Holiday Magic Returns to Manhattan: Hudson Yards Unveils Its Dazzling 2025 Winter Season

New York’s holiday season is officially in full swing as Hudson Yards launches its sixth annual Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo, transforming the neighborhood into one of the city’s most striking winter destinations. Running through January 7, 2026, the program brings millions of lights, seasonal entertainment, cultural installations, and festive shopping moments to Manhattan’s West Side.

The neighborhood’s signature glow returns brighter than ever. This year’s display includes 115 miles of glittering holiday light strings — more than two million lights in total — along with 725 evergreen trees and a 32 foot hot air balloon centerpiece suspended in the Great Room. Eight new eleven foot Toy Soldiers join the installation, offering whimsical photo moments set against the illuminated backdrop of the Vessel.

Stephanie Fink, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Partnership and Events for Hudson Yards, reflected on the expanding tradition:

March of the Toy Soldiers

This year’s newest attraction brings six free pop-up performances featuring costumed Toy Soldiers inside the Great Room. Showtimes include:

• Thursday, December 4 at 6:00 pm

• Wednesday, December 10 at 6:30 pm

• Saturday, December 13 at 4:00 pm

• Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 pm

• Saturday, December 20 at 4:00 pm

Here Comes Santa

Santa arrives at The Shops at Hudson Yards on Black Friday and appears every Monday through Friday through December 23. Visits take place on Level 3 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and include free photos set against a winter wonderland scented by Aroma 360 fir trees. Sessions are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

A community menorah lighting, presented with Chabad of Midtown, will take place December 15 on the Public Square and Gardens.

Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s

The Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s returns with two holiday performances inside the Great Room on December 2 and December 11 at 5:30 pm. The ensemble brings together young musicians from diverse backgrounds and highlights the cultural vitality of the surrounding neighborhood.

Beginning December 5 and running through January 4, Hudson Yards presents Winterscapes, an immersive series of four installations placed throughout the Public Square and Gardens and Level 1 of The Shops. Visitors can explore scenes inspired by iconic New York destinations:

• A Broadway box office

• The Bronx Zoo

• The Brooklyn Bridge

• A subway station entrance

Neil Gallagher, Head of Sponsorships and Brand Engagement at Wells Fargo, shared the brand’s excitement for the seasonal experience:

On December 10, The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards host a festive Sip & Shop event from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Guests will enjoy:

• A live DJ

• More than ten Champagne Pommery bars

• Seasonal bites from Hudson Yards restaurants and eateries

• Exclusive discounts and offers across retailers

Mastercard cardholders receive additional perks, including entry to the Mastercard Beats & Bites holiday pop-up, special cocktails by sommelier Belinda Chang, and bites by chef JJ Johnson. Select retailers, including Jo Malone and Falconeri, will offer cardholder-only promotions. Terms apply and quantities are limited.

Hudson Yards’ retail portfolio spans luxury fashion, lifestyle brands, limited-edition beauty, stocking stuffers, advent calendars, and high-end gifting. Restaurants and cafés throughout the neighborhood offer seasonal menus and celebratory dining experiences.

HY+ Rewards members continue to enjoy monthly reward drops ranging from exclusive Santa sessions to complimentary parking with qualifying purchases. The program encourages guests to shop, dine, and earn during the holiday season.

As Hudson Yards’ holiday programming expands with new installations, returning traditions, and one-night-only events, the neighborhood cements its place as a defining destination for winter in New York. With millions of lights, imaginative city-inspired displays, live performances, and festive shopping, Shine Bright at Hudson Yards brings together the joy, spectacle, and cultural spark that make the season feel distinctly New York.