New York City is a magical place during Christmas time. From uptown to downtown, the city boasts holiday offerings like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, light festivals, and the best holiday markets NYC has to offer. This is NYC's most wonderful season, and we've got you covered with the best photo spots around the city that are free and dog-friendly.

Best Places to Take Photos around New York City at Christmas Time

There are so many festive locations around New York City. Here’s a list of our favorite spots with a map to help you plan the perfect route. Most of these spots are within a short walking distance of one another and can easily be captured in one session if you go early enough in the morning to beat the crowds.

Rockefeller Center

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree (NYC’s pride and joy) is a beaming symbol adorned by tourists and native New Yorkers alike. More than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights wrap around the branches. It's topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds and sparkles in 3 million crystals.

The Instagrammable place to take photos of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is the Channel Gardens in the first photo below, but I also liked getting a closer shot near the ice rink.

The tree is lit daily from 5 am to midnight. On Christmas Day, the tree is lit for 24 hours, and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5 am to 9 pm. The tree goes dark for the season at 10 pm on January 13.

Ralphs Coffee truck

Ralphs Coffee truck is around the corner from the Channel Gardens. The truck is decorated differently every year and the hot cocoa is super tasty. Snap a pic and warm up a bit along your photo walk.

Radio City music hall

Radio City Music Hall is an iconic photo spot second to Rockefeller Center. The marquee dons a tree every year and the facade makes for the perfect backdrop when crossing the street.

giant red ornaments

Across the street from Radio City Music Hall there are several fountains with huge Christmas ornaments and lights. All the trees around the area are lit up and the decorations here stay the same every year. You can walk or sit along the water fountain ledge and even capture Radio Music Hall in the background.

Giant candy canes

Across the street from Radio City Music Hall on the other corner of the giant ornaments is the larger-than-life candy canes display. This sweet display is a must-visit as well and offers several photo ops.

Cartier

As you walk down Fifth Avenue, one of the most decorated stores is Cartier. Every winter Cartier on Madison Avenue is transformed into a giant gift box, but the theme changes each year. Many influencers come by to capture “the photo” in front of the store in the street. By the time we made it here, it was a bit crowded, so we crossed the street and climbed up on a cement barrier on the sidewalk to get above the crowds and traffic.

Lotte new york Palace

Lotte New York Palace Hotel is a five-star luxury hotel near Rockefeller Center. They have a really pretty Christmas tree in their courtyard that allows public access. Many locals claim this is their favorite tree in the city. The inside of the hotel is nicely decorated too, but they do not allow professional photos unless you’re staying at the hotel.

When we visited there was scaffolding over their courtyard due to construction, but since 2023 the construction has been completed.

Hudson yards

Hudson Yards is one of the newest areas in New York City and has gained its popularity due to the Vessel (which now can only be seen from afar and cannot be climbed) and the high-end shopping center. Hudson Yards is super festive during the holidays and they allow dogs inside. It can be a great escape from the cold with several photo ops.

The holiday decorations and displays are usually up in the middle of November, they stay the same each year, and the whole shopping mall is fully lit - even the escalators!

WEST VILLAGE

As you explore New York, you’ll notice several stoops decorated for Christmas. These photos were taken in the West Village, one of my favorite neighborhoods for stoops outside of the Upper East Side (below).

Lillie’s VICTORIAN ESTABLISHMENT

Lillie’s Victorian Establishment is an Irish bar and restaurant located in Times Square and Union Square. It has a late 19th century feel inside hence its name. This photo was taken outside the Union Square location.

UPPER EAST SIDE STOOPS

This super festive nutcracker house on the Upper East Side has been the new darling on the holiday decoration scene in the last couple of years. Every year after Thanksgiving weekend, this townhouse gets all decorated with candy canes, gift boxes, and the two giant nutcrackers. You can sit and walk on the red carpet to capture your photo (but do not touch anything or try to go inside). The best time to go is mid-week after Thanksgiving - early December.

This house is located on E 76th St. between Madison Ave and 5th Ave. Across the street from this stoop are several large ornaments and candy canes adorning another townhome entrance.