Where To Find Holiday Lighting Displays In Harlem

HARLEM, NY — There's good news for Harlemites looking to avoid the crowds at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree this year: several holiday displays are already lit up around the neighborhood, providing the chance to celebrate closer to home.

The Department of Parks & Recreation is lighting up the five boroughs with special seasonal displays at 80 sites across New York City, including in Harlem.

"We know that throughout this challenging year, people have looked to our parks for refuge and recreation, and we want to continue inspiring joy by spreading holiday cheer," Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver said in a statement. "We hope that our lights can help illuminate the hearts of all New Yorkers as we celebrate the holidays and what they mean to us all."

Below is a list of all the parks department's planned holiday displays in and near Harlem:

• Morningside Park Tree Lighting Displays (2) — Park Information
• Jackie Robinson Park Seasonal Holiday Display — Park Information
• West Harlem Piers Park Tree Lighting Display — Park Information
• Marcus Garvey Park Seasonal Holiday Display — Park Information
• Central Park: W. 100th St. Menorah Lighting Display — Park Information

Other parks have taken it upon themselves to set up displays separate from the city, like St. Nicholas Park, which is inviting neighbors to hang ornaments on this year's Christmas tree.

Or, check out the Rockefeller Center tree, which has attracted even more attention than usual this year because of the owl that briefly stowed away in its branches.

The owl-free tree is open to the public through early January, but people must sign up online for a timed entry pass to see it. Here's how to visit.

Maya Kaufman contributed reporting.