MareW

I've been to NYC several times in recent years, but never during the holiday season. Is the weekend after Thanksgiving too early to see the Christmas displays in the store windows?

sf7307

No, not too early. The Rock Center tree lighting is usually the Monday after Thanksgiving, and the stores' Xmas windows are up the week BEFORE Thanksgiving.

MareW

Thnak you! That's very helpful.

HowardR

Correction on the date of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It will take place Wednesday, December 1, not on the preceding Monday.

nytraveler

Great tiem to be in the city - BUT

Day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday , many stores open at 6 or 7 an to start holiday shopping, everything is mobbed, hotels are at max price and and I believe the Friday or Sat is the first gridlock alert day (when traffic is so bad it actually comes to a standstill - and everyone is instructed to use public transit only).

So be ready to love it - but be prepared.

HowardR

The OP is talking about the weekend AFTER Thanksgiving weekend, so Black Friday wouldn't apply here.

MareW

I guess I phrased my post strangely. We'll be there for one night, the Saturday night directly after Thanksgiving. We're not planning to shop though, just look, but we'll be ready for massive crowds! Thankfully, we're taking the train from CT to NYC.

As always, your replies were much appreciated!

sf7307

Well, then, you'll miss the tree, but still be able to see the windows.

HowardR

So, I guess you were right after all, nytraveler!