Airports worldwide, including the Port Authority NY & NJ’s LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy, and Newark Liberty International airports, have recently completed, or are currently undertaking, major terminal redevelopment projects.
Today’s redeveloped airport terminals feature sweeping, light-filled, expansive interior spaces. These architectural designs, combined with passenger amenities, create a brilliant and modern aesthetic.
These spaces serve as central lounges or living areas at the airport, offering a perfect canvas for festive holiday cheer. Adornments such as giant Christmas trees and lights, holiday-themed events, entertainment, and a spirited palette of colors and special programs create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for travelers during the busy holiday season.
As Christmas cheer begins to flourish on the streets of New York, at retail shops and markets, restaurants and transport facilities, our airports in the metropolitan region are right there in sync. They, too, are decking the halls with boughs of holly, Christmas displays and trees, menorahs, and festive décor adorned with stunning holiday lighting.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
Norman Vincent Peale
Professional Christmas decorating services for airports create a comfy and relaxing environment with ornamentation and embellishments that take the stress out of travel during the holiday season. The warmth of well-planned and placed holiday décor has a calming effect on airport travelers and staff alike. It also provides unique photo opportunities that may contribute to image building and increased social sharing.
American Christmas is a leader in commercial holiday décor, serving cities, corporate headquarters, hotels, shopping centers, transport facilities, and more. Their festive holiday décor lighting up LaGuardia Airport Terminal B, JFK International’s Terminal 8, and Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal B spreads Holiday magic from check-in to takeoff and encourages travelers to arrive early, making them feel welcome, safe, and inspired to spend more time exploring shops.
Carefully selected holiday decorations may also represent a blend of cultural revelries, fostering an inclusive atmosphere that champions diversity. And for travelers who may be feeling emotionally isolated or lonely during the holidays, festive decorations, memorable holiday musical performances, and community initiatives can create a softened ambiance that helps to alleviate these feelings.
Beyond towering evergreens, sparkling seasonal decorations, and vibrant lighting, the holidays encompass a broad spectrum of traditions, activities, and sentiments, including spending time with family and loved ones, celebrating diverse cultural and religious events, and engaging in acts of kindness, charity, generosity, and community spirit.
JFK Rotary Club Kids Party held at the JetBlue Hangar 81.
This year, as in years past, holiday spirit and goodwill shall abound at PANYNJ owned and operated airports.
The JFK Airport Rotary Club held its 47th Annual Children’s Holiday Party, which brought smiles to 425 children with special needs from local schools, as well as Mill Neck School for the Deaf. This year’s event was held at JFK Airport, JetBlue Hangar 81. Santa arrived on a plane provided by JetBlue, and each child received lunch and snacks, backpacks and books donated by The Brooke Jackman Foundation, plus entertainment from a DJ, volunteer elves, clowns, and a gift from Santa.
The JFK Air Cargo Association held its Annual Holiday Luncheon and Toy Drive on December 11, 2025, at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens. The Annual Holiday Luncheon serves as the JFK Air Cargo Association’s Annual Toy Drive in conjunction with US Customs and Border Protection. These toys will be distributed to less fortunate children, giving them hope for the holiday season.
Fraport USA, one of the leading airport concessions developers in North America at seven major U.S. airports, will bring unique and innovative concessions programs to JFK International Airport’s Terminal 5 (T5) and Terminal B at Newark Liberty International.
Through a collaborative effort with the Port Authority and in partnership with JetBlue Airways, Fraport USA brings a new level of excitement and local character to JetBlue’s Terminal 5, offering travelers a truly vibrant New York City holiday atmosphere that resonates with its customers, its employees, and the surrounding community.
Focusing on the local community, Fraport USA engages the community through initiatives that support and promote small businesses and local vendors.
JFK Terminal 5 Holiday experiences include:
For the fourth consecutive year, Fraport is partnering with NYC Second Chance Rescue to bring adoptable dogs into T5 for a heartwarming experience.
Holiday Tunes will ring with a resident DJ, a violinist, carolers, a LIVE band, and a visit from the NYC Children’s Chorus to spread holiday songs and cheer.
A roaming Santa will do meet and greets throughout the terminal.
Gift Wrapping Station – Fraport, JetBlue, CSR+1, and iShoppes are partnering to bring gift wrapping in T5.
Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport welcomes travelers to the environs of New Jersey with three unique satellite concourse themes – Jersey Shore, Garden State, and Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. Each captures a sense of place with local pride, flavor, and holiday spirit.
This November, Newark Liberty (EWR) celebrated its Annual Holiday Kick Off with music, treats, and a visit from Santa. It was enjoyed by both passengers and employees.
As Fraport USA has expanded Terminal B’s concessions and holiday plans at Newark’s Terminal B, forthcoming holiday events will include:
Mr. & Mrs. Claus, who will roam the terminal and spread holiday cheer.
Local live performances.
Holiday Elves who will provide children’s crafts to traveling families.
Air travel numbers are expected to soar this holiday season; airports will inevitably be associated with stress, long queues, and possible weather delays, but the right sense of place in their surroundings can help travelers feel more at ease and make for a more enjoyable journey.
Whether at home or across the miles, wherever your holiday journey may take you, we at Metropolitan Airport News wish all a Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year.
Julia Lauria-Blum earned a degree in the Visual Arts at SUNY New Paltz. An early interest in women aviation pioneers led her to research the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of WW II. In 2001 she curated the permanent WASP exhibit at the American Airpower Museum (AAM) in Farmingdale, NY, and later curated 'Women Who Brought the War Home, Women War Correspondents, WWII’ at the AAM. Julia is the former curatorial assistant at the Cradle of Aviation Museum and is currently an editor for Metropolitan Airport News.
