Christmas in New York City: Other Decorations

A number of the city’s well-known buildings and institutions decorate for the holidays. The corporation that owns the Empire State Building illuminates the upper floors of the building with red and green lights during the month of December. The Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York City public library system — located at Fifth Avenue between 41st and 42nd Streets — shows its holiday spirit by placing two 60-pound wreaths around the necks of the magnificent stone lions that adorn the steps to the building. New Yorkers have quickly become accustomed to the giant snow-flake that dangles above the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. The snowflake stands approximately two-and-one-half stories in height and contains 6,000 light bulbs. This seasonal decoration first appeared in 1984. Ritzy Park Avenue puts on its own show for Christmas, decking the trees planted in the Avenue’s meridians with white and gold lights. The display stretches for about two miles, beginning around 48th Street and ending at 96th Street.