As December approaches in
New York City, the skyline transforms into a glittering spectacle. In 2025, the
New York City holiday lights tour returns with renewed vigor, greater variety, and dazzling innovation, making it a must‑see season for visitors and New Yorkers alike.
Highlights & Anchors of the Season
NYC Tourism has stepped up its game this year, rolling out festive displays across all five boroughs. One of the signature installations is
“Holiday Under the Stars” at
The Shops at Columbus Circle, featuring 300,000 lights and 44 glowing stars across midtown.
Hudson Yards
will also “shine bright,” with more than two million lights, 725 decorated trees, and illuminated hot-air balloons, all anchoring seasonal shopping and dining zones.
Meanwhile,
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden returns November 21 through January 4, inviting guests to wander through enchanted light installations, musical elements, and atmospheric design.
Another seasonal tradition: the
Saks Fifth Avenue holiday light show, which had been paused in 2024, returns this year on November 24. This “reimagined” spectacle will project synchronized LED animations onto the façade, timed to music, and run nightly until late evening. The show complements the store’s holiday window displays, which promise new thematic storytelling and festive visuals.
Tours That Bring the Lights to Life
Walking tours, bus rides, carriage rides — the 2025 season offers something for every preference.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour (Brooklyn)
Perhaps the most iconic neighborhood display,
Dyker Heights returns in 2025 with a full slate of guided tours. The standard tour lasts about 4 hours, combining a bus ride, a walking portion through the most decorated blocks, and a stop in DUMBO for skyline views.
Of course, we offer luxury transportation, making the route more flexible and immersive.
NYC Christmas Lights Carriage Ride (Midtown)
For a romantic or family‑friendly option, we can take you for a Christmas lights ride down Fifth Avenue. You can expect to pass highlights like the Cartier display, Bergdorf Goodman, The Plaza and the Peninsula, and, most memorably, the
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which will be lit December 3, 2025, with 50,000 LEDs and a Swarovski-topped star.
Holiday Lights & Movie Sites Tour
Beginning November 28,
On Location Tours will host a themed walk through Manhattan — stopping at locations from Elf, Home Alone 2, Scrooged, and more. The route weaves through festive landmarks like Bloomingdale’s, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park. Our limo service can get you to and from this tour.
Tips for Navigating the Season
- Go early or midweek. Holidays in midtown get very crowded. Locals recommend early evening slots or Tuesday–Thursday nights to beat the densest crowds.
- Book in advance. Tours, especially to Dyker Heights, fill up quickly.
- Layer up & bring footwear for walking. Even tours with vehicles may include walking portions.
- Plan side attractions. Combine your tour with ice skating at Rockefeller Center,
holiday markets like Bryant Park, or a visit to the
Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, which returns November 6 through January 4.
- Mind the showtimes. The Saks light show kicks off at sunset and runs until about 11 pm, with repeats every few minutes.
- Consider borough‑level offerings. Don’t overlook
Staten Island’s Historic Richmond Town events, Bronx neighborhoods’ tree-lightings, and Hanukkah menorah lightings in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Book with RPD Limousine for your Holiday Lights Transportation
This season feels especially ambitious: the return of Saks’ marquee display, expanded light installations across major centers, and more thematic tours give visitors a richer palette of choices. The blending of tradition (Tree Lighting, Radio City shows) with newer experiences (movie‑themed walks, botanical gardens lit trails) means there’s something new even for returning visitors.
If you’re planning a trip to NYC this winter, make space in your itinerary for one or more of these light tours. Whether you're seeking magic, romance, Instagram moments, or holiday film nostalgia, 2025 promises a dazzling NYC holiday. And be sure to call
RPD Limousine, which offers the ultimate way to see the city’s spectacular lights, from the Rockefeller Center tree to dazzling displays across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Skip the crowded streets and enjoy the festive scenery from the comfort of a chauffeured limo. Let RPD Limousine handle the route and parking, so all you have to do is relax, take in the views, and make memories. Ready to elevate your holiday experience? Book your Christmas light tour with RPD Limousine today and celebrate the season in style!
