Winter Glow Returns to Flatiron and NoMad; A Celebration of Light, Art and Storytelling

Hosted by Flatiron NoMad Partnership, the annual free Winter Glow event will include monthlong exclusive neighborhood deals anchored by the unveiling of two new art installations on Flatiron North & South Plazas

Winter Glow will run from January 16 to February 28

New York, NY – January 6, 2025 – Today, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership announced the return of its annual seasonal public programming, Winter Glow, a celebration of light, art, and storytelling in the Flatiron and NoMad districts of Manhattan. Anchored by two striking interactive art installations— “The Diamonds” by Perséides Studio and “Spectrum” by Mirari from QDSinternational, both making their NYC debut. The six-week long program also includes a series of discounts and giveaways from neighborhood retail partners, all launching on January 16, 2025 through a kick-off celebration.

“We’re thrilled to open and extend our annual Winter Glow event into January and February, featuring two innovative and interactive public art installations,” said James Mettham, President of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. “By continuing this program beyond the December holidays, we’re bringing renewed energy to the district, fostering community connection, and encouraging visitors to explore and support our local businesses. We’re especially excited to welcome new international artists whose work adds fresh perspectives to our public spaces. Winter Glow perfectly aligns with our mission to create thriving public spaces that inspire a sense of belonging, pride, and safety, making Flatiron and NoMad a vibrant and welcoming destination year-round.”

District-wide Winter Glow festivities will launch on January 16 with a vibrant public art unveiling and celebration for community members and businesses.

Winter Glow Art

Following the renowned installation and journey of the “NYC Portal” this past summer, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership again partnered with NYC DOT Art to build on the momentum of bringing innovative art to notable public streetscapes. Anchoring the Winter Glow programming in 2025, “Spectrum” and “Diamonds” explore the boundaries of light and sound, combining modern technology and interactive design elements to create immersive public art experiences on Flatiron’s Public Plazas.

Spectrum by Mirari, distributed by QDSinternational, an artwork that invites engagement with others through sound-and-light dialogue, will make its New York City debut in the Flatiron district. The installation of illuminated rings transforms voices and sounds into luminous waves that ripple through the plaza. The installation translates spoken words into vibrant visual patterns, allowing visitors to see their voices come to life as a series of pulsating light waves between the rings and creating a dynamic interplay of sound and light that explores the nuances of communication.

“We are happy to present Spectrum for the first time in New York. After touring around the world, it’s a privilege to bring this project to such an iconic location as the Flatiron,” said Mirari. “We hope that Spectrum will serve as a pretext to generate encounters between strangers and thus encourage dialogue to question the place of art in society.”

The Diamonds by Perséides Studio, an interactive work composed of three colorful, luminous structures that come alive when spun like giant tops, will make its United States debut in Flatiron. The Diamonds features a trio of nearly 13-foot-tall rotating tops that harmonize light, music, and motion into a captivating symphony when spun by visitors. During the day, the polished rods of the three Diamonds catch and reflect ambient light, creating a shimmering effect that transforms with the changing sunlight. As night falls, they come alive with brightly colored lights that evolve and shift based on the speed of rotation to create dazzling shapes and patterns. Each Diamond in this luminous playground offers a distinct musical experience, with original melodies composed by musician Stefie Shock with notes and rhythms that change as spinning increases. The playful connection between light, sound, and movement in The Diamonds invites visitors to engage with the artwork, and one another, on multiple sensory levels.

“It is truly an honor and privilege that our work crosses borders and can bring people together by offering a moment of joy and poetry here in NYC, the crossroads of all cultures,” said Francis Laporte and Alexis Laurence of Perséides Studio.

“NYC DOT Art is dedicated to reimagining our public spaces with captivating installations which not only enhance our communities but also improve our public safety. Winter Glow will bring two interactive artworks to our Broadway Plazas, creating an engaging experience for both New Yorkers and visitors alike. We thank the Flatiron NoMad Partnership for bringing this vision to life,” said NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

Winter Glow Programming

Alongside the captivating public art installations—running from January 16 to February 28—Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s Winter Glow will feature a variety of engaging community initiatives throughout the district, including special discounts and giveaways from neighborhood retail partners including TADA! Youth Theater, bodē, Cha Cha Matcha, Tone House, Electric Shuffle, The Jazz Gallery, Othership Flatiron, Blue Dot, and many other local favorites. To enhance the lively atmosphere, new festive street lighting was installed to illuminate the district and encourage visitors after early winter sunsets, including the string lights above the North Plaza’s Eataly kiosk and the striking ‘tulip’ lights over the South Plaza’s Flatiron Plate seating area.

“We’re thrilled to see the Flatiron neighborhood come to life at night with these new lighting installations. Investments in public space have the power to transform communities, and this lighting will not only energize Flatiron but also strengthen connections to the businesses that make the district unique,” said Dynishal Gross, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services. “By enhancing the streetscape, we’re creating safer, more welcoming spaces that will continue to draw people to the area, even during the city’s winter season.”

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership has strategically extended Winter Glow programming beyond December into January and February, invigorating the Flatiron and NoMad districts during the quieter winter months. This shift aims to attract visitors, support local businesses during a need period, and enhance the neighborhood’s vibrancy for residents. The initiative also reflects the Partnership’s commitment to leveraging art and public-private collaboration to foster community and create thriving urban spaces. Earlier successes, such as the “ NYC Portal” installation in May 2024, led to a 47% increase in foot traffic compared to the previous year. Similarly, at Día de Muertos Week participating Mexican restaurants saw over 600 custom-made samples fly from their storefronts during the first-ever Taste of Mexico food tasting tour through the neighborhood.

Winter Glow supports the Flatiron NoMad Partnership’s broader alignment with NYC DOT’s Broadway Vision project—a 1.3-acre transformation of the Broadway corridor. By bringing public art and lighting initiatives to the district, the Partnership is enhancing the area’s aesthetics, and creating a safer, more populated and more pedestrianized environment for patrons. Since the implementation of the Broadway Vision plan in the spring of 2024, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership has seen a 42% rise in local employment and a surge in Citi Bike ridership—now averaging 7,764 rides per day in Q2 2024, up from 6,474 daily rides in 2022, a testament to the impact of the project.

For more information and updates on Winter Glow events and programming in the Flatiron and NoMad neighborhoods, visit https://flatironnomad.nyc/winter-glow/ or follow along on social for live updates at @FlatironNY.

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About The Flatiron NoMad Partnership

The Flatiron NoMad Partnership, formed in 2006, is a non-profit organization and business improvement district that serves the businesses, people, and places that help make Flatiron and NoMad two of Manhattan’s most iconic and authentic destinations. Home to a range of retailers and employers, cultural and educational institutions, and a thriving residential community, the district is a center of activity. The Partnership serves as a dedicated steward and supporter of public life in the district by maintaining a clean and safe environment; spearheading area improvement projects; and marketing and championing the diverse business and retail options in this vibrant and historic neighborhood.

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About NYC DOT Art

The New York City Department of Transportation Art Program (NYC DOT Art) partners with community-based not-for-profit organizations and professional artists to present temporary public art on NYC DOT property throughout the five boroughs for up to eleven months. Artists transform streets with colorful murals, dynamic projections, and eye-catching sculptures. A variety of public spaces serve as canvases for temporary arts, including sidewalks, fences, triangles, medians, bridges, jersey barriers, step streets, public plazas, and pedestrianized spaces. Since 2008, NYC DOT Art has produced over 475 temporary artworks citywide. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dotart and @nyc_DOTArt on Instagram.