New Holiday Tradition Is Growing And The Gifts Keep Giving All Year

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Visiting New York City to marvel at the grand holiday displays is an annual holiday tradition shared by those young and old, but those iconic bright city Christmas lights get their start in a nondescript workshop in Mount Vernon.

It is perhaps fitting that we now have our very own growing holiday tradition a little closer to home and best of all, 100 percent of the proceeds go to three local charities .

American Christmas has helped bring Manhattan's most iconic holiday displays to life, including Radio City Music Hall, Macy’s, and even the oft photographed Cartier, Saks, and Harry Winston light displays. Not surprisingly, this is the busy time of year for the Hudson Valley company, but once again, this holiday season, they are inviting the public to their Westchester County workshop to see the displays right at the source.

In fact, this year, they have rolled out an even bigger and brighter holiday extravaganza in November at their Mount Vernon studio space.

This year’s "Holiday Lane at American Christmas" is twice the size of last year's already impressive experience. With over 100,000 lights, and more than 100 animatronics and figurines in nine uniquely themed areas, the immersive experience has everything that made NYC synonymous with holiday lights (except for the aroma of roasting chestnuts).

The stroll through the Holiday Lane begins with "A Wish to the North Pole" where children and grownups can mail their handwritten notes to Santa. Of course, Santa isn't the only superstar from the North Pole as visitors move on to the "Stable Express," where they will meet friendly reindeer as they prepare to guide Santa's sleigh. Dreams are bound to come true at the "Grant Your Wish" display. "Sweet Dreams" brings sugar plum fairies and gingerbread delights to sugary life.

Other highlights include a peek behind the scenes of Santa's workshop. And the "Arctic Cave" that feels like a winter wonderland no matter what the weather is like outside. The journey of a lifetime concludes at Santa's sleigh as he prepares for his annual journey around the world.

While the "Holiday Lane at American Christmas" captures the magic of a holiday in the big city, Midtown Manhattan has more to offer than just dazzling holiday lights — world-renowned shopping for a start.

American Christmas has you covered there as well.

After a climate-controlled stroll of the winter wonderland, visitors can spend time in the expanded American Christmas Shop, which takes up two floors and features some of the most unique decorations found anywhere in the region (including collectable Christopher Radko ornaments).

Although, come to think of it, the American Christmas Shop doesn't quite capture the authentic grumpiness of New York City cashiers.

"Everyone who works there is really nice," Patch's unpaid, 5-year-old editorial assistant, who should have been in school, noted. "I guess you have to be nice to work in a Christmas place or people will think you're the Grinch."

For those who still insist on heading into the city to see American Christmas' displays in the wild, there is a new opportunity to take an expert as your guide.

This year, American Christmas is also offering a chance to win a tour of New York City’s most iconic displays with the people who created them and will provide an insightful history of those displays. Stop by the store and complete a form to enter. There will be eight tours offered. Tour maps are available for purchase in the store for those who would like to take a tour on their own.

As they did last year, American Christmas will donate one hundred percent of the net ticket sales to three area nonprofit organizations — The Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club, Northeast STEM Starter Academy of Mt. Vernon, and Youth Community Outreach Program of Mount Vernon. Last year, American Christmas donated a total of $81,213 equating to a $27,071 donation to each organization.

"Christmas is the most magical time of the year, and we are thrilled to be able to offer a one-of-a-kind experience with this year’s 'Holiday Lane at American Christmas' that is not only fun for all ages but also provides us with a great way to support our community through the donation of ticket sales to three important local organizations," American Christmas CEO Dan Casterella said. "Our team is ready to share the joy of the holiday season with this meticulously crafted experience that will ignite the magic of the holidays with an immersive experience like no other."

That support makes a huge difference for American Christmas' neighbors lasting long after the holidays are over and the Christmas trees have been taken down.

"I honestly cannot overstate the impact and importance of the support of last year and the anticipated support for 2023/2024," NSSA at Mount Vernon Director Gerald Dennis explained. "As a direct result of the American Christmas contribution, we were able to engage sixty additional students to attend our Summer STEM Camp Program this past summer. Our student surveys confirm that engaging 3rd through 10th graders for three weeks of the summer has a measurable impact ... The funding provided by American Christmas makes a tangible, long-term difference in the lives of the students attending public schools in Mount Vernon, and we are honored to be included in those organizations they support."

Holiday Lane will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon until 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, tickets are $10 for ages 2 -12 and $15 for ages 13 and up. Friday through Sunday tickets are $25 for adults 13 and up and $15 for kids ages 2 – 12. Children 2 and under are always free.

Santa will pay visits to Holiday Lane from November 8 through December 22, on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and Fridays from 6 p.m. through 8:30 p.m., at which time tickets are $25 per person.

While there is no formal photographer on site, visitors are welcome to take their own photos during their visit.

Holiday Lane will remain open through December 22. Tickets for the Christmas Experience are available here.

About American Christmas

American Christmas was founded in 1968 and was acquired by MK Illumination in 2017, making it the largest provider of festive lighting in the world. It provides turnkey solutions for incredibly complex and intricate commercial Christmas displays used by retail stores, building lobbies, corporate headquarters, hotels, malls and more across 30 states. American Christmas services include design and development, manufacturing and assembly, distribution, installation, removal, refurbishment and storage. The Mount Vernon warehouse has 70 full-time employees but expands to over 400 during the holiday season. For more information, visit the American Christmas website.