From the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular to the Bank of America’s Bryant Park Winter Village, ice skating in Central Park, and the light shows of Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City is globally renowned for its holiday lights and stunning holiday season displays. But your business does not need to be world-famous to take part in the NYC holiday spirit alongside these iconic spots.
Many NYC commercial building managers only think about Holiday decorations closer to the season, overlooking the role that early planning and design can play in transforming a seasonal display into a building’s signature moment of the year. This rushed approach can lead to missed branding opportunities and underwhelming results.
This 2025 edition of “The Ultimate NYC Holiday Decoration Checklist for Building Managers” is your complete guide to creating festive and memorable holiday displays that reflect your building’s identity. We’ll cover every stage, from planning to design trends, community engagement, and post-season storage, so you can deliver a holiday experience that exceeds expectations.
Picture a Manhattan office tower lobby that greets the holiday season with a sophisticated light display, evokes warmth and coziness with tasteful winter greenery in January, and maintains a polished, welcoming look long after the holiday rush. With a little planning, New York City businesses from the Upper West Side to Greenwich Village and from Manhattan commercial buildings to Brooklyn neighborhood cultural spots can enjoy the benefits of festive decor. Read on to learn how to maximize this season’s displays.
Plan Ahead: Timeline & Professional Assessment
While the winter holidays may be the last thing on your mind in June, we recommend that you start planning your seasonal decor as early as possible. This allows you to find the right installers and book your spot, conduct site surveys (considering issues such as power access, anchoring points, and weather-related risks), and handle any permits or special approvals.
Friedmann recommends aiming for a uniform, elegant look that is cohesive throughout your space.
Decor & Design Strategy: Stylish, Sustainable, Safe
While design trends come and go, some ideas stand the test of time and will always look timelessly stylish.
Lighting is a crucial component of any holiday season display. Consider modern options such as LED string lights, programmable projection mapping, and energy-efficient uplighting.
If your space has a large lobby, this is the ideal space for a spectacular focal point. Holiday trees, large wreaths, and LED displays with thematic color palettes and branded design elements can all be great options for lobbies. If you have a balcony or balconies, securely-mounted and weather-resistant fixtures such as holiday garlands can turn these functional spots into eyecatching focal points.
Photo-op spaces such as branded or themed backdrops can encourage residents and visitors to take photographs and post them on social media.
Regardless of the styles you choose, sustainability should be front and center in your holiday decor planning. Reusable decorations, recyclable materials, and low-energy lighting solutions are all great ways to add holiday cheer.
Resident & Tenant Engagement: Building Community Spirit
Beautiful holiday decorations do more than just look beautiful. They can also be a great way to build community spirit, serving as a backdrop for events and activities. Why not consider a holiday celebration or party in your lobby, a communal photo opportunity or selfie station for employees, a decorating contest for residents, a tree lighting ceremony, or a holiday season charity drive?
Buildium further suggests ideas such as gift wrapping parties, pot lucks, movie nights, and turkey giveaways to deliver Holiday cheer to residents or workers.
For residential buildings, involving residents in design decisions can foster a sense of ownership and participation.
Installation, Maintenance & Takedown
For anything but the simplest Holiday decorations, do not attempt to complete the installation yourself. Professional, code-compliant installation is essential to ensure safe displays, particularly for high-rise areas such as balconies and façades exposed to wind and snow.
Throughout the holiday season, schedule regular maintenance checks to address lighting outages and check your decorations for damage.
When the season ends, plan for a timely breakdown. Store your decorations in organized, labeled containers for quick reuse next year. Year-round decor solutions can keep your space looking beautiful long after December has come and gone.
Delightful Finishing Touches: Visual & Social Appeal
Holiday decorations are also an incredible branding opportunity for your business and can act as a marketing tool.
Create Instagram-worthy elements such as eye-catching lighting displays, interactive installations, or seasonal window art. Ensure brand consistency throughout, allowing your decorations to reflect your building’s image and your professionalism.
Choose color schemes that align with your brand colors, and an aesthetic that makes sense for your location and business type. A residential building in Midtown will require a different approach to a luxury shopping destination in the Financial District.
Professional Holiday Decorations and Holiday Season Displays for Commercial Buildings Across NYC
No matter the size of your NYC business or the style of your seasonal decor, a little forward planning can help you to get the most from the holiday season. Let’s recap the key items on our holiday decoration checklist:
- Plan early and professionally.
- Use stylish, sustainable, and building-appropriate designs.
- Engage residents with community-focused events and activities.
- Prioritize safety during installation, upkeep, and takedown.
- Add signature visual touches that enhance both the resident or visitor experience and public image.
With the right forward planning, your holiday displays can help to create higher tenant or visitor satisfaction, a stronger community spirit, and enhanced property reputation.
Ready to take your seasonal decor to the next level? Contact the team at Cambridge to get started on a custom 2025 holiday decor plan that blends safety, style, and unforgettable seasonal charm.