There’s nowhere quite as magical as New York City at Christmas time, that is as true today as it was 100 years ago. Check out how people through history celebrated the holidays in NYC.
Take a look through 22 pictures of a New York City of a bygone age. No doubt we’ve come a long way, see for yourself! Merry Christmas!
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 1964
Wow… people knew how to dress back then!
Christmas Tree in Washington Square Park in the 1950s
Looks so beautiful covered in snow!
Times Square on December 26, 1947
It looks SO different!
Macy’s in “Christmas shopping” season, December 1942
Thank god Black Friday didn’t exist back then
Rockefeller Christmas Tree in 1940
…how many Instagrams have you seen from this angle?
New York Public Library in the 1940s
aww, they were trying to keep the lions warm!
Macy’s Christmas Shoppers in 1948
It’s all so civilized!
The Rockefeller Center Rink in 1936
So different …but familiar at the same time.
Rockefeller Center in 1931
This is the first ever Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Christmas Window Displays in the 20s
Window shopping was just as much a holiday activity as it is today.
Union Square between 1910 and 1915.
So pretty.
Central Park in the 1910s
This is what it looks like when the internet and video game consoles didn’t exist.
Christmas tree at Madison Square Park in the 1910s
All those ropes… looks like the just caught it.
5th Avenue at 42nd Street, between in the 1910s
All those Christmas Shoppers, somethings never change.
The Mall in Central Park in the 1910s
This is 100 years old and looks like it could have been taken a week ago!
Macy’s between 1908 and 1917
Holiday windows have come a long way
Central Park in 1914
These kids sledding are making us a little jealous
NYC December 1903
So this is what a Christmas tree lot USED to look like.
Rockafeller Center in the 1950s.
We’ve gotten a LOT better at decorating the tree.
Rockafeller Center in 1933
This is the first ever tree lighting ceremony at the Rock.
New York Public Library, 1981
The Lion at The New York Public Library looked dapper in the 80s
Rockafeller Center in 1981
So beautiful!
Featured image source [Rockefeller Center]