The Shops at Columbus Circle’s annual “Holiday Under The Stars” celebration is returning next month, bringing back its glittering light display and a full season of free programming. And this year, three new additions are joining the lineup.
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The installation runs from November 9, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with 300,000 lights and 44 illuminated stars. In the Great Room, color-changing stars put on choreographed light shows every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to midnight. More glowing stars hang at the 58th and 60th Street entrances, and there are photo spots set up throughout the center at 10 Columbus Circle.The biggest new addition is The Personalization Station on the second floor, for gifts purchased at The Shops. On Saturdays, customers can get hand-calligraphed gift tags, and on Sundays, they can bring in a gift item to be embroidered with a festive motif, a name, initials or a short word.
Families with young kids have two new options. POWERHOUSE Books is hosting Family Holiday Storytime sessions on the second floor stage, featuring holiday stories that celebrate a range of traditions, backgrounds and religions. There’s also Little Star Seekers, a scavenger hunt that runs the entire season. Kids can check in at Guest Services on the ground floor to pick up a “passport,” then follow the activities and answer questions throughout the center. Those who finish get a holiday prize, while supplies last.
“This year, we’re especially excited to introduce new experiences for families and gift-givers alike, from hand-calligraphed tags and custom embroidery at The Personalization Station to an exciting scavenger hunt for our youngest guests,” Stephanie Fink, senior vice president of marketing, partnerships and events for The Shops at Columbus Circle, said in a statement.
Two favorites are also back. Broadway Under The Stars brings free performances from Broadway shows to the second floor stage, along with Q&As with cast members. Past performers have come from The Lion King, Aladdin, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), The Outsiders, Six and Maybe Happy Ending. And Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop, its early-childhood education program, returns with the WeBop Holiday Jazz Jam, free interactive holiday jazz shows where young kids and their caregivers can sing and swing along with live musicians.
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Here’s the full schedule:- Holiday Under The Stars light shows: Daily, November 9 through January 3, every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to midnight
- Broadway Under The Stars: Thursdays, November 12 and 19, and December 3, 10 and 17, 5 to 6 p.m.
- WeBop Holiday Jazz Jam: Fridays, November 13 and 20, and December 11 and 18, 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
- Family Holiday Storytime: Saturdays, November 14 and 21, and December 5, 12 and 19, 10 a.m.
- Personalization Station gift tags: Saturdays, November 14 through December 19, noon to 6 p.m.
- Personalization Station embroidery: Sundays, November 15 through December 20, noon to 6 p.m.
- Little Star Seekers scavenger hunt: November 9 through January 3, while supplies last
The Shops has also put together a Holiday Gift Guide with fashion, accessories, gourmet treats and limited-edition finds. More information is available at The Shops at Columbus Circle.
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