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MAIN Arrow to Christmas Christmas Arrow to Christmas in the USA USA Arrow to Christmas in New York Christmas in New York Arrow to Christmas in New YorkRockefeller Center

rockefeller center christmas treeNew York City is noted for being ablaze with light and color for the holidays, but there's no place like Rockefeller Center - and its famous Christmas tree!

Traditionally lit on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving, this year's annual tree lighting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Can't be there? Watch for a special televised ceremony and live performances on NBC from 8 - 9PM ET.

The world's most famous Christmas tree -- located at Rockefeller Center between 5th and 6th Avenues from West 48th - 51st Streets -- will remain lit until 10PM each night thereafter until early January.

Meanwhile, keep it here for more information on who will host this year's Christmas tree lighting festivities including a star-studded performance lineup!


All about the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree


First Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, 1931
When the center was under construction in
1931, the first Rockefeller Center Christmas
tree was raised by workers in a holiday
tradition that continues to this day.

At Christmas, millions of tourists are drawn to the midtown Manhattan location as first-time visitors catch their first breathtaking glimpse of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Framed by the center's Promenade, where bedazzled angel figures trumpet the arrival of Christmas, the world's most famous Christmas tree is usually harvested in November by Rockefeller Center workers. They traditionally scout out locations within a 50-mile radius or more from New York City to find the current year's prime specimen.

The tree they pick is usually a Norway spruce, about 70 - 100 ft. tall. After being transported to the city with great fanfare, the tree is hoisted into place and prepared for days of decorating in a central location overlooking the Rockefeller Center ice rink.

Scaffolding is put up around the tree to assist workers in putting up 30,000 lights attached to 5 miles of wiring. The scaffold is then removed just in time for the grand lighting ceremony that traditionally occurs on a Wednesday evening the week following Thanksgiving .

Throughout the holiday season, the tree is lit from early morning to about 11 PM daily. The tree is finally taken down the week after New Year's Day. In the spirit of the season, it then is donated to a charitable organization to be milled into lumber to help in the construction of housing for a needy family.




Directions to Rockefeller Center

Located at 50th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, Rockefeller Center's central midtown Manhattan location is easy to get to by public transportation:

By subway: F, B, D or Q trains to 47-50 Streets-Rockefeller Center stop; the 6 train to 51st Street; or the 1 train to 50th Street.

By bus: From Fifth Avenue, take the M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 bus to 50th Street; or from Broadway take the M6 or M7 bus. Exit at 50th Street and walk east to Rockefeller Center.


DID YOU KNOW? Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Fun Facts

rockefeller center christmas tree star
The $1.5 million star of the show.

The first Rockefeller Christmas tree was erected in 1931 by workers who helped build the famous complex during the Great Depression. A makeshift affair, the 20-foot balsam fir was decorated with tin cans and paper garland.

• Today, the 550-pound Swarovski star that sits atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is made of 25,000 crystals, 720 LED bulbs, 44 circuit boards, and 3,000 feet of wire. The Christmas tree star is estimated to be worth $1.5 million.

• The tallest Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was a 100 ft. foot spruce from Killingworth, CT, erected on November 11, 1999.

• Every year, approximately 750,000 people visit the unofficial "national Christmas tree" to enjoy even more area attractions such as Radio City Music Hall, The Top of the Rock observatory, and St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.


What else to see and do - in and around Rockefeller Center:

Rockefeller Center map
Besides the world famous Christmas tree, a visit to Rockefeller Center might include
a twirl around the ice rink, a stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral, window shopping at Saks
Fifth Avenue, and visits to NBC studios, Top of the Rock, and Radio City Music Hall.


The Promenade

Rockefeller Center promenadeThe main entrance to the complex, visitors stroll toward the famous Christmas tree via the Promenade, which is traditionally decked out for the holidays with trumpeting angels and lush evergreens.

Straddling either side of the Promenade are shops offering world class shopping at fashion designer Michael Kors' flagship store, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift Shop, Crabtree & Evelyn, Teuscher Chocolatier, and more.


Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink

rockefeller ice rinkOf course, no trip would be complete without a glide around the ice at the world famous skating rink in the shadow of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree!

Small in size compared to other skating areas around the city, this 'boutique' rink holds a maximum of 150 people, so be prepared to wait on long lines, especially during holiday season weekends.

Admission: Check the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center website for the most current information. Adult admission is typically $10-14 and children are $7.50-8.50. Skate rentals and private lessons are also available. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 10:30pm; Friday - Saturday 8:30am - Midnight; Sunday 8:30am - 10:00pm

top of the rock observatory
Top of the Rock

Heading west to '30 Rock' (the GE Building) discover the entrance to the Top of the Rock observatory on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. The six-level observatory features both outdoor and indoor viewing areas to take in breathtaking vistas of the Empire State Building and Central Park.


Radio City Music Hall

radio city music hallTraveling further west to Sixth Avenue, Radio City Music Hall is home the Radio City Christmas Spectacular during the holidays. Check out the traditional eye-popping performance featuring the world famous Rockettes, and get your tickets early as they sell out fast! Ticket prices range from $45 for the third mezzanine seats to well over $200 for the front row.

 


also see in Travel -> Top New York City Tourist Attractions

Top Ten Most Romantic Places in New York City


More about Rockefeller Center around the Web:

Rockefeller Center - Check out the official site, complete with helpful information on what to see and do, where to shop and eat, with opening hours, applicable admission prices, related maps and directions, event calendar, photos.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Visitors Guide - Trip Savvy guide tells you when to see it, how to get there, plus fun facts and information, with related feature stories on other top NYC Christmas attractions around town.

Rockefeller Center - Wikipedia - Read the complete history of the complex including overviews of its art and architecture, the underground shopping concourse, the GE Building, related photo gallery, references and resources.



 
 

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