‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows.
From bright reds and greens to metallic silvers and golds and from Disney characters to those made up just for the holiday season, Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.
Here’s what you can expect outside the shops this November and December:
Macy’s
This year’s holiday windows story at Macy’s follows its the main character, “Santa Girl,” who watches the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from her bedroom window and wishes she were Santa Claus. Visitors will go on a journey with Santa Girl to learn that Santa can be in all of our hearts, hence the theme: “Believe in the Wonder.”
Across the half-dozen windows at Macy’s feature chrome-dipped elves and Santa Claus (made to look like traditional Christmas tree ornaments) that “float” in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; a larger-than-life model of Santa Girl’s dog, Willow, who scratches her ear when visitors press her nose; a video game where visitors use a steering wheel to drive on a road filled with presents; and a mechanical kaleidoscope that takes photos of onlookers who want to be Santa, too.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Taking a cue from the newly released “Frozen 2,” Saks Fifth Avenue has created a winter wonderland in its six windows, which depict Elsa and Anna’s journey to discover truths about their past while encountering the four spirits of nature. Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven are along for the ride, too.
Singer and Elsa’s voice actor, Idina Menzel, will perform a song from her upcoming album, “Christmas: A Season of Love,” that will include a 10-story-tall theatrical light show, a 50-person choir and Disney entertainers, at the windows’ unveiling on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
Bergdorf Goodman
Titled “Bergdorf Goodtimes,” the store’s eight windows revolve around parties, game nights and entertaining to showcase the holiday spirit. In the “Winner Takes All” window, there’s a dramatic game of musical chairs afoot made to look like Art Deco. Its “Wild Card” window is a game of bridge in a sculpture garden that has a menagerie of animals. Another, called “Jackpot!” is a pinball game with psychedelic animations, flashing lights and neon chase lights. Others include a chess game made of millions of sequins, a kaleidoscopic fantasy board game, and a scavenger hunt with giant and oversized ornaments and toys.
American Girl
Nearly 200 Swarovski crystal strands and 130 pounds of crystal star dust decorate the American Girl store this season making for a glittering holiday window.
Check back for more soon.
