The 10 Most Popular Commercial Holiday Decoration Trends Transforming Cities in 2025

Even as early as October, city streets start showing hints of the seasons ahead. One string of LED lights on a lamp post can bring the holiday rush closer, and a towering tree being assembled in a shopping plaza long before the carols play reminds you to put up your own at home. These quiet signals mark the moment public spaces shift into a celebration-ready wonderland that influences spending, movement and mood. What are the most popular commercial holiday decoration trends for cities?

This article is brought to you by Mosca Design, a leading provider of commercial holiday decorations for cities across the U.S. Since 1981, it has been creating and installing stunning displays for municipalities of all sizes.

1. The Central Christmas Tree

Christmas wouldn’t feel complete at any mall, plaza or public square without that tall, decorated tree. It’s often paired with oversized gifts at the base or a hanging Santa Claus on his sleigh.

If you put up one tree last year and want to up your game, why not go for three in varying heights? Christmas trees will never go out of style.

2. Holiday Wreaths

Another piece of classic greenery that shouldn’t be missed is the wreath. Like Christmas trees, it’s incredibly flexible when it comes to décor. Companies can even use their brand colors to tie their identity into the holiday theme. Match a wreath with your large tree for a cohesive look, put up a giant stand-alone one or opt for a minimalist design with a simple lighted display, omitting ornaments for a clean yet striking installation.

3. Pole Mounts

Decorating means filling every nook and cranny with the holiday spirit, and this includes street poles. You can immediately transform a space by adding embellishments to these tall structures.

Some ideas include illuminated figures like snowflakes and stars, and icons like angels, Santa Claus and reindeer. These displays draw attention — people can’t help but look up and appreciate them.

4. Window Garlands

Building interiors and exteriors don’t feel as lively without window garlands framing them. These classic additions instantly transform a building, signaling it’s ready to celebrate with the people and the festivities. To upgrade the usual garlands with a fresh look that truly captures the holiday spirit, try going extra large this year.

5. Interactive Installations

Some décor is so beautifully arranged it seems too delicate to touch. Yet, a growing trend in commercial displays embraces interactive installations that invite people to engage, whether by taking photos, sitting or posing with them. Archways are a favorite example, prized for their flexibility.

You can light them up and create a series that forms a tunnel, which is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Garland archways are also a reliable choice, especially when adorned with poinsettia blooms and balls in festive shades of red, green, gold and silver.

6. Santa Claus

Santa Claus is, of course, one of the most popular icons year after year within commercial spaces. Santa displays are especially effective in shopping malls and retail areas since he subconsciously conveys the idea of gifts and presents to children, fitting perfectly with the season of giving.

7. Fiberglass Christmas Statues

There are many options with fiberglass material. For more secular spaces, a nativity scene with life-sized statues is a fitting display. If you want something that appeals to the masses, you can even keep it simple with Santa’s sleigh chair and a sack of presents for people to sit on and take pictures. Another popular addition is a snowman, complete with an English top hat, bright scarf, bead eyes and carrot nose.

8. Castlecore Christmas

Castlecore has been rising throughout 2025 and is expected to become one of the biggest holiday trends, as well. While this trend originated in personal home décor, it’s no surprise that it’s also trickling into commercial displays.

For castlecore Christmas, think opulent and gilded holiday decorations that evokes a vintage feel reminiscent of hotels and premium malls, as if pulled straight from an old-world film. Details are ornate and metallic, reminiscent of castle life but for the city.

Commercial spaces can take this further with sculptural displays that feel like set pieces from a storybook. Some designers add toy soldiers or trumpeting angels positioned beside grand entrances, while others line walkways with banners and heraldic shields that hold subtle brand tie-ins without breaking the medieval feel. This style fits perfectly with Christmas, as medieval and fairytale aesthetics match the winter spirit.

9. Bows

When it comes to trends making a comeback, last year was big on bows — bows on everything, from grand red knots on buildings to ribbon-covered Christmas trees and wreaths. It’s not just the classic red velvet, too. Some people are choosing metallic colors like gold and silver, while others opt for velvet blues and greens that contrast beautifully with silver trees for a more eye-catching and unique look. For a bold statement piece, incorporate your company’s colors to bring your brand into the festive theme.

10. Animalia

Forest-inspired themes are also among the most in demand this holiday season. However, animalia décor is expanding far beyond the usual reindeer silhouettes. Cities and commercial spaces are creating full woodland scenes that feel almost theatrical.

Think clusters of life-size foxes peeking out from oversized pine cones, owls perched on illuminated branches or families of rabbits gathered beside a giant storybook prop inviting visitors to step in for photos. Some designs lean into soft fur textures and hand-carved details so the animals look almost alive, giving plazas and lobbies a cozy, enchanted-forest character.

Retail districts can pair these creatures with natural materials like birch logs, moss panels and frosted branches to ground the displays and create an earthy, winter-trail atmosphere. For malls that want a slightly whimsical spin, feathered birds in jewel-toned plumage or metallic accents add a spark of color without shifting away from the woodland spirit.

Practical Considerations When Designing for Urban Spaces

Holiday décor in a city operates on a different clock, and planners need to consider details that go beyond looking great in photos. A few key factors guide every installation:

• Durability and weather needs: Materials must handle winter wind, steady rain, long hours of sun and constant exposure. Fiberglass pieces, reinforced frames, UV-protected finishes and outdoor-rated LEDs keep displays looking sharp through the entire season.
• Safety and public interaction: Installations should stay stable through crowds, strollers, delivery carts and weekend events. Every element must be engineered to stay secure even when people lean in for photos or brush past during rush hour.
• Installation and takedown logistics: Some pieces need crews to assemble them off-site, delivering them during low-traffic windows and using lifts or cranes for large structures. This keeps disruptions to a minimum and protects the display.

How to Integrate Advertisements and Brand Sponsors

City displays often rely on sponsorships, and the most effective installations seamlessly integrate branding into the décor without disrupting the holiday atmosphere. Place logos on tree bases, fence panels or light-pole banners, where they feel natural to the scene.

Some cities use subtle brand colors in wreath ribbons or heraldic shields to maintain a cohesive tone. Others commission small sculptural accents of mascots, symbols or patterned backdrops that echo the partner’s identity without overwhelming the design. When done well, the partnership feels intentional, tasteful, and beneficial for both the space and the sponsor.

‘Tis the Season to Bring Magic to Your City’s Streets

The holiday season brings pressure and chaotic shopping, but you can help people ease into and enjoy the celebrations with displays and installations that create a magical experience. Make children and families smile this season by being part of what makes their holidays brighter.