See a sweet world of cake, candy canes and other confections at this colorful “Land of 1000 Delights” display, which transforms images from The Nutcracker in the flagship windows. This scene features main character Clara Stahlbaum asleep, toy nutcracker in hand, beside a giant piece of pink layer cake. The Sugarplum Fairy, gingerbread children and the Mouse King appear in other windows.  

With the help of designer Roya Sullivan, Macy’s has once again created a series of festive window decorations. You’ll find Santa prepping gifts in the North Pole, Mr. & Mrs. Claus dancing and a scene based on the old story (and more recent TV special) “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.” In addition, a 15-foot Kris Kringle sits atop the main entrance. 

Taking their inspiration from Henri Rousseau paintings and 12th-century Chinese watercolors, Bergdorf Goodman’s “Destination Extraordinary” windows transport you to fantastical locations far from Fifth Avenue. Designs include an icy lagoon, a Wild West desert and a verdant tropical forest. The “Bird’s-Eye View” window features peacocks and a sleeping mannequin surrounded by dense greenery and plant life. 

Collaborators like Nick Cave, Ebony G. Patterson and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, lent their talents to Barneys this year for its “Love, Peace, Joy” windows. In this interactive window scene, Kenny, Cartman, Kyle and Stan peer into a toy store window, mirroring the spectators on the other side. 

The iconic Upper East Side department store has several displays this year, centered around the theme “Light.” One of the Lexington Avenue windows, “Underwater Stars,” shows elaborate, bejeweled mannequins in a subaquatic setting.

Henri Bendel’s Fifth Avenue windows (and atrium) feature versions of a graffitied mural by James Goldcrow, creator of Nolita’s “Bleeding Hearts Love Wall.” This year’s theme is “From Bendel with Love,” and the main window mixes refined art and graffiti with Bendel’s handbags and accessories. 

Under the theme “Enchanted Forest,” Lord & Taylor’s windows feature imaginative winter scenes filled with hand-sculpted animals dressed in their holiday finery. This playful tableau depicts a couple of mischievous raccoons trying their best to rouse a family of sleeping foxes. 

The Fifth Avenue flagship displays cozy wintry scenes of New York City, including a winter picnic in Central Park with champagne and cake, a jewel-filled tree in Rockefeller Center and the Manhattan skyline adorned with a glittering T square bracelet.