London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2026

Sir Elton John and family step into Christmas as they surprise onlookers in NYC

Sir Elton John and family step into Christmas as they surprise onlookers in NYC

Sir Elton John and husband David Furnish were joined by their two boys as they surprised New Yorkers by unveiling Saks Fifth Avenue’s Christmas display.

Following a million-dollar donation by the department store to the rockstar’s Aids Foundation’s Rocket Fund, Sir Elton decided to show his gratitude and serenade members of the public who had turned up to watch the famous big reveal.

Stopping traffic on 49th Street, a grand piano was rolled into the middle of Fifth Avenue as the hall-of-famer prepared to take his seat.

Following some quick words from Saks CEO Marc J Metrick, the megastar took time to share his feelings with the crowd: ‘It means a great deal to me to have your support.

‘Thank you so much. I’m so thrilled to kick off the holiday season tonight and to be a part of this spectacular and iconic window unveiling and light show.’

Nodding an all clear, the singer’s husband then ushered their children Zachary, 11, and Elijah, nine, onto the stage to join in the festive celebrations.

Sir Elton John serenaded NYC citizens with the help of his family

The star pitched up in an extravagant golf cart to his waiting piano

A full family affair, the foursome counted down to their loved one’s big performance of his Billboard Hot 100 single Your Song.

After his performance was met with an enormous round of applause, the veteran performer joined the rest of his family in a seated section of the crowd to watch the lights show put on by the iconic shop.

The festive season extravaganza included an homage to the Tiny Dancer singer as it displayed rocket ships that projected on the side of the building’s façade.

The famous couple kept it in the family and counted down to the reveal with their two sons

Sir Elton was supported by his husband for the occasion and the pair watched on after the performance


Accompanying the fantastical showcase was a melody of Sir Elton’s hits that had the man himself bobbing along as he got into the spirit of things.

The light display was upstaged by a later explosion of fireworks that danced across the New York sky to the tune of Your Song, this time a pre-recorded version.

A full-circle moment, the song was influential in the artist’s early career and saved him from a lifetime of struggle – a fact that was shared in the star’s memoir Me.

Fifty years later, the icon watched on as it acted as an anthem for one of the world’s most iconic seasonal events that shut down roads in the middle of New York City.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Badenoch Offers Tory Votes to Keep Serious Offenders in Prison
Why Americans Queue for $15 Ice Cream and a $100 Caviar Pint
Another AI Genius Left the United States — and Silicon Valley Is Starting to Worry
Shein Reports $99mn Loss as Trade Barriers Test Low-Cost Model
CXMT Gains 466% in China’s Biggest IPO Since 2010
Amazon Seeks Approval for 5,105-Satellite Mobile Network
Burnham Puts School-to-Work Reform at Centre of Welfare Strategy
Johnson & Johnson Agrees to $5.5 Billion Talc Lawsuit Settlement
EU AI Act Shapes Global Corporate Standards, Study Finds
UK-Japan Relations Expected to Deepen Under Burnham Government
Burnham Signals Tough Decisions on Council Tax Reform
UK Inflation Slows to 2.6% in June
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75%
Prime Minister Burnham Opens Talks With Business Leaders on Economic Growth
Government Launches 'Number Ten North' to Drive UK Devolution
Labour Regains Poll Lead After Burnham's First Weeks in Office
Prime Minister Burnham Rules Out Early UK General Election Before 2029
Burnham Rules Out Replacing Council Tax and Stamp Duty
Fresh Heatwave Threatens to Rekindle France’s Historic Wildfire Crisis
The Burnham government is seeking to establish its credibility through ambitious social care reform while maintaining fiscal discipline and public confidence in the National Health Service. Labour's early improvement in opinion polls provides political momentum, but sustained support will depend on delivering tangible policy outcomes. Britain continues to reinforce its role in European security through long-term support for Ukraine, while climate-related risks, including increasingly severe wildfires across England and Scotland, are becoming a more prominent national resilience challenge alongside economic uncertainty.
United Kingdom Economy Remains Exposed to Global Energy Risks
Prime Minister Dismisses Calls for an Early General Election
Scottish Wildfires Continue to Stretch Emergency Services
United Kingdom Faces Rising Wildfire Risk as Heatwave Continues
Lower Oil Prices Ease Inflation Concerns and Support Financial Markets
Financial Conduct Authority Launches Consumer Campaign on Car Finance Compensation
Government Prioritises Employment Over Benefit Cuts in Welfare Reform Plans
Prime Minister Rules Out Sweeping Property Tax Changes Before Autumn Budget
AstraZeneca Beats Expectations as Cancer Medicines Drive Strong Profit Growth
Labour Regains Narrow Polling Lead After Burnham's First Week in Office
United Kingdom Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to Ukraine Under Burnham Government
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Makes Social Care Reform the First Major Test of His Government
Following OpenAI's Cyberattack: 'Most Companies Still Do Not Understand What Is Coming'
Autopsy Finds No Violence in Death of Epstein-Linked Model Scout
Indian Education Minister Resigns After Cockroach Youth Protests
California Desert Data-Centre Plan Stalls as Water and Power Disputes Mount
Northern Ireland Border Security Tightened After Military-Grade Explosive Interception
British Hospitality Sector Targets Summer Visitors Through Regional Promotions
England River Access Debate Intensifies After New Data Shows Limited Public Access
Royal Navy Strengthens Maritime Vigilance Amid Rising Security Concerns
UK Education Department Expands Mental Health Support for Young People Entering Work
UK Tourism Industry Launches Summer Campaigns to Boost Domestic Travel
North England Transport Plans Advance to Support Industrial Growth
Financial Markets Watch New Government’s Economic Strategy as Investors Assess Fiscal Risks
Royal Navy Continues Monitoring Russian Naval Activity Near UK Waters
UK Care Workers May Receive Immigration Exemptions Under Proposed Visa Changes
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper Begins Emergency Talks to Address NHS Staffing Shortages
UK Banks Launch High-Interest Savings Offers to Attract Household Deposits
North Sea Oil Drilling Projects Face Delays After Offshore Equipment Accident
Cairngorms Wildfire Highlights Growing Pressure on UK Emergency Services
×