New Yorkers hoping to grab the biggest Black Friday bargains may find themselves up against even larger crowds this year, according to fresh data released by the city.
The Economic Development Corporation’s analysis revealed that last year, crowds swarmed popular spots like Bryant Park, Times Square, and SoHo in record numbers—over one million people turned out at those shopping hotspots alone. And the trend is set to continue, with city officials projecting another influx of visitors in 2025.
Meanwhile, locals shifted their shopping to the outlying boroughs. In Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, major retail corridors saw double‑digit increases in foot traffic between 2023 and 2024, as shoppers spread their holiday window-shopping across the city.
Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the role of the city’s holiday initiatives, noting that events ranging from festive markets to iconic department stores bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy—and attract visitors from across the country and around the world. He added that the administration’s efforts to open pedestrian‑friendly streets, protect public safety during large celebrations, and support small businesses have helped the city’s holiday economy grow year after year.
In 2024, the city welcomed a staggering 64.3 million visitors, the second‑highest tourist count ever recorded. A number of key destinations reported “impressive growth” from 2023 to 2024: Times Square saw roughly 48,000 more weekend visitors in December than the previous year, and Fifth Avenue added about 27,000. Compared to typical 2024 weekends, Bryant Park was 2.6 times busier, Fifth Avenue 2.3 times busier, and Times Square 1.5 times busier.
As expected, most of the Black Friday crowd at Times Square came from outside the five boroughs—about two‑thirds of total visitors—and roughly half hailed from beyond the metro area. In Queens, areas like Jamaica and Flushing recorded a combined 170,000 visitors on Black Friday 2024, up more than 11,000 from the prior year. In the Bronx’s Fordham Road and Brooklyn’s Metrotech, footfall rose by 11 % year over year.
However, city officials warn that 2025 could see a dip in international tourism. Roughly two million fewer foreign visitors are forecast, which could translate to a $4 billion loss in tourist spending. Despite these headwinds, Black Friday alone is expected to inject roughly $500 million into the city’s economy.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the millions of visitors whose spending will have a substantial economic impact and lift the local businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving—from Bryant Park to Flushing to Fordham and beyond,” said Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of the EDC. His remarks echo the city’s ongoing celebration of the holiday season’s energy across all five boroughs.
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