Bloomingdales NYC Christmas Windows Holiday Magic
The Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows are one of the most magical holiday traditions in New York. Every year, this famous department store on Lexington Avenue and 59th Street transforms its windows into a dazzling Christmas showcase that attracts both locals and visitors. The unveiling usually happens in mid to late November, just before Thanksgiving, and the displays remain up through the beginning of January. Travelers often ask, does Bloomingdales have Christmas windows? The answer is yes, and they are among the most creative in the city. Each year, Bloomingdales chooses a new theme, surprising visitors with a mix of fashion, technology, and holiday storytelling.
The windows are completely free to see, making them one of the best free things to do in New York City at Christmas time. They are also a highlight for anyone planning a Christmas windows walking tour in NYC. Many combine Bloomingdales with other famous displays on Fifth Avenue, creating an unforgettable route. For more festive inspiration, don’t miss our guide to the Best Things to Do at Christmas in NYC, and follow daily updates on Instagram at MyChristmasInNewYorkCity. Visiting Bloomingdales at Christmas guarantees a true New York holiday experience.
Table of Contents
Where Are Bloomingdales NYC Christmas Windows?
Bloomingdales in New York City is located at 1000 Third Avenue. Its main entrance is on Lexington Avenue at 59th Street. This flagship store has been part of Midtown Manhattan since 1886. Today, it remains one of the most famous department stores in the world. The area is easy to reach and close to Central Park, Fifth Avenue holiday windows, and Rockefeller Center.
Visitors often ask what street Bloomingdales is on in NYC. The store stretches across an entire block between Lexington and Third Avenue. Entrances are located on both 59th and 60th Streets. Its prime location makes it a perfect stop during a Christmas windows walking tour of Manhattan. Many visitors combine Bloomingdales with Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman to see the best holiday decorations.
The neighborhood is filled with restaurants, cafés, and shops that make a visit even more enjoyable. During December, the streets around Bloomingdales glow with lights, adding to the festive atmosphere. Whether you are coming for shopping, sightseeing, or both, this store remains a central point of Christmas in NYC.
When Do the Bloomingdales NYC Christmas Windows Go Up?
The Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows are one of the most anticipated holiday unveilings in New York. Each year, the department store begins the season by revealing its themed displays in mid-November, just before Thanksgiving. In 2024, Bloomingdales unveiled the “Wicked Good Holiday” windows on November 13 and drew large crowds to Lexington Avenue and 59th Street. For 2025, the official date is not confirmed. If the store follows last year’s schedule, the unveiling will most likely take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
The grand reveal always feels like a celebration. Live performances, music, and special guests turn the sidewalk into a festive street party. Locals and visitors gather as the curtains open on the magical Christmas displays. That moment signals the official start of Christmas at Bloomingdales and adds to the lineup of famous holiday windows across the city. After the unveiling, the displays stay up through the first week of January. This gives visitors plenty of time to see them. If you are planning a Christmas windows walking tour in NYC, mark the unveiling date to experience the holiday season at its brightest.
How Long Are the Bloomingdales NYC Christmas Windows Displayed?
The Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows typically stay on view for about six weeks. The unveiling happens in mid-November, and the festive displays remain through the holiday season. Staff usually take them down during the first week of January. This schedule gives locals and visitors plenty of time to enjoy the magic. You can see them before Christmas or plan a trip between Christmas and New Year.
The windows are free to visit, which makes them one of the most popular holiday traditions in the city. Families, couples, and tourists often include Bloomingdales in a Christmas windows walking tour. Many combine it with other famous displays along Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. Visitors often stop by more than once, since the windows look especially magical at night when the lights shine against the winter streets. If you plan a December trip, remember that the Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows stay up until early January. They remain one of the most flexible and must-see experiences during Christmas in New York.
What to Expect from Bloomingdales NYC Christmas Windows Holiday Magic
The Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows are known for combining high fashion with imaginative storytelling, creating one of the most original displays in the city. Each year, the department store unveils a new theme that transforms its Lexington Avenue façade into a festive attraction. Past designs have included collaborations with Broadway shows, designers, and global brands, blending holiday cheer with cultural references. Visitors can expect vibrant colors, animated details, and interactive elements that make the experience memorable for all ages.
Inside the store, Bloomingdales continues the holiday magic with Christmas decorations, themed gift departments, and seasonal shopping events. While there is not a super large Santaland like Macy’s, Bloomingdales often organizes a Santa meet and greet with photo opportunities. Families can enjoy a festive moment with Santa in a more intimate setting, making it easier for children to take part without the long lines. You can read all about this and discover more options in our dedicated guide Where to Meet Santa in NYC. Combined with the window displays, these features create a complete holiday outing.
Seeing the Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows is also one of the best free things to do in New York at Christmas time. The windows make a perfect stop before continuing toward Central Park, Fifth Avenue, or the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Together, they form part of the city’s most magical Christmas activities and an unmissable highlight of the season.
Best Ways to Get to Bloomingdales NYC
Bloomingdales NYC is easy to reach thanks to its central location at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. The store sits in Midtown East, close to Central Park and other major Christmas attractions. For many visitors, the subway is the fastest way to arrive. The closest station is 59th Street–Lexington Avenue, served by the 4, 5, 6, N, R, and W trains. This stop brings you right next to Bloomingdales, making it simple to include in a Christmas windows walking tour.
Other nearby stations include Lexington Avenue–63rd Street on the F and Q lines, which is only a short walk away. If you are coming from Times Square or Rockefeller Center, the trip usually takes less than 15 minutes by subway. Taxis and ride-sharing services also drop off easily along Lexington Avenue or 59th Street, though traffic can be heavy during the holiday season.
Many ask what train goes to Bloomingdales NYC, and the answer is that multiple subway lines connect directly, making it one of the most accessible department stores in Manhattan. For those exploring several Christmas displays in one evening, Bloomingdales’ location allows you to continue walking toward Fifth Avenue or down to Bryant Park Winter Village.
Christmas Shopping and After-Holiday Sales at Bloomingdales?
Bloomingdales NYC is not only famous for its Christmas windows but also for its extensive holiday shopping experience. Inside the flagship store, entire departments are transformed for the season, featuring luxury fashion, accessories, home décor, and exclusive holiday gift collections. Shoppers will find festive pop-ups, limited edition collaborations, and seasonal packaging that make gift buying more special. The store is also decorated with Christmas trees, ornaments, and themed displays, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Visitors often ask, does Bloomingdales have an after-Christmas sale? The answer is yes. Starting right after December 25, Bloomingdales launches its post-holiday promotions, offering discounts on clothing, beauty products, and home goods. These sales typically run into early January, making it an ideal time for both visitors and locals to shop for New Year bargains. This combination of Christmas magic and shopping deals makes Bloomingdales one of the best department stores to visit in December.
Bloomingdales also carries unique New York souvenirs, which make perfect holiday keepsakes or gifts to bring home. If you want to explore even more festive stores for your trip, take a look at our dedicated article on the Best Christmas Shops in NYC. Even if you are not planning to shop, browsing Bloomingdales during Christmas is an experience in itself, pairing holiday decorations inside with the famous windows outside.
Other Christmas Decorations Near Bloomingdales NYC
The Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows are only the beginning of the festive magic in Midtown East. Just a short walk away, visitors can continue along Fifth Avenue to see some of the most famous holiday displays in New York City. Saks Fifth Avenue hosts its spectacular light show every evening, while Bergdorf Goodman is known for its elegant and artistic windows. Closer to Rockefeller Center, the Christmas tree and skating rink create one of the most iconic holiday scenes in the world.
Around Bloomingdales itself, the streets are decorated with sparkling lights and festive storefronts, making the whole neighborhood a joy to explore in December. The area also offers easy access to Central Park, where winter walks add to the seasonal charm. For those planning to see as many holiday decorations as possible, we recommend reading our full guide to the Best Holiday Windows in New York City. This detailed resource helps you plan a route that includes Bloomingdales and all the other unmissable window displays.
Visiting Bloomingdales at Christmas is best combined with these nearby attractions, creating a complete holiday experience. Together, they showcase why New York is one of the best cities in the world to celebrate Christmas.
Holiday Windows Walking Tours in NYC
One of the best ways to enjoy the Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows is to include them in a holiday windows walking tour. New York offers dozens of festive displays spread across Midtown, and seeing them all in one morning can be a challenge without guidance. That is why our My Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour has become one of the most popular Christmas experiences in the city. In just one festive morning, you will see all the most iconic sights and windows with a perfect mix of bus transportation and walking.
The tour includes live narration from a dedicated guide, separate from the driver, ensuring the focus is always on you and the experience. Guests check off a long list of holiday highlights: the Radio City Music Hall facade tree, the Fox Christmas Tree, the giant ornaments and candy canes on Sixth Avenue, the walk-through Christmas tree, NBC News Studio, Rockefeller Center with its famous Christmas Tree and ice rink, Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Cartier Mansion, the Lotte New York Palace tree, Grand Central Terminal with Holiday Lane and Whispering Wall, Louis Vuitton’s flagship, Bergdorf Goodman windows, the Plaza Hotel, the dazzling Swarovski star, and Tiffany & Co. The tour ends with skip-the-line access and a reserved table at Papillon, New York’s most beautiful Christmas restaurant that does not take reservations during the holidays.
While Bloomingdales is not included in the Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour, it is featured in our New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist. This makes it easy to combine both tours for a complete holiday experience, ensuring you see all the most famous Christmas windows and decorations across New York City.
Final Tips for Visiting Bloomingdales NYC Christmas Windows during the Holidays
Seeing the Bloomingdales NYC Christmas windows is one of the most memorable free things to do in New York during the holidays. To make the most of your visit, plan to go in the late afternoon or evening, when the lights sparkle against the winter streets. The windows stay up until the first week of January, so even visitors coming after Christmas can enjoy them. If you want to explore more, combine Bloomingdales with nearby holiday displays on Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park.
For a guided experience, our Christmas tours make it even easier to enjoy the best of the season. The My Christmas Morning in Manhattan Tour with Papillon Christmas Restaurant takes you past the most iconic windows and decorations in one morning, ending with skip-the-line access to New York’s most festive restaurant. The Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour with DUMBO and Free Hot Chocolate at Bryant Park Winter Village offers an unforgettable evening in Brooklyn, while the Holiday Spirit in Manhattan Tour with 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar and the New York Movie Tour with a Christmas Twist add more unique holiday experiences.
If you’re planning your own route, don’t miss our extensive blog filled with free resources, from guides to the Best Holiday Windows in New York City to tips on Where to Meet Santa in NYC. Our articles are updated every year to help you enjoy Christmas in New York like a local.
Author: Written by Dora Formica on behalf of My Christmas in New York
