens, Saks Fifth Avenue windows, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Cartier Mansion, Lotte New York Palace tree, Grand Central Terminal, Bergdorf Goodman windows, the Plaza Hotel, Tiffany & Co., and the Swarovski star.
The grand finale? You’ll skip the line and head straight to your reserved table at Papillon, New York’s most magical Christmas restaurant that doesn’t take reservations. It’s the perfect ending to a morning filled with the very best Christmas decorations in New York.
Conclusion: Why the 6th Avenue Christmas Decorations Are a Must-See in NYC
The 6th Avenue Christmas decorations are an essential stop for anyone celebrating the holidays in New York City. From the giant red ornaments and candy canes to the Fox Christmas Tree, walk-through tree at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, and the glowing Radio City Music Hall facade, this stretch of Midtown is packed with festive displays. Each one offers its own atmosphere, from playful to dazzling, creating a holiday trail that feels like stepping into a Christmas movie.
What makes these decorations so special is not just their size, but their accessibility. You can admire them all within a short walk of Rockefeller Center, which means they fit perfectly into any holiday itinerary. Still, exploring every display across Midtown often takes much longer than expected, especially when you add in Saks Fifth Avenue windows, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, or the Lotte New York Palace tree. That’s why so many visitors choose our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, it’s the easiest, most comfortable way to see them all in one unforgettable morning.
If you’re looking for the best Christmas decorations in Manhattan, 6th Avenue should be at the top of your list. For more planning tips, check our full guide to the Best Things to Do at Christmas in NYC, discover our article on the Best Christmas Windows, and follow us on Instagram at MyChristmasInNewYorkCity for live updates and festive reels throughout the season. With its glowing ornaments, sparkling trees, and magical lights, 6th Avenue proves why New York is the ultimate holiday destination.
Author: Written by Dora Formica on behalf of My Christmas in New York
