Holiday Under the Stars – Midtown West
The Shops at Columbus Circle
10 Columbus Circle at 59th Street
Daily through Saturday, January 3, 5pm-midnight
FREE
You can't miss the enormous, illuminated stars hanging from the swanky shopping mall lobby's ceiling. Watch as they change colors to festive music. Don't worry about being overwhelmed by crowds of last-minute shoppers—the view here is actually better from outside. In fact, it's a perfect pit stop if you're headed to Lincoln Center for the Met's family opera Hansel and Gretel or the Big Apple Circus: Metamorphosis.

Gingerbread Extravaganza – Midtown West
Le Parker Meridien
119 West 56th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues
Daily through Sunday, January 4
FREE
Unfortunately this isn't happening in 2015. 
Gawk at replicas of New York City landmarks made entirely from gingerbread. The Coney Island Cyclone, the Empire State Building and a subway station are just a few of the iconic scenes crafted by local pastry chefs. For $1, you can vote for your favorite and be automatically entered to win a five-night stay at the Parker Palm Springs Resort. All proceeds benefit City Harvest.

Sony Plaza – Midtown East
550 Madison Avenue, between 55th and 56th Streets
FREE
Unfortunately this isn't happening in 2015.
This holiday light show at the Sony Plaza atrium is high-tech and interactive. Pose for a photo in front of a screen, dress it up with a festive digital frame and effects, and watch it scroll by on giant screens arranged to look like snowflakes. Look up and you'll see large glowing stars, reminiscent of the Shops at Columbus Circle. While there, pop into the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, a high-tech hands-on museum that's FREE to visit.

Teddy Bear and Penguin Village – Midtown East
Park Avenue Plaza
55 East 52nd Street, between Park and Madison Avenues
Due to renovations, this display isn't happening in 2015.
FREE
One of our favorite public atriums hosts a fantastic seasonal spectacle designed by Lou Nasti, the mastermind behind the Polizzotto family's jaw-dropping Dyker Heights decorations. This double-decker animatronic display features cuddly teddy bears and penguins making the most of the season in their frosty village. Kids get a kick out of watching them fish, play, take tea, bake cookies and tackle chores. It rivals even the best department store holiday windows. Also of note at the atrium: upscale shopping, a cafe, a live pianist and a fantastic waterfall.

Grand Central Terminal Light Show – Midtown East
89 East 42nd Street at Park Avenue
Unfortunately, this display isn't happening in 2015.
FREE
There's a lot to do in Grand Central Terminal, especially during the holidays. In addition to its annual holiday train show in the New York Transit Museum gallery annex, the station has totally revamped its holiday light show. In 2013, for example, multicolored lights were used in an animated show in the lobby's three west windows. Watch our video for a preview of what to expect.

Check out slide shows of department store windows, outrageous outer borough holiday light displays and other seasonal sights in our Holiday Fun Guide.

This post originally published in December 2013.