By Howard Morrel & Leslie Hirsch
One of New York’s most recognizable holiday traditions has returned to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
The Fifth Avenue Snowflake is once again suspended above the iconic Midtown crossroads, marking the beginning of the holiday season along one of Manhattan’s most celebrated shopping and cultural corridors. The 30-foot crystal installation will be officially illuminated on November 18, bringing its annual glow back to the heart of 57th Street.
A Holiday Landmark Above 57th Street
The Fifth Avenue Snowflake first appeared in 1984 and has since become a familiar part of the city’s holiday landscape. Measuring 30 feet tall and weighing approximately 3,300 pounds, the installation contains more than 16,500 individual crystal prisms.
Suspended high above the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, the snowflake sits at the center of a neighborhood that becomes especially distinctive during the holiday season. Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., The Plaza, Central Park and the luxury flagships lining Fifth Avenue are all within a few blocks, making the intersection one of Midtown’s most recognizable seasonal destinations.
Lighting Up Fifth Avenue
This year’s official Fifth Avenue Snowflake Outdoor Illumination Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 18, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public.
The annual lighting is organized in connection with the Fifth Avenue Snowflake Foundation for Humanity, the Fifth Avenue Association and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The installation has long served not only as a holiday decoration but also as a symbol of hope during the season.
Once illuminated, the snowflake becomes one of the defining visual markers of the holidays in Midtown, hovering above an intersection already surrounded by some of New York’s best-known architecture, hotels and storefronts.
The Holiday Season Along 57th Street
The snowflake’s return comes as the neighborhood begins its broader seasonal transformation.
Holiday displays are appearing along Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center is preparing for its annual Christmas Tree lighting, and nearby hotels and retailers are beginning their seasonal programming. Together, these traditions turn the blocks surrounding Fifth Avenue and 57th Street into one of the most festive areas of Manhattan.
For those who live, work or spend time along 57th Street, the Snowflake is more than a holiday installation. Its return is one of the clearest signals that the season has arrived in Midtown.
Planning a Visit
The Fifth Avenue Snowflake is located above the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
The official illumination ceremony will take place on November 18 from 5:00 to 6:30 PM and is free to attend. No tickets are required.
For anyone exploring the neighborhood this holiday season, the Snowflake offers a natural starting point for an evening along Fifth Avenue — with Central Park, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., Rockefeller Center and the surrounding 57th Street corridor all within walking distance.
As another holiday season begins in New York, the Fifth Avenue Snowflake is once again shining over 57th Street.
Want to learn more? Let’s talk!
All the best,
Howard Morrel & Leslie Hirsch
Christie’s International Real Estate
(212) 956-4823
mha@christiesrealestateny.com
