Views from the Digital Collections: Holidays in NYC

By Cierra Bland, Social Media Manager
December 9, 2021
Photograph of a group of men dressed as Santa Claus on a bus

N.Y. City, Volunteers for America, Santas on bus going to their assigned stations. 1954. Photograph by Bedrich Grunzweig (1910-2009). © Bedrich Grunzweig. NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 57620629

There’s nothing like New York City during the Holiday season. Everywhere you look there are joyful reminders of the season–twinkling lights, Christmas tree vendors, magnificent displays, and modest expressions of holiday cheer. NYPL Digital Collections contain thousands of photos of New York City, including street scenes of the Holidays in the Big Apple. 

Black and white photo of a man standing between Christmas trees

New York, NY. Photograph by Morris Huberland. Morris Huberland Collection, NYPL. NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 5380849

Photo of Christmas lights on Park Avenue in New York City

Park Avenue. New York, NY. Photograph by Morris Huberland. Morris Huberland Collection, NYPL. NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 5762823

Sleigh ride in Prospect Park.

Sleigh ride in Prospect Park. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: G91F069_196ZF

huge pile of Christmas trees on the NYC waterfront

A shipment of Christmas trees unloaded on the New York City waterfront. 1924. Photograph by Underwood & Underwood. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 731389F

Children caroling. New York, NY

Children caroling. New York, NY. Photographer: Morris Huberland. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5749643

Photograph of a bin of broken toys

NYA Repairing Christmas Toys P. A. L. Photograph by  Arnold Eagle. 1941. NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 3925972

Black and white photo of a bare tree with ornaments

New York, NY. Photograph by Morris Huberland. Morris Huberland Collection, NYPL. NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 5762065

Photograph of lights on Park Avenue

Park Avenue. New York, NY. Photograph by Morris Huberland. Morris Huberland Collection, NYPL. NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 5762824

Fairgrounds - Christmas tree at night in front of Administration Building

Fairgrounds - Christmas tree at night in front of Administration Building. New York World's Fair (1939-1940: New York, N.Y.). NYPL Digital Collections, ID: 1670811

children in front of a decorated Christmas tree

Hudson Park Library, Christmas tree at Greenwich Settlement. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 100794

Christmas trees on the curb of a NYC street

Trees on a NYC curb. Photographer: Morris Huberland. NYPL Digital Collections, Image ID: 5381806