In pictures: The best Christmas window displays around the world

El Palacio de Hierro, Mexico

Following on from its story last year, which featured a host of fairies, El Palacio de Hierro’s 2020 windows tell the tale of a little girl who acquires the fairies’ magic after finding a wand outside the department store.

The little girl uses the magic to do good deeds and help others, eventually receiving a ‘totally Palacio’ gift.

The Christmas windows feature magical scenes including fairies exploring the night sky, a forest and even a candy fairy.

Galeries Lafayette, France

French department store Galeries Lafayette has taken inspiration from the Netflix Christmas movie Over the Moon in which the main character, Celeste, explores imaginary lands.

Each window around the store follows her journey, which continues inside with a giant Christmas tree, decorated accordingly.

The rooftop of the flagship Parisian store features an immersive experience based on the film for children to enjoy and there is also a pop-up shop on the children’s floor with exclusive merchandise.

The windows and Christmas tree were both unveiled online during November as the store was closed due to government restrictions.

Beco, Venezuela

Beco is a department store chain in Venezuela with eight stores across its four key cities. 

Its Christmas theme this year features characters from the ballet The Nutcracker, as well as trees and a traditional nativity scene.

The chain offers a personal shopping service both in store and online to aid customers in their preparation for Christmas.

This year, due to the pandemic, customers and their children will be able to meet Santa online via Zoom.

The Mall, Thailand

The Mall is one of Thailand’s biggest shopping centre operators. 

This year, its flagship eponymous brand is running two campaigns – ‘The Mall Joy of Giving Happy Factory’ and ‘Happier Together 2021’.

The fun kitsch decorations feature bright colours and festive novelties.

The first of the two campaigns will see The Mall operating in-store promotions and events including ‘The Magical Singing Christmas Tree’.

Le BHV Marais, France

Owned by Galeries Lafayette, Le BHV Marais is using the festive season to celebrate Italian culture and design.

In partnership with the Italian Trade Agency, BHV is promoting Italian products including exclusive brands across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and food.

The department store has decorated its windows with animated wooden puppets, such as the famous character Pinocchio.

It is also running a number of DIY events for the festive season, as well as offering Italian food market Eataly behind the store.

Harvey Nichols, London

Harvey Nichols has recognised what has been a tough year with its festive window display, featuring slogans such as ‘Bah humbug’ and ‘Bring on 2021’ in shining silver.

The windows also use neon lights and mirrors to bring attention to the messages with stars, mirror balls and lights.

Harvey Nichols’ head of visual display Janet Wardley said: “2020 has been a year unlike any other. We’ve come up with a concept that looks forward to the new year, while also reflecting the sentiment that many of us are feeling at present. 

“All done with Harvey Nichols’ sense of humour that we hope will raise a smile in passersby.”

Manor, Switzerland

This year, Swiss department store chain Manor’s Christmas slogan is ‘Une cadeau, une histoire’ (a gift, a story).

The retailer’s Basel flagship has been made to look like a gift, complete with red ribbon created from a light display.

Each window is a rip in the wrapping paper illustrating a story or moment that occurs between people throughout the festive season, such as decorating a Christmas tree.

SM Store, The Philippines

Due to the pandemic, SM Store is promoting ‘Christmas at Home’ this year, focusing on decorations in traditional colours of red, gold and white.

In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, SM Store has launched its Christmas markets to support local businesses.

Its ‘Buy Local, Support Local’ campaign will run until the beginning of January in 54 of its stores across the Philippines, featuring goods from micro, small and medium businesses near each location.

SM Stores’ displays include a selection of these locally produced items, promoting the campaign as a whole, in a bid to boost the economy after the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Liberty, London

Liberty’s slogan ‘Peace, Love and Liberty’ is exemplified in its window displays this year.

Inspired by the historic use of scarves as ‘small canvases’ to send messages of love and togetherness to loved ones, the window displays centre around hand-painted designs made in isolation by Liberty’s design director.

Key motifs including moons, doves, cherubs and holding hands are illustrated in Liberty’s windows.

Visual concept manager Lisa Clemenger said: “At Liberty we are like a family, and so the creative team have worked tirelessly throughout the night to tell our customers our Christmas story early before our doors close.

“The colourful yet poignant scheme relays a personal and emotional visual message to our community – we hope it brings hope, joy and positivity to all in these uncertain days.”