Maudie

We will be in NYC for 5 nights November 2012, wondering when the city is decorated for Christmas? At this stage it looks like we will be leaving around the 14th.

Where I live (in Western Australia) our city decorations are put up around the 1st week in November. I would love to see NYC dressed for Christmas.

RoamsAround

There's no set date, many of the stores will be decorated for Christmas by Thanksgiving which in 2012 will be November 22. Some will have decorations up a few days before. The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center is usually lit toward the very end of November or early December (this year it's November 30 but the date for 2012 has not yet been announced).

So, if you are in NYC between November 14th and the 19th you may see some decorations but the city will not be "fully dressed out".

nytraveler

I think you're going to be too early for much. As of Friday - the 18th - Bloomies windows were still covered. Not sure about other stores. They will be up before Thanksgiving - but if it's early it may not be much before. The "official" start is when the tree at Rock Center is lit. In the past that ha been the first Wed in Dec - but this year it is earlier -- Nov 30th.

So you may see some stores -- but a lot of things will not be up yet - since we have to celebrate another giant holiday - Thanksgiving (4th Thursday in Nov )- when Macy's has their giant parade and Santa officially comes to town) before we get to Christmas.

Maudie

Hi, thanks for you replies.

Yes, I thought we might be just a bit too early. What a shame, I would love to have seen the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre.

nytraveler, I thought Thanksgiving was later towards the end of November or am I misunderstanding you?

Bowsprit

Maudie: Thanksgiving 2011 is this Thursday; November 24th, the 4th (and last) Thursday in November.

Maudie

Ok thanks, now I get it. Thanks for clearing that up. My fault, I didn't read it properly.

Bowsprit

No problem at all.

nytraveler

It's the 4th Thursday in Nov - which may or may not be the last Thursday.

travelbuff

Alot of the stores do have their lights and decorations up already and will be all lit up by Friday of this week as it is the start of the "season" here, called "Black Friday" and ALL the stores have special sales and promotions to get the shoppers INTO the stores. Some stores actually open at 2-5AM go get the season off to a roaring start.

One of the best known holiday traditions here is the Holiday Tree at the Met Museum, not sure when the opening is this year so you might check the Met Website for that and other special exhibits.

Also the MNH has a huge tree all decorated in oragami.

Hope you have a great time.

Bowsprit

Yes, that's right nytraveler, but Thanksgiving 2011 (the object of the question) falls on the last Thursday of the month.

sf7307

Actually, the question was about 2012:

>>

Bowsprit

oops. Yes, you're right of course.

Thanksgiving 2012 is on the 4th Thursday of the month....but that is not on the last Thursday of November 2012.

I think (hope) it's sorted now.

tejana

in case anyone is still following this thread... when do the Christmas decoractions come DOWN in NYC? We'll be there the weekend after New Years (Jan 5 - 8). Any chance the windows will still be dressed?

nytraveler

No - I think you will be too late. Typically the decorations come down ia couple of days after new years - with the shop windows changing to cruise wear.