The day after Thanksgiving marks Black Friday, which falls on November 29 and is the biggest shopping day of the year. Retailers across New York City will be opening early and rewarding intrepid shoppers with some sweet deals. Beyond the steep Black Friday savings, these shopping meccas welcome crowds to come witness the splendor of their lavish holiday décor.
Brookfield Place
Light up Luminaries represents the kickoff of the holiday season at downtown’s waterfront Brookfield Place. A magical light installation created by the LAB at Rockwell Group for Brookfield Place dazzles audiences with its interactive canopy of colorful lights that emanate from hundreds of suspended lanterns. Visitors can send touch-activated wishes up to the colorful canopy looming above. For every wish made during the holiday season, Brookfield Place will generously donate $1 (up to $25,000) to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer—an organization that helps fund childhood cancer research. 230 Vesey St., 212-978-1673, bfplny.com
Empire Outlets
After indulging in some turkey with all the fixings, head to Staten Island’s Empire Outlets to cash in on some Black Friday deals. On this blowout sale day, Empire Outlets will open at midnight. Beyond the enticing shopping deals there will be entertainment, on-site giveaways, and beyond. Those who require some down time can head to the “Rejuvenation Station” for free massages—just show your EO shop receipt. Through December 31, browsers can shop Empire’s Pop-Up Holiday Market. Located on the fourth floor, the market boasts gift items, warm beverages, baked goods, and more. The shop’s seasonal wares hail from a lineup of local merchants from Staten Island and beyond. Get into the holiday spirit on December 3. Empire Outlets will host a Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm. Festivities include live music, caroling, hot chocolate, seasonal bites, in-store shopping deals, and more. The date aligns with #GivingTuesday—a global day of giving. For the occasion, Empire Outlets teamed up with Toys For Tots, so be sure to bring some toys for children-in-need. From December 3 through December 24, children can take photos with Santa. 130 Stuyvesant Pl., empireoutlets.nyc
Hudson Yards
Shine On is a dramatic indoor-outdoor artistic light and music installation that will be aglow at Hudson Yards. Its debut will coincide with a lineup of fun seasonal events and experiences for all. The program, which kicks off on November 29, is designed to unite New Yorkers, visitors, and the community around art, shared experiences, and giving. Every day at 5 pm, visitors are invited to celebrate the New York City debut of artist Christopher Schardt’s Lyra—a series of star-shaped sculptures. Each is comprised of 12,000 individually controllable LED lights. Lyra creates a visual spectacle and is synchronized to a classical soundtrack. For a respite from the outdoors, guests can retreat to the Wells Fargo’s Lodge, which is home to a 360-degree photo booth. Hot chocolate and holiday cookies set the scene. Fun and games continue inside The Shops & Restaurants. On Levels 2 and 4, Wells Fargo Star Stations offer gift wrapping services, holiday card photo opportunities, and beyond. A portion of sales will be donated to charity. Located between 10thand 12thAvenues from W. 30thto W. 34thStreets. 646-954-3150, hudsonyardsnewyork.com/shineon
Meatpacking District
Credit: BreakThrough Media.
For one night only, retailers in the trendy Meatpacking District are opening up their doors to welcome all to the Very Merry holiday shopping experience. On Thursday, December 12th from 5 to 8pm, fashionistas can score big discounts of up to 40% on a range of labels from Alice + Olivia to Diane von Furstenberg, lululemon, Theory, Tory Burch, and beyond. Other participating brands include AllSaints; ARHAUS Furniture; Artists & Fleas; Chelsea Market Baskets; Columbia Sportswear; Damselfly Designs; Eberjey; Helmut Lang; Lie Sangbong; Lilla P; Little West Wine & Spirits; Lumas Gallery; Marcus; Moscot, O+M.nyc; Pearl River Mart; rag + bone; Rebecca Taylor; Reinstein|Ross Goldsmiths; T-Mobile; TrinaTurk; Urban Homes; Vine Men’s & Women’s; Warby Parker; Zach and Zoë Sweet Bee Farm; Zimmermann; and more. Take a break from browsing and enjoy complimentary sips and bites, raffles, and beyond. The Meatpacking Business Improvement District’s official headquarters will be located at Gansevoort Hotel (18 Ninth Ave.). There shoppers can snap up shopping guides, warm up with complimentary hot cocoa, and score some special giveaways. The Meatpacking District lies within the boundaries of Horatio St., 8th Avenue, the West Side Highway, and W. 17th St., meatpacking-district.com/events/2019verymerry. For more, visit eventbrite.com.
Seaport District
For a more relaxed holiday shopping experience, journey over to the Seaport District for local and artisanal Black Friday Deals. Lots of retailers and eateries will be offering select discounts. Alexis Bittar offers a “deal drive”—donate up to five cans of food for up to 30% off your purchase. Other deals include SJP, which offers 30% off select styles; Scotch & Soda, which bestows an additional 25% off sale items only from November 29 to December 2 (exclusions may apply). There’s also 40% off select eyewear styles at DITA and at Cynthia Rowley, fashionistas who spend $500 are granted 30% off. Shoppers who spend $100 at Lee Lee Forest will walk away with a complimentary scarf. Select full price items at 10 Corso Como are offered at 40% off—that includes designer labels such as Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga, Burberry, and beyond. Finally, Cobble & Co. is serving its full brunch menu from 11 to 3 pm (dinner until 11 pm with a seasonal “Cobble Gobble” turkey sandwich and pumpkin cheesecake for $8). While there, shoppers can also try their luck at Black Friday Bingo. After grabbing a custom Black Friday Bingo card at any retail destination, shoppers can validate each purchase on the card for the chance to score a Veuve Clicquot package at The Rooftop at Pier 17’s Winterland Rink. Only four validated retail purchases are needed for a chance to win. Those with full completion of the bingo board will receive a $200 gift card to a Seaport District restaurant of their choice (exclusions may apply). 89 South St., 212-732-8257, seaportdistrict.nyc
Woodpecker by David Burke
If you’re ready to refuel after some Black Friday shopping, bring your shopping receipt to Woodpecker by David Burke for half off! From 12 to 5pm on Friday, November 30th, shoppers can score half-off wood-fired pizzas and their bar tabs with a $20 beverage minimum. Reservations can be made by emailing reservations@igchospitality.com. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. 30 W. 30th St., 646-398-7664, woodpeckerbydb.com
