There’s nowhere quite as magical as New York City at Christmas time, that is as true today as it was 100 years ago. Some features of the holidays in the city haven’t changed at all. Here’s what the holiday season in New York City used to look like.
Saint Nick in his early years 
Merry Christmas! 
Christmas window shopping 
People lined up at a post office in New York City, circa 1900. 
New York City was the first place in America to display a public Christmas tree, with the first going up in Madison Square Park in 1912. 
Shoppers flood 42nd Street in New York City in 1929. 
The Rockettes, circa 1930s. A family ice skates at Central Park, circa 1938 
Holiday shopping at Macy’s in 1946 New Years Eve in Times Square, 1947. A group of Santa Claus mascots at Macy’s in 1948.
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Vintage Gallery: Holiday season in New York City
The landmark Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza stands out Dec. 26, 1947, as a few hardy pedestrians make their way through the snowdrifts of one of the heaviest winter storms in years. 
A silver-sprayed 75-foot Norway spruce sparkles after its 7,500 bulbs were lighted for the first time in Rockefeller Center, Dec. 9, 1949. 
The pre-Christmas weekend holiday rush is on at Penn Station on Dec. 21, 1951. 
Christmas tree decorations in Rockefeller Center during the holiday season of 1959. 
Christmas scenes at Rockefeller Center mall in New York City on Dec. 17, 1974. 
Animals destined for the stage of Radio City Music Hall are led to the stage door by their co-stars, the Rockettes dancers, on Nov. 13, 1986.
