Best Photo Spots in NYC to Love This Christmas
The best photo spots in NYC capture the magic of Christmas like nowhere else. Every December, New York City transforms into a glowing winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, towering Christmas trees, and festive holiday markets. From the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to the ice rink at Bryant Park, the city offers endless Instagrammable locations that feel straight out of a Christmas movie.
This guide highlights the 30 most beautiful places to take Christmas photos in New York. We’ve included world-famous landmarks, cozy decorated cafés, magical light displays, and even charming neighborhood brownstones. Whether you’re planning a holiday trip or you live in the city, these photo spots will make your memories unforgettable. Capture the holiday spirit under the glowing lights of Fifth Avenue, in front of the Lotte New York Palace Tree, or at the dazzling Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn.
To make your trip easier, we’ve grouped all locations into simple categories so you can plan your route without missing a single picture-perfect moment. For even more festive ideas, check our full guide to the Best Things to Do at Christmas in NYC. And don’t forget to follow @MyChristmasinNewYorkCity on Instagram, where we share daily photos and reels live from New York during the holiday season.
Table of Contents
Best Photo Spots in NYC: Famous NYC Christmas Landmarks
1. Best Photo Spots in NYC at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Ice Skating Rink
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is the most famous photo spot in New York at Christmas. The giant tree sparkles with thousands of lights and a Swarovski star, while the ice rink below adds a magical touch. From the Channel Gardens, you’ll also capture the glowing angels leading toward the plaza.
Crowds here are intense, but our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant visits early, so you can take photos before the area gets packed. Wide shots work best from Fifth Avenue, while close-ups shine by the rink.
2. Bryant Park Winter Village and Frozen Fountain
Bryant Park Winter Village is one of the most festive Christmas photo spots in NYC. Its giant tree sparkles over the rink, while the frozen fountain adds a unique backdrop for winter shots. The wooden chalets of the holiday market glow at night, making it one of the coziest places to capture the holiday spirit.
For an authentic experience, our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour with DUMBO includes a free voucher for hot chocolate at Bryant Park. It’s the perfect way to warm up, stroll the market, and snap a photo with the Christmas tree before heading to Brooklyn.
3. Christmas Decorations at the Plaza Hotel New York
The Plaza Hotel is one of the most elegant Christmas photo spots in NYC. Its entrance is beautifully decorated, and the Pulitzer Fountain in front sparkles with holiday lights, making it a perfect backdrop for festive shots. Movie lovers also recognize the hotel from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, adding extra charm for photos.
You can see the Plaza’s exterior and the decorated fountain on our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant and during the New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist. Both tours stop here for photos, so you won’t miss this iconic landmark.
4. Radio City Music Hall Holiday Facade
Radio City Music Hall glows with giant red Christmas ornaments, bright banners, and its famous marquee, making it one of the best holiday photo spots in NYC. The facade shines even brighter at night, especially with the Rockefeller Center tree just steps away.
Our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant passes right by this landmark, giving you the chance to capture it without fighting the crowds. For the best angle, frame the neon lights with the oversized Christmas tree that stands in front every December.
5. St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Atlas Statue Christmas Photo Spot
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the most beautiful Christmas photo spots in NYC. The gothic spires glow against Fifth Avenue’s lights, and the giant Atlas statue across the street creates the perfect framing for photos. The best angle is taken from behind Atlas, looking straight at the cathedral decorated for the holidays.
You’ll visit this spot on our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, giving you the chance to capture it early before the sidewalks get packed with visitors.
6. Washington Square Park Arch and Christmas Tree
Washington Square Park is one of the most photogenic Christmas spots in NYC. Each December, a giant tree is placed beneath the marble arch, perfectly aligned with the Empire State Building in the background. It’s one of the few places where you can frame two icons in a single festive shot.
For the best photo, stand directly under the arch at night when the tree and skyline both glow. Arrive early evening for fewer crowds and a deep blue sky that makes the lights pop.
Best Photo Spots in NYC: Holiday Lights and Window Displays
7. Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows and Cartier Mansion Best Photo Spots in NYC
Fifth Avenue is one of the best photo spots in NYC at Christmas. The entire street glows with holiday displays, from the Cartier Mansion wrapped in a sparkling red bow to Tiffany & Co.’s festive entrance. The new Louis Vuitton flagship shines with colorful lights, while the old store was famously covered in oversized luggage bags for the season. Each window tells a different story, making this stretch a must for holiday photos.
All of these iconic displays are included on our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, which walks you right past the most famous windows before the crowds arrive. For the best shots, you can also visit in the evening when the lights are at their brightest.
8. Sixth Avenue Giant Ornaments and Walk-Through Christmas Tree
Sixth Avenue is packed with some of the most Instagrammable Christmas decorations in NYC. The giant red ornaments by the fountain sparkle at night, while the towering candy canes and the glowing walk-through tree make perfect backdrops. Right nearby, the Fox News Christmas Tree adds another festive photo stop.
You’ll see all of these during our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, when the streets are still quiet enough to capture great photos without waiting in line. The best shots are taken from across the avenue, or from behind the ornaments with Radio City Music Hall glowing in the background.
9. Swarovski Crystal Snowflake on Fifth Avenue Christmas Photo Spot
Hanging above the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, the Swarovski Crystal Snowflake is one of the most dazzling Christmas photo spots in NYC. Made of thousands of crystals, it sparkles day and night, creating a magical backdrop with the luxury storefronts all around.
You’ll see the snowflake during our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, when Fifth Avenue is still quiet for photos. The best angle is from the middle of Fifth Avenue looking uptown, where the snowflake glows against the city lights.
10. Bergdorf Goodman Holiday Windows
Bergdorf Goodman creates some of the most detailed holiday windows in New York. Each year the luxury department store unveils artistic displays filled with sparkling colors, elegant themes, and intricate props that feel like stepping into a fantasy world. These windows are less crowded than Macy’s but just as impressive for photos.
They are part of our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, which passes right by Bergdorf’s windows before the busy shopping rush begins.
11. Hudson Yards Shine Bright Lights and the Vessel Best Photo Spot in NYC
Hudson Yards hosts one of the brightest Christmas light displays in NYC, with more than two million twinkling bulbs decorating every corner of the mall. The glowing trees and illuminated Vessel create spectacular backdrops for both wide city shots and cozy portraits. Inside, the cascading lights make for one of the most Instagrammable holiday ceilings in New York.
All of these photo spots are included in our Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, which brings you here in the evening when the lights shine at their best. For a great picture, use the Vessel as a centerpiece framed by the glowing trees around it.
12. Macy’s Holiday Windows and Santaland
Macy’s Herald Square is one of the most iconic Christmas photo spots in NYC. Its holiday windows draw huge crowds each year with magical, storybook displays that glow across 34th Street. Inside, families head to Santaland, a colorful Christmas village where children can meet Santa in person.
Macy’s is also famous as the filming location of Miracle on 34th Street, which you’ll learn more about on our New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist. For Santaland, plan ahead and read our dedicated article HERE. Reservations are required and spots fill quickly.
Best Photo Spots in NYC: Most Beautiful Christmas Trees
13. Lotte New York Palace Courtyard Tree: Best Christmas Tree Photo Spot Opportunity
The Lotte New York Palace has one of the most elegant Christmas trees in NYC, standing tall in its courtyard framed by the hotel’s historic architecture. Inside, the lobby is beautifully decorated with garlands and wreaths, making it another great spot for festive photos. Guests and visitors also love stopping at the hotel café for its rich and famous hot chocolate, a cozy treat after taking pictures.
You’ll visit the Lotte tree on our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, with time to enjoy the courtyard before the crowds arrive. We’ve also written a dedicated article about the Lotte New York Palace Christmas Tree, where you can find all the details for planning your visit.
14. Wall Street Christmas Tree with Fearless Girl
Every December, a towering Christmas tree shines in front of the New York Stock Exchange, turning Wall Street into one of the most festive spots downtown. The Fearless Girl statue adds a unique photo angle, with the glowing tree and historic facade behind her.
You’ll see this display after dark on our Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, when the lights sparkle against the skyline and the atmosphere feels especially magical.
15. New York Public Library Christmas Tree And Instagrammable Holiday Lions
The New York Public Library is one of the most elegant Christmas photo spots in NYC. The stone lions wear festive wreaths, creating a classic holiday backdrop. Inside the grand lobby stands a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, perfect for seasonal photos.
For great shots, frame the lions with Fifth Avenue glowing behind them. Then step inside to capture the towering tree under marble arches. Visit in the evening for a magical exterior view lit by sparkling holiday lights.
Best Photo Spots in NYC: Christmas Markets and Indoor Holiday Magic
16. Union Square Best NYC CHRISTMAS Market Photo Spot
The Union Square Holiday Market pulses with energy and color, lined with festive red-and-white huts selling everything from handmade ornaments to warming treats. It’s one of the most atmospheric Christmas market photo spots in NYC.
Insider tip: For a standout elevated shot, head into Burlington at 4 Union Square East. From one of the upper floors, you can capture a gorgeous bird’s-eye view looking down over the twinkling stalls- A rare perspective many visitors miss.
This stop is included in our Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar. You’ll have a 45-minute window here to browse, snap street-level photos, and find that elevated angle.
17. Instagrammable Christmas Spot NYC at Columbus Circle Holiday Shops with Hanging Stars
The Columbus Circle Holiday Shops are among the coziest Christmas markets in NYC. They sit at the southwest entrance of Central Park. The outdoor stalls overflow with ornaments, handmade gifts, and seasonal treats. Inside, The Shops at Columbus Circle display massive illuminated stars hanging above the atrium. The stars shift colors throughout the night, creating a magical scene.
Insider tip: go to an upper floor inside the mall for a unique angle. From above, capture the glowing stars with the busy market below. It’s one of the most Instagrammable holiday shots in New York.
18. Best Photo Spot in NYC at Grand Central Holiday Fair and Main Hall
Grand Central Terminal is one of the most photogenic holiday locations in NYC. The Vanderbilt Hall hosts a charming Christmas market, while the Main Concourse glows with wreaths, garlands, and the famous celestial ceiling above the iconic clock.
You’ll visit Grand Central on our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, with time to explore both the market and the decorated hall. One of the best shots is from the Park Avenue Viaduct between Madison and Lexington Avenue, where you can frame the grand facade and wreaths glowing over 42nd Street.
19. Little Italy Mulberry Street and the Christmas in New York Shop
Little Italy feels extra festive in December. Mulberry Street glows in red, green, and white holiday lights. The highlight is the Christmas in New York Shop. This year-round store is packed with ornaments, Nutcrackers, and holiday décor. It ranks as one of the best Christmas photo spots in NYC.
This stop is included in our New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist, where you’ll have time to explore the shop and enjoy a classic Italian treat at Ferrara Bakery, one of the oldest in the neighborhood.
20. South Street Seaport Holiday Lights
South Street Seaport offers one of the most charming holiday backdrops in Lower Manhattan. Cobblestone streets shine with twinkling lights. A large Christmas tree stands near the waterfront with the Brooklyn Bridge rising behind it. Festive stalls and historic buildings create a cozy old-New-York feel for holiday photos.
For the best shots, visit at dusk when lights glow against the river and skyline. Use wide angles to capture the decorated streets with the bridge. Take close-ups to highlight the market’s holiday charm.
21. Christmas Photo Spot at the Oculus With Holiday Decorations & Balcony Views
The Oculus at the World Trade Center is one of the most futuristic Christmas photo spots in NYC. Each December, its white ribbed interior is filled with glowing holiday lights, wreaths, and decorated trees. The soaring architecture makes every shot dramatic and unique.
You’ll visit the Oculus on our Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, with time to enjoy the holiday displays inside. For the best photo, head up to the balcony level and shoot down toward the main floor, capturing the festive décor framed by the building’s striking design.
Best Photo Spots in NYC: Neighborhood Charm and Unique Instagram Spots
22. Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Best Photo Spot in NYC
Dyker Heights is world-famous for its over-the-top Christmas displays, where entire blocks glow with thousands of lights, inflatable Santas, and life-size Nutcrackers. It’s one of the most spectacular Christmas photo spots in NYC, with houses so dazzling they look straight out of a movie.
The best way to experience Dyker Heights is with our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour with DUMBO and Free Hot Chocolate at Bryant Park Winter Village. You’ll travel in comfort on a heated coach bus or enjoy the exclusivity of a small minivan, with a voucher for hot chocolate included. For fewer crowds, plan your visit on a weekday evening in December.
23. Brownstone Doorsteps on the Upper East Side and West Village
Brownstone houses are some of the most charming Christmas photo spots in NYC. On the Upper East Side, visit 78th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Two of the most beautifully decorated houses in Manhattan sit here. Walk along 76th Street between Madison and 5th Avenues to see brownstones telling their own Christmas stories with lights and garlands. For more festive stoops, explore East 73rd Street and 61st Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
In the West Village, stop at 62 Charles Street near Sevilla Restaurant. This brownstone is famous for lights wrapping around the corner. Stroll Perry Street for more decorated stoops. The block is iconic year-round thanks to Sex and the City. Smaller nearby streets also reveal hidden holiday gems.
24. Central Park Gapstow Bridge and Wollman Rink Christmas Photo Spot
Central Park offers some of the most romantic Christmas photo spots in NYC. At Gapstow Bridge, you can capture the skyline rising over the park, a location made famous in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Just steps away, the Wollman Ice Rink is another classic scene, featured in the movie Serendipity, with skaters twirling under the city lights. To finish, the Tavern on the Green glows each December with thousands of garlands and sparkling decorations.
All of these locations are included in our New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist, making it easy to relive the magic of your favorite films while snapping unforgettable holiday photos.
25. Ralph’s Coffee at Rockefeller Center Christmas Coffee Shop Photo Spot
Ralph’s Coffee at 45 Rockefeller Plaza sits next to the Atlas statue. It is one of the most stylish Christmas photo spots in New York. The festive green cart wrapped in garlands creates a perfect backdrop. Frame it with St. Patrick’s Cathedral or the Fifth Avenue lights glowing behind you. You’ll also see the cart on our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant. It’s an easy stop for photos just steps from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. For the best Rockefeller shot, hold your festive cup with the Atlas statue rising in the background.
Ralph’s Coffee also has a café inside the Ralph Lauren flagship at 888 Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side. Another sits in the Flatiron District at 160 Fifth Avenue near 20th Street. Both feature the same green-and-white charm with elegant interiors that make a holiday coffee break photo-worthy.
26. Brookfield Place Santa Photos & Hudson River Skating As Best Winter Photo Spot NYC
Brookfield Place is one of the most unique Christmas photo spots in Lower Manhattan. Inside, the Winter Garden fills with towering palm trees and colorful hanging lanterns that make for striking holiday shots. Families can also take festive photos with Santa in this modern, glass-filled setting. Outside, the ice skating rink on the Hudson River offers one of the most scenic backdrops in the city.
For the best pictures, capture the lanterns in the atrium during the day when natural light pours through the windows. At sunset, step outside for breathtaking shots of the skating rink framed by the glowing Hudson River and the downtown skyline.
27. Pebble Beach and Washington Street in DUMBO Best Photo Spot in NYC
DUMBO is home to two of the most iconic Christmas photo spots in NYC. From Pebble Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park, you’ll capture the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline sparkling behind it. At night, the lights reflecting on the East River create one of the most magical photo backdrops in New York. Just steps away, Jane’s Carousel glows inside its glass pavilion, adding a whimsical holiday touch to your photos.
Just a short walk away, Washington Street between Front and Water Streets offers a famous view. From here, the Empire State Building is perfectly framed through the Manhattan Bridge. Red-brick warehouses line both sides, creating a dramatic frame. This is one of the most photographed blocks in New York. The view looks especially beautiful after dark when the skyline lights up.
Both stops are part of our Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour with DUMBO and Free Hot Chocolate at Bryant Park Winter Village. Our guides are always happy to take photos for you, so you can appear in your shots with these breathtaking backdrops.
28. SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park
The SeaGlass Carousel in Battery Park is one of the most whimsical Christmas photo spots in NYC. Glowing fish-shaped seats light up in vibrant colors inside the glass pavilion. During the holidays, twinkling lights decorate the surrounding park. It’s a dreamy stop for kids and adults alike.
For the best photos, visit at dusk. The carousel glows brightly while the harbor lights sparkle behind it. Try long exposure shots to capture the motion of the illuminated fish as they spin.
29. Fulton Street Holiday Lights & One World Trade Center
Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan glows with festive holiday lights. The canopy creates a path that leads straight to One World Trade Center in the distance. This spot blends holiday charm with the modern skyline, making it one of the most striking downtown Christmas photo locations.
Take the best photos in the late afternoon or just before sunset. The sky frames the tower while the holiday lights begin to twinkle. From mid-block, capture the glowing canopy perfectly aligned with the skyscraper.
30. Christmas-Decorated Restaurants & Rooftops: Papillon, 230 Fifth & Rolf’s
ome of the most Instagrammable Christmas photo spots in NYC are inside restaurants and rooftops decorated for the season. Papillon Bistro & Bar on East 54th Street is one of the most festive, with ornaments, wreaths, and garlands covering every corner. In December, Papillon does not accept reservations, making it extremely difficult to get a table. With our Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, you’ll enjoy a reserved table and brunch without the wait.
Another favorite is the 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, famous for its heated igloos, panoramic skyline views, and sparkling holiday décor. The rooftop is stunning at night with the Empire State Building glowing above. Normally, long lines and a cover charge apply, but our Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar includes skip-the-line entry and no cover.
Finally, Rolf’s German Restaurant in Gramercy is legendary for its extreme decorations, with ceilings dripping in ornaments and garlands. While beautiful, it’s small, crowded, and hard to book, so expect long waits if you visit on your own.
Conclusion: Capture the Best Photo Spots in NYC This Christmas
The best photo spots in NYC at Christmas are spread across the city, from Midtown icons like Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park to hidden gems in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Visiting them on your own can take days of planning, long subway rides, and plenty of waiting in crowds. That’s why the easiest and most enjoyable way to experience them is with one of our guided Christmas tours.
Most of these must-have holiday photo locations are included in our tours, each designed to show you the most magical side of New York in just a few hours. With our mix of time spent on a warm, comfortable bus and short walks in the cold, you’ll get the perfect balance of comfort and exploration. Our licensed guides provide live narration, fun stories, and photography tips, while you enjoy the company of a festive group sharing the experience with you.
Whether it’s the Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant, the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour with DUMBO and Free Hot Chocolate, the Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar, or the New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist, each one covers some of the city’s most iconic photo stops without the stress of going alone.
This holiday season, make your memories in front of the most beautiful Christmas backdrops New York has to offer, and let us take care of the details.
Author: Written by Dora Formica on behalf of My Christmas in New York
