The year 2020 in New York City has certainly not turned out as we all would have hoped when they were clearing confetti from Times Square on January 1. This holiday season is unlike any other one – no Radio City Christmas Spectacular, or NYCB Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, or Santaland at Macy’s, just to name a few- but despite the pandemic, the city came through again with plenty of gorgeous lights and decorations.

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I was so relieved when I heard Rockefeller Center would have a tree again this year. They limited access so that crowds didn’t gather unsafely taking photos under the tree, but it was easy to see it from Fifth Avenue (actually easier than usual, with so few tourists here).

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Similarly, it was great to see Saks continuing their tradition of decorating the facade of their building on Fifth Avenue (just across from the Rock Center tree) with a light/sound show every 15 minutes after dark. To see a video sample, check out my Instagram post here.

This display on Sixth Avenue is a favorite of mine. Again, if anything it is easier to appreciate this year with the crowds so light.

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Many holiday displays this year managed to work proper modeling of mask wearing into their offerings, including the New York Public Library lions and this nutcracker on Sixth Avenue.

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Walking along Fifth, you could mail a letter to Santa, or listen to holiday music played from the Cartier display.

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The Winter Village at Bryant Park and holiday market was back this year, just with more space between vendors and lighter crowds. Skating is going on as well, you can see a video of that here. To see this and many other holiday markets a few years ago, click here.

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There was no Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade winding through the streets of Manhattan this year, but the Macy’s windows remind us of the importance of gratitude this year – for our health care and essential workers (and for our health if we have been lucky enough to maintain it).

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There’s nothing quite as magical as New York City at Christmas, and we needed that delight and joy more than ever this year.

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St. Patrick’s Cathedral was as majestic as ever this Christmas season.

Once again, New Yorkers decorated their homes to celebrate this dark time of year – in a very dark year – with light, humor, and bright color. To see a previous blog post about residential holiday decorations, click here.

So the dropping of the Times Square ball will be televised this December 31, but will occur in an empty area gated to prevent people from gathering. Regardless, the rejoicing that will ensue as we welcome in 2021 will not be lessened in any way by celebrating at home. As I wrote on the piece of confetti that will fall as 2021 arrives in NYC, I have tremendous hope for health, love and prosperity in this new year ahead.