The Saks Fifth Avenue holiday light show is scheduled to return this November, bringing illuminated displays back to Fifth Avenue for the holiday season. The event did not take place last year, interrupting a tradition that had been held for more than two decades. According to ABC7 New York, the department store has confirmed the light show's revival, though more details are anticipated to emerge closer to the event.
Although the light show did not take place last year, Saks Fifth Avenue continued its holiday programming with a display of ornate holiday windows, maintaining a seasonal presence for both New Yorkers and visitors. In a statement obtained by Time Out New York, Emily Essner, Saks global president and chief commercial officer, described last year's cancellation as a "cost-cutting measure during a financially rocky year," but asserts the retailer is now poised to reignite the seasonal spectacle, which traditionally runs from late November until early January, barring a few exceptions around major events like Christmas Eve and the Rockefeller Center tree lighting.
The well-known light show at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store at 611 Fifth Avenue features thousands of lights synchronized to festive music, illuminating the building's façade. The display complements the nearby Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and draws large crowds of both tourists and locals. For optimal viewing, visitors are advised to arrive early. Popular spots include the Channel Gardens, where the view is framed by the Rockefeller angels, or the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral for a different vantage point.
This year, the streets will once again feature the retailer’s detailed and themed holiday window displays, accompanied by the return of the light show that combines visual design with festive music, all set against the backdrop of New York City's winter atmosphere. As noted by Time Out New York, the event is free and does not require tickets.
