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Hudson Yards invites visitors to "Shine On" this holiday season

The neighborhood’s first holiday program will light up Manhattan’s West Side with an immersive light and music Installation, free holiday events and experiences for the entire family and extended shopping hours.

Hudson Yards today announced its inaugural holiday program, “Shine On,” incorporating a dramatic indoor-outdoor artistic light and music installation and seasonal events and experiences for the whole family designed to unite New Yorkers, visitors and the community around art, shared experience and giving back. The festivities begin at 8AM on Friday, November 29th on the Public Square & Gardens, around Vessel and in The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards with a full day of live performances and special events, including appearances by the Brooklyn Ballet, award winning a capella group Backtrack, the New York City Gospel Choir, harpist Emily Hopkins, local dance troupes, cookie decorating with William Greenberg and more. At 5PM, visitors are invited to celebrate the New York City debut of artist Christopher Schardt’s Lyra, a series of star-shaped sculptures, each comprised of 12,000 individually controllable LED lights, creating a visual spectacle synchronized to a classical soundtrack evoking the holiday season. The special “Shine On” show will occur every evening at 5PM, and the lights will undulate continuously throughout the day and night. “Shine On” is made possible with proud sponsor Wells Fargo. Visitors will also enjoy joyful moments throughout the neighborhood brought to you by SAP.

Lyra is inspired by the five-star constellation of the same name, which, according to Greek mythology, is the instrument Orpheus used to create music so captivating that everything in its vicinity—including inanimate objects—ccould be charmed. Artist Christopher Schardt captures this mystical energy in five large-scale stars suspended throughout the neighborhood. Viewed from below and above, visitors will see images of stars, plants, birds and abstract designs dance across the surface of the stars synchronized to music to create a continuous spectacle of sound and light. The installation was curated by Culture Corps, a creative consulting firm founded by Doreen Remen and Yvonne Force Villareal.

Lyra is intended to bring people together, creating a series of one-of-a-kind experiences to be enjoyed with those around you, so there’s no better time to introduce this work than at the holidays,” said artist Christopher Schardt. “No matter where you are within Hudson Yards, my hope is that Lyra inspires a moment of childlike wonder.”

In the spirit of the season, everyone who walks Vessel from November 29th to January 5th will help us in our support of various charities, including Everytown for Gun Safety, Food Bank for New York City, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Hudson Guild, New York Restoration Project and The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families. At the exit to Vessel, visitors will be able to select where they would like us to donate on their behalf. 

“It’s been an incredible eight months since we opened our doors and we’re looking forward to celebrating the holidays for the first time with the local community,” said Stacey Feder, CMO of Hudson Yards. “'Shine On' invites New Yorkers and visitors to make a difference while sharing the magic of the season with friends and family.” 

Every Saturday and Tuesday between November 30th–December 24th, Hudson Yards will offer more ways for New York to celebrate the season with free holiday programming including musical and dance performances, cookie decorating and other experiences throughout the day. The complete list of holiday events is available at www.HudsonYardsNewYork.com.

Visitors are also invited to join us at Wells Fargo’s Lodge, located just outside of Vessel, for a respite from the outdoors. The Lodge will be home to a 360-degree photo booth, hot chocolate sampling, holiday selfie cookies, charging stations and more. Fun and games continue inside The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards. On Levels 2 and 4, Wells Fargo kiosks will offer gift wrapping, holiday card photo opportunities and more. On Level 3, SAP will host a “Holiday Match and Win” game with a chance to win prizes from Hudson Yards retailers. Limited edition LED bracelets, sponsored by SAP, will be available at select retailers for $5, and will unlock special access and offers throughout The Shops & Restaurants. A portion of sales will go to charity. 

Select retailers and restaurants will offer exclusive merchandise at their Hudson Yards location for the inaugural holiday season in the neighborhood. Retailers offering exclusive merchandise include Neiman Marcus, Forty Five Ten, Micro Kickboard, Rhone, Lovepop and more. The restaurants will also offer special holiday menus and seasonal cocktails. Neiman Marcus will bring their beloved Breakfast with Santa tradition to New York City at The Zodiac Room on Saturday, December 7th and Saturday, December 14th at 8:30AM. The experience includes breakfast, a photo with Santa and surprise and delight animations throughout the meal. Advance reservations for Breakfast with Santa are required and can be made by calling (646) 562-3599. No matter your shopping style or gift recipient, The Shops at Hudson Yards’ unparalleled collection of leading brands, from luxury to fast fashion to digitally native brands, offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. 

The Shops & Restaurants will offer extended hours from Saturday, December 14th through Monday, December 23rd from 9AM to 10PM daily. Vessel will remain open seven days a week from 10AM to 9PM. In addition, please be advised of the below special holiday hours:

  • Thursday, November 28th (Thanksgiving Day): Shops closed; select restaurants are open
  • Friday, November 29th (Black Friday): 8AM to 10PM
  • Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve): 9AM to 6PM
  • Wednesday, December 25th (Christmas Day): Shops closed; select restaurants are open
  • Tuesday, December 31st (New Year’s Eve): 10AM to 6PM; select restaurants are open
  • Wednesday, January 1st (New Year’s Day): 11AM to 7PM

 

The merriment will continue into the New Year with celebrations throughout the neighborhood. Mercado Little Spain will celebrate Three Kings’ Day on January 6th with a special brunch at Spanish Diner and live performances from actors playing the Wise Men. 

For more information about The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, please visit www.HudsonYardsNewYork.com. Please share your best Hudson Yards holiday moments with #ShineOnHudsonYards.

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About Hudson Yards:
Hudson Yards is a new neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group. Hudson Yards is home to more than 100 shops and restaurants, including New York City’s first Neiman Marcus, an array of experiential and online retailers and a collection of leading brands in every category from luxury to fast fashion. The neighborhood features restaurants and food experiences by chefs and restaurateurs Thomas Keller, José Andrés, David Chang, Michael Lomonaco, Costas Spiliadis, Stephen Starr, rhubarb and Chef Peter Jin, D&D London and more; dynamic cultural institutions; 4,000 state-of-the-art modern residences; more than five acres of public plazas, gardens and groves; and eventually a new 750-seat public school—all offering unparalleled amenities for residents, employees and guests. For more information on Hudson Yards, please visit www.HudsonYardsNewYork.com.

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