Rockefeller Center and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in 2019
The holiday season is upon us with the observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday and New York City is making its streets more pedestrian friendly throughout the period to allow visitors and residents to see holiday attractions including the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the Saks Fifth Avenue department store holiday display.
The city is bringing back the pedestrianized area around Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall throughout the holiday season.
Starting on November 30 with the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the city will create pedestrian areas surrounding Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall using moveable barriers to partially or fully close streets to cars. West 49th and West 50th Streets between Fifth Avenue and the Avenue of the Americas, or Sixth Avenue, will be pedestrian-only areas from 11 a.m. local time to midnight every day.
In addition, for the first time in half a century, Fifth Avenue from 48th Street to 57th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from noon to 6 p.m. as part of the Fifth Avenue Open Street program on the three Sundays in December preceding Christmas Day. The festivities there will include performances by not-yet-announced performers as well as a selection of food and beverage vendors.
The Saks Fifth Avenue holiday display will feature the music of Elton John’s music as part of its holiday windows and light show. Sir Elton was present Tuesday evening to unveil the display, which will support the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Rocket Fun. He stopped traffic on Fifth Avenue with his performance of “Your Song.”
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
