New York in December is one of the most photographed places on earth, and for good reason. The trick to great holiday photos here is not finding the lights. It is getting to them at the right time, before the crowds and while there is still colour in the sky. These are the holiday photo spots in NYC I recommend most, with the 2026 dates and when to go.
First, the light
In December the sun sets around 4:30pm. The best window for holiday photos is the half hour or so after sunset, sometimes called blue hour. The lights are on, the sky is a deep blue rather than black, and faces are still easy to light well. Once it is fully dark the sky turns into a black void behind you and the lights do all the work, which can look great but is a different, harsher look.
So plan for late afternoon: golden hour in daylight first, then move to the lights as the sun goes down. My golden hour guide has sunset times through the year, and the Book page shows this week's times and light forecast.
Rockefeller Center
The tree is the headline, and in 2026 the lighting ceremony is on Wednesday, December 2. The tree then stays up until early January. It is also the busiest spot in the city, so timing matters more here than anywhere else.
Go early on a weekday morning, when the tree is lit and the plaza is almost empty, or right after sunset on a weeknight. Avoid weekend evenings entirely if you can. The Channel Gardens, the walkway of lit angels leading from Fifth Avenue to the tree, often make a better photograph than the tree itself, because they give you depth and a path to walk down. The Saks Fifth Avenue windows and light show are directly across the street.
It is a crowded, busy plaza, so I keep gear light and work quickly here. Plan on 15 to 20 minutes, not an hour.
Bryant Park Winter Village
The Winter Village opens on October 28, 2026. The holiday shops run until early January and the rink stays open until February 28, 2027. With the tree, the ice rink, the market stalls and the New York Public Library behind it, it feels festive without the crush of Rockefeller Center.
It is also a five-minute walk from Rockefeller, which makes the two an easy pairing for one session: start at Bryant Park in the last of the daylight and walk over to the tree as the lights take over. If you skate, a few frames on the ice are a lot of fun, especially with kids.
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
The most over-the-top holiday lights in the city: whole houses covered in lights, inflatables and life-size figures. The displays usually switch on the day after Thanksgiving, which is November 27 this year, and stay up until early January. The heart of it is 11th to 13th Avenue between 83rd and 86th Street.
The lights are generally on from about 5pm until 9pm, and many houses switch off after that. Weeknights are far calmer than weekends. These are private homes, so we stay on the sidewalk and keep driveways clear. Families with young children love it here, and it photographs as pure joy rather than polished and pretty.
The West Village
If you want something quieter and more timeless, the West Village is my favourite holiday backdrop. Brownstone stoops with wreaths on the doors, string lights in the trees, and streets like Perry, Charles and Bank that feel like a film set. It does not depend on one big installation, so it works in daylight as well as at dusk, and it never feels like you are queueing for a photo.
This is the one I recommend most for couples, and it pairs well with Washington Square Park, where the arch usually gets its own tree in early December.
Planning your holiday session
Book early. November and December weekends fill up first, especially the late afternoon slots. If the photos are for holiday cards, work backwards from your printing deadline. My post on family holiday photos in NYC explains when to book so the cards go out on time.
Treat the coat as the outfit. In December you will be wearing it in most frames, so it matters more than what is underneath. Camel, cream, burgundy, forest green and navy all sit beautifully against warm lights. Scarves and hats add colour without a costume change.
Plan for cold hands. Gloves come off for the ring shots and hand-holding, so bring hand warmers, especially for kids. A flask of hot chocolate between spots is a proven morale boost.
Pick one or two spots, not four. Traffic and crowds eat time in December. One neighbourhood done well beats a rushed tour of the city.
You can see my work with families on the families page, and when you are ready, send me your preferred dates.