Stores around New York City have just unveiled their amazing annual holiday window displays and here are some of our favorites. Enjoying the artistry and humor that goes into these dazzling presentations is a fun (and free) way to spend an afternoon or evening in Manhattan. It's also a chance to find inspiration for your own holiday decor. Although Lord & Taylor and Henri Bendel both shuttered their flagship stores on Fifth Avenue during 2019, and Barneys New York is on the verge of closing, don’t worry! There are still plenty of elaborate and festive windows – and even some new surprises for you to take in.

Bloomingdale’s

For the 2019 holiday season, Bloomies honors the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing with Out of This World-themed windows where astronomy meets astrology and Ziggy Stardust meets the Jetsons. Silvery mannequins in shimmering capes, glittering tunics, and oversized jewels represent the signs of the zodiac. In another window, robotic arms hang ornaments on a gold tree, and you can push a button to select a carol played by robots.

Bergdorf Goodman

This luxury retailer typically features the most avant garde of Manhattan’s holiday window displays, and it stays true to form for 2019 with its Bergdorf GoodTimes theme. The tradition of fantastical storytelling continues with a celebration of parties and game nights. From a psychedelic, neon pinball game to a tongue-in-cheek board game, and a gigantic red and green chess board bedazzled with millions of sequins, the level of detail in each of the seven windows is amazing.

Saks Fifth Avenue

Themed around the new movie, “Frozen II,” Saks’ window display is a whimsical winter wonderland. It also includes a seven-story light show projected onto the building every 10 minutes from 5 to 11 PM. The concept continues inside the store with Disney’s “Frozen II” Enchanted Forest Experience on the ninth floor, which costs $5 and benefits the New York-Presbyterian Phyllis and David Komansky Children's Hospital.

Macy’s Herald Square

After almost a full year of planning and eight months of construction, this year’s holiday window theme at Macy’s is Believe in Wonder. Six windows tell the story of Santa Girl – a young girl who wishes to be Santa, while her dog Willow pretends to be a reindeer. There are also interactive components to this display. Willow’s nose extends through the window and visitors can rub it to make the animatronic pup respond, or they can take the wheel to help steer Santa Girl’s truck.

Louis Vuitton New York

Like an artfully wrapped present, the corner facade at Louis Vuitton is transformed in bright orange, yellow, purple, pink, and blue, with the signature logo initials prominently displayed. The color scheme continues in the pop art-style windows featuring iconic fashion, fluorescent sculptures, and 3D hearts and spheres.

Hudson Yards

Every day at 5 PM, five star-shaped digital sculptures suspended in and around The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards become the canvas for “Lyra,” an LED light show from artist Christopher Schardt, synchronized to a classical holiday soundtrack. We know, we know – this isn’t a traditional window display. But it’s a very cool, new visual spectacle you can catch from above and below while you’re holiday shopping in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods.

New for 2019

Four empty buildings on Fifth Avenue that formerly housed the flagship Polo Ralph Lauren, Henri Bendel, Massimo Dutti, and Tommy Hilfiger stores, now feature special holiday window scenes created by designer Mark Briggs. Sponsored by the Fifth Avenue Association, which represents 120 business along the famous thoroughfare, these windows are not brand specific. Instead, they portray the romance and nostalgia of the city in high winter, with scenes of ice skating in Central Park and skyscrapers made of gingerbread.

Find Inspiration

While these extravagant windows are worth seeing any time, most look their best after dark thanks to their beautiful lighting effects, but be aware that crowds can be dense on weekends and in the early evening. Take inspiration from their colors and themes to amp up or refresh your own holiday decor this year. And if you go a little overboard buying decorations only to realize in January that you’re short on space to store all your new baubles – don’t stress. Just rent a convenient storage unit to store your seasonal decor until next year.

For more storage and organization tips visit the CitiWide Self Storage blog.