The Fifth Avenue Snowflake by Munich-based lighting manufacturer Ingo Maurer now glows under the sponsorship of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's most distinguished centers for treating and researching serious childhood illnesses. Each winter, this
beloved New York icon creates a reflective atmosphere and draws millions of visitors into its glow. First installed in 2004 at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, the Snowflake has become a winter symbol of hope and unity.

In 2005, the Snowflake underwent a complete reimagining, enhanced in both scale and technical sophistication. What's striking is how weightless it appears, despite its considerable mass—a fascinating contradiction. At nearly nine metres in diameter and weighing roughly 1,500 kilograms, it's 40 percent larger than its 2004 predecessor. The team adorned it with more than 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms, each hand-mounted to the stainless steel framework by Ingo Maurer craftspeople. The lighting design is equally intricate, featuring over 400 LEDs working in concert. "Ingo Maurer has always been about visionary light design," explains Axel Schmid, chief designer at the firm. "We seek out unexpected places and transform them with luminous magic. Our pieces should move people—emotionally and through surprise. The Snowflake embodied everything we stand for: the freedom to experiment, explore, and challenge convention. It's been a privilege." Beyond the creative vision, the technical engineering of such an installation proved equally demanding.

The Snowflake endures New York's brutal winters with remarkable resilience. Throughout its operational life, it has weathered heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures without a single electrical failure or lost crystal. Each year, it's carefully dismantled, stored, and restored for the season ahead. Over nearly two decades, the Snowflake has raised millions for charitable causes. By partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital—a global leader in childhood cancer treatment and research—the installation gains profound new meaning. St. Jude's Memphis facility ensures families never face financial burden, allowing them to focus entirely on their child's care. Through this partnership, the Snowflake remains an iconic fixture of New York's urban landscape while becoming a powerful statement about solidarity, compassion, and shared responsibility.