THEN AND NOW: How the holidays in New York City have changed over the last 100 years

Darcy Schild,Max KalnitzNov 28, 2020, 15:58 IST

Holiday shopping at Macy's in 1946.AP PhotoCarl Nesensohn

There's something magical about the holiday season in New York City.
Symbols of the holidays in the city, like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, have been around for decades.
Other traditions, such as holiday shopping, look a little different today.
The coronavirus pandemic has shaken up some traditions even more, and many major events are going virtual this year.

The Big Apple usually draws millions of people from around the world to partake in holiday traditions like ice skating in Central Park and browsing iconic department stores' decorative windows with hot cocoa in-hand.

While some features of the holidays in the city have stayed the same over the past 100 years, many others have changed. This year we'll see even more changes to the city's beloved traditions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here's what the holidays used to look like in New York City, and what they're like now.

There has been a Christmas tree on the Rockefeller Center grounds since 1931.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 1934. MCNY/Gottscho-Schleisner/Getty Images

From 1942 until 1944, the Rockefeller Center tree went unlit due to World War II.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree being lifted in its position in 1946. Bettmann / Contributor via Getty Images

In 1949, the tree was painted silver to give it a more "wintry" look.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in 1949. Tom Fitzsimmons/AP

The famous tree continues to be a symbol of holiday festivities in Manhattan.

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Andres Kudacki/AP

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no public access for this year's tree lighting ceremony.

The 2020 Rockefeller Christmas tree being installed. Pacific Press/Getty Images

Even decades ago, people still waited until the last minute to shop for gifts ...

A woman and her daughter Christmas shopping at Macy's in New York City, 1946. AP PhotoCarl Nesensohn

... and holiday crowds existed even in the 1920s.

Shoppers flood 42nd Street in New York City in 1929. Paul Levine/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Last-minute retail crowds still exist, but this year, stores will be encouraging shoppers to practice social distancing.

Crowds swarm the New York City Macy's store in 2018 on Black Friday. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Locals and tourists continue to enjoy hitting the city's winter markets.

People walk by the holiday market at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park in November. Noam Galai/Getty Images

Lines at the post office were especially long during the holiday season, as people waited to send cards and gifts to loved ones.

People lined up at a post office in New York City, circa 1900. George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images

Oh, how times have changed. Snail mail is undoubtedly still an important part of the winter holidays, but in a different way, thanks to online shopping.

A United States Postal Service clerks sort mail at the USPS. John Gress/Reuters

Ice-skating was a favorite pastime during winters in the city.

A family ice skates at Central Park, circa 1938. Underwood & Underwood/Underwood Archives/Getty Images

Ice-skating in Central Park is still popular, but at new locations.

Kourtney Kardashian and her daughter, Penelope, ice skate in Central Park in 2018. Pierre Suu/GC Images

The Macy's flagship store in New York City featured its first Santa Claus figure during the holiday season in 1864.

A group of Santa Claus mascots at Macy's in 1948. Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Santa Claus has become a mainstay at the Macy's Herald Square store.

Santa also famously makes an appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Peter Kramer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

For the first time in nearly 160 years, Santa will not make an appearance at Macy's this year, due to the coronavirus.

Santa wore a mask to the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy's Inc.

The city has also seen record-breaking Hanukkah commemorations, such as the lighting of a massive menorah in both Brooklyn and Manhattan's Grand Army Plazas.

Onlookers watch during the lighting of the large Manhattan menorah in 2012. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Many of the city's most famous department stores deck the halls with ornate window displays and exterior decorations.

Holiday decorations at a department store. Walter Leporati/Getty Images

Over the years, stores' holiday decorations have gotten even more elaborate, thanks to LED lights, screens, and other advancements.

Saks Fifth Avenue's holiday store display. Jemal Countess/WireImage

Today, department store holiday displays continue to dazzle passers-by.

A Macy's holiday window display. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The Radio City Rockettes are also an iconic part of New York City in the holiday season.

The Rockettes, circa 1930s. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The Rockettes' famous "Toy Soldier" number in the group's "Christmas Spectacular" show is a must-see during the winter holidays.

The Rockettes' "Toy Soldier" routine. Bettmann/Contributor via Getty Images

In recent years, the Radio City Rockettes have continued to dazzle with sparkly outfits, high kicks, and pointed toes ... although, not this year.

The Radio City Rockettes. Xinhua/Wang Ying via Getty Images

"The Nutcracker" performed by the New York City Ballet is another famous symbol of the holidays.

Dancers in the "Nutcracker" ballet in 1954. Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images

Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until next year to catch a performance of the iconic ballet.

Dancers in "The Nutcracker" by the New York City Ballet. Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Times Square has been home to arguably the world's most famous New Year's Eve celebrations for more than a century.

New Years Eve in Times Square, 1947. NBC / Contributor via Getty Images

There have been seven versions of the New Year's Eve Times Square Ball over the years.

Electricians prepare the New Year's Eve ball in 1998. Susan Watts/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Times Square continues to be a popular place of celebration for the new year, despite many native New Yorkers not understanding the hype.

A couple celebrates the new year on January 1, 2019. Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

Just like everything else, however, this year's ball drop has moved online.

This year's ball drop is being celebrated online. REUTERS/Keith Bedford

8 major moments from Prince Charles and Princess Diana's marriage that 'The Crown' didn't show

Cookies on the Business Insider India website