NYC holiday windows alight in 2012
A Macy's holiday window display at Herald Square in Manhattan. (Nov. 24, 2012) Credit: Natan Dvir
No matter how many times you've seen them, midtown Manhattan's holiday window displays are guaranteed to de-Scrooge even the most cynical among us. For a quickie drive-by, Gray Line New York's two-hour "Holiday Lights" tour (adults $44, kids $34, newyorksightseeing.com) hits the major twinkly sites after 6 p.m., including Rockefeller Center, Times Square and Central Park's Tavern on the Green. But to see department store animatronics up close, you've got to hoof it.
The first department store to feature Christmas windows (since the 1870s). This year marks the third annual salute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation's work with seriously ill kids. The Chrysler Building, Radio City Rockettes and more co-star in this Gotham wintry wonderland.
The first retailer to present animated holiday windows celebrates its 75th anniversary of festive displays. Glimpse revelry across the globe, from alpine bliss (snowy peaks, nutcracker shops) to Santa's hipster hang (where even the wee cater-waiter uniform includes cuffed designer denim -- nice touch).
Don't miss the window with cool chalkboard animation, and the one filled with teeny cameras and laptops that project your face into a snowflaky kaleidoscope. Then, catch the state-of-the-art light show on the building's facade (playing every eight minutes, 5 to 10 p.m., and best viewed from across the street).
Windows here are smaller, and displays depict homes with lucky, lucky residents. But who are these people, leaving Tiffany boxes on the stoop, and diamonds on the staircase? How many times does Mom have to say it: Someone could trip!
Ziegfeld would have loved this salute to the Jazz Age, with an all-girl orchestra (a la "Some Like It Hot") and the window with millions of white feathers and a fan dancer wearing a fringy Marchesa number.
Disney created a cartoon starring Minnie Mouse in a fantasy stroll down a Paris runway. Look for cartoon cameos of fashionistas such as Sarah Jessica Parker (hanging with Donald Duck) and Goofy (looking studly in an outfit by Balmain).
Inspired by the upcoming film "Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away," with an interactive component -- onlookers can see their image on a character in the windows and can share the moment with friends by downloading an app. Ahhh, yuletide fun.
