Move over Fifth Avenue, Harlem is getting in the holiday windows game, and it’s all about the history! Spanning the corridor of Frederick Douglass Boulevard between 114^th and the 122^nd streets, eight businesses will display windows designed and executed by fifteen students from Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design (VPED) BFA program. The window displays will depict holiday-themed scenes from the Harlem Renaissance, and will be showcase from November 30 to January 2. Visitors are invited to stroll through the historic neighborhood throughout the holidays and enjoy the window displays while learning a bit of Harlem’s rich history. To kick off the season, two free window tours on November 30 and December 3 will be provided by ArtCrawl Harlem, Inc. The tours will feature live storytellers and vignettes with actors and performers bringing the windows to life. The family friendly outing will also include free children’s activities and coloring books highlighting historical themes of the period. This unique approach to presenting holiday windows offers an interesting alternative to the traditional downtown windows for the holidays.

Participating businesses include Vintage Harlem, Chocolat Restaurant, Vinateria, Lido Harlem, Harlem Tavern, Silvana, Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic, and Land Yoga. From smokey jazz and historical references, to dance, fashion and prohibition scenes, FIT students have created holiday-themed scenes from the Harlem Renaissance period (1910-1940). The displays offer both an educational and festive holiday experience with designs ranging from jazz and historical references to dance, fashion and prohibition scenes.

Harlem Holiday Windows free kick off event will start at the Harriet Tubman Statue on 122^ndStreet at 5:30pm on November 30, 2016 and will feature an interactive and inter-generational music performance by special guest Shine and the Moonbeams. The second kick off, also starting on 122^nd Street, will begin at 3pm on December 3, 2016 ending at the Shop Harlem Live Harlem Holiday Holiday Expo at MIST. Produced by Harlem Park to Park, the program will include an art filled afternoon for kids and adults. In addition to the free kick off tours on November 30, 2016 and December 3, 2016, ArtCrawl Harlem, Inc., is offering a full schedule of private tours and programming for individuals, groups, schools, and families, throughout the holiday season. Learn more about  Harlem Holiday Windows events and special tours HERE.

View Harlem Holiday Windows at the following businesses:

• Vintage Harlem NYC Wine & Spirits, 2235 FDB
• Chocolat, 2223 FDB
• Vinateria, 2211 FDB
• Lido Harlem, 2168 FDB
• Harlem Tavern, 2153 FDB
• Silvana, 300 W 116
• Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic, 2119 FDB
• Land Yoga, 2116 FDB

Harlem Holiday Windows is presented by ArtCrawl Harlem, in partnership with (HTB) Harlem Tourism Board, (HP2P) Harlem Park-to-Park and (FDBA) Frederick Douglass Boulevard Alliance – Harlem-based not-for-profit organizations whose programs and initiatives are designed to benefit businesses, property owners, and residents, foster tourism and showcase the vibrant neighborhood. The program  has been sponsored by Harlem Community Development Corporation (HCDC). Image: (Top)Window detail from Lido Restaurant, Harlem Holiday Windows 2014. Artist, Tijana Bjelajac/Photographer, Gregory Routt.

Take a stroll up or down The Boulevard to enjoy holiday window-watching in Harlem!

Designed and executed by fifteen students from Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design (VPED) BFA program, the windows bring Harlem's rich history to life. B or C trains to 116th Street | A, B, C or D trains to 125th Street | M10 Bus

View Harlem Holiday Windows at the following locations:

Vintage Harlem 2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Btwn. 120th & 121st Streets

Chocolat Restaurant 2223 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Corner of 120th Street

Vinateria  2211 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Corner of 119th Street

Lido Harlem 2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Corner of 117th Street

Harlem Tavern 2153 Frederick Douglass Blvd. Corner of 116th Street

Silvana 300 W 116th Street @ Frederick Douglass Blvd.

Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic 2119 Frederick Douglass Blvd Btwn. 114th & 115th Streets

Land Yoga  2116 Frederick Douglass Blvd Btwn. 114th & 115th Streets

Tour Eight HARLEM RENAISSANCE/HOLIDAY THEMED windows designed and executed by students from Fashion Institute of Technology!

Two FREE events kick off the season:

Wednesday, Nov 30, 2016 at 5:30 pm & Saturday, Dec 3, 2016 at 3 pm

Tours followed by these exciting activities:

11/30 – Musical performance by Shine and the Moonbeams at Silvana

12/3 –  Shop Harlem Live Harlem Holiday Expo at MIST. Produced by Harlem Park to Park, includes an art filled afternoon for all ages

12/10 – Interactive painting with artist Byron McCray, enjoy drinks and music.  All levels are welcome

12/11 –  Renaissance Remix Artists from The Hip Hop Culture Center lead a poetry workshop. All ages invited!!!

12/17 – Live, interactive storytelling with Daniel Carlton

All events start at 3PM on the Harriet Tubman Statue Triangle (122nd St. @ Frederick Douglass Blvd.)

 For more information on activities, or for private group tours and rates email artcrawlharlem@gmail.com or call 212.866.7427