London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 16, 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
French National Assembly Overrides Senate to Pass Historic Assisted-Dying Legislation
Spanish Prime Minister's Wife Ordered to Stand Trial as Corruption Probes Encircle Governing Party
Zelensky Faces Kyiv Protests Over Ousting of Dynamic Ukrainian Defense Minister
Colombia Influencer Dies After Cosmetic Procedure at Unlicensed Bogota Salon
Thomas Tuchel Faces Fierce Backlash After Tactical Retreat Costs England World Cup Final Berth
A Quiet Bastille Day: France Grapples with World Cup Heartbreak and Leftover Fireworks
Canadian Wildfire Crisis Triggers Transnational Air Quality Alerts Ahead of Soccer Finale
UK Housing Reform Debate Intensifies Over Tenant Protection Measures
UK Defence Official Challenges Russian Narrative on NATO Readiness and European Security
UK Names Independent Member to Judicial Pension Board to Strengthen Oversight
UK Parliamentary Committee Sets New Framework for Select Committee Leadership Roles
UK Government Pushes Energy Savings Through School Solar Expansion Plan
UK Committee Reviews Future of Gaelic Broadcasting and Language Support
UK Government Expands Industrial Skills Support in Wales as Steel Sector Faces Change
UK Rejects Russian Claims That European Defence Spending Is Aggressive
UK Schools and Gaelic Broadcasting Among Areas Reviewed in New Parliamentary Inquiries
UK Housing Committee Calls for Stronger Tenant Protections Under Rental Reform Plans
UK Government Faces Pressure for Stronger Oversight After South East Water Failings Report
UK Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Safety of Women and Girls on Public Transport
UK Defence Ministry Appoints Interim Chief Defence Medical Officer During Transition Period
UK Government Announces Five Million Pound Skills Programme for Young People in Port Talbot
UK Government Launches Solar Programme to Cut Energy Costs for Schools
Met Office Warns Extreme Weather Is Becoming More Common Across the UK
UK Government Faces Internal Debate Over New Chancellor Appointment Under Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham Set to Become UK Prime Minister After Keir Starmer’s Resignation
UK Economy Grows Slightly in May as Supply Chain Disruptions Continue to Weigh on Industry
British Steel Moves Into UK Public Ownership to Protect Domestic Steel Production and Jobs
Spain in Ecstasy: "We Feel Unbeatable, We Taught the Whole World a Lesson"
Spain and UK Dismantle Gibraltar Border Following Landmark Schengen Integration Treaty
Church of England Rejects Plan to Rewild Thirty Percent of Land by 2030
UK Parliament Examines Future of Gaelic Broadcasting in Scotland
Thames Water Faces Criticism Over Four Million Pounds in Bonus Payments
South East Water Crisis Puts UK Water Regulation Under Renewed Scrutiny
UK Report Highlights Racial Inequality in Homelessness Support Services
UK Government Defends Proposed Social Media Curfew for Teenagers Despite Criticism
Reform UK Gains Recognition as Major Political Party in New Polling
Labour Party Faces Internal Divisions Over Gaza Policy and Asylum Reform
Experts Warn UK Housing and Transport Infrastructure Is Unprepared for Rising Extreme Heat
UK Human Rights Committee Begins Review of Immigration and Asylum Bill
UK Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Declining High Streets Across England
Bank of England Governor Warns of Growing AI Risks to Global Financial Security
UK Public Finance Institutions Mobilize Fifty Billion Pounds to Support Growth and Jobs
UK Parliament Opens Inquiry Into Long-Term Strategy Toward Russia
UK-India Trade Agreement Takes Effect With Zero-Duty Access for Nearly All Indian Exports
Forget Tinder: The Surprising Platform Where People Find Love
UK Government Faces Growing Debate Over Local Control of Immigration Enforcement
UK Biodiversity Forum Highlights Business Need to Protect Natural Environment
UK Parliament to Consider Workplace Temperature Limits Amid Climate Concerns
UK Parliament Considers Independent Immigration Appeals Authority Proposal
BBC Charter Renewal Scrutiny Intensifies as Parliament Reviews Broadcaster’s Future
×