Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Name: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Start: 2025-12-03
End: 2026-01-10
Location: Rockefeller Center

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Tips on the Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Nothing marks the beginning of the magical holiday season in New York City like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting. Check our Insider Guide tips on the best views of the tree, ice skating in Rockefeller Center, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Open Attractions and more.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

When is the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting?

The 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting will be Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is almost always lit the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. We have seen one exception to this in the last 15 years – in 2010 it was lit on a Tuesday.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Private Parties

These parties sell out EVERY year, so grab your tickets soon. Join us for a cocktail reception with waiter-passed hors d’oeuvres, a gourmet buffet dinner and live entertainment. As a special treat, a professional photographer will be on-site for personal photos throughout the evening! Our 7th Floor dining room offers a beautiful buffet, entertainment and cocktails with a direct line of site to the festivities.

2025 | VIP Rock Pass: Holiday Edition – Elevate your Rockefeller Center experience with VIP Rock Pass. A special holiday edition of VIP Rock Pass runs from December 5 through January 10. The only tour in NYC with up-close viewing of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree from Center Plaza (normally closed to the public), a photo with Santa on the Beam Experience (select dates only).
2025 | Tree Lighting Ceremony Indoor Viewing from 45 Rockefeller Center – Be whisked past security with your NYPD-approved credential letter and up to our private, third-floor retreat to watch the whole ceremony from the eight-foot glass windows in our gala hall. Gourmet food, free-flowing drinks and live entertainment.
TBD 2025 | VIP Exclusive New York City Holiday Tree Lighting Gala at Rockefeller Center & Rockettes – same gala as above with a slightly different menu & the next day, enjoy orchestra seats to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular & afterwards a licensed NYC guide will greet you for a fun and memorable walking tour of the Fifth Avenue holiday window displays. The grand finale will be afternoon tea with the Rockettes.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center is one of New York City’s most-celebrated events, with the iconic tree serving as a universal symbol of the most festive season of the year. Rather than joining the tens of thousands of onlookers crowding sidewalks in the bitter December cold, enjoy direct views of the tree lighting and accompanying festivities from one of the best views of Rockefeller Center!

NYC Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting

December 3, 2025 – January 10, 2026
Annual Tree Lighting
Ceremony, 7-10 pm

The unlit Rockefeller Center Christmas tree usually arrives in mid-November (the Tree will arrive on November 8th and will then be covered in more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on approximately 5 miles (8 km) of wire). The tree is from East Greenbush, New York and the 80-year-old Norway Spruce stands 80 feet tall and 43 feet in diameter.

Then, we have Thanksgiving and Black Friday, when the department stores unveil their famous window holiday displays… but it is the week after Thanksgiving that represents the true start of Holiday Season in NYC for many New Yorkers.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. The tree, traditionally a Norway Spruce, is illuminated by 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on approximately 5 miles (8 km) of wire and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. Tens of thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and hundreds of millions watch the Tree Lighting Ceremony broadcast live across the globe. The

Visiting hours will be daily 5am – 12am. On Christmas Day, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for a full 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 6am to 9pm. After being cut down, the tree will be donated to Habitat For Humanity.

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NYC Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting

NYC Insider Tip: When visiting the tree, enter Rockefeller Center from 5th Avenue and walk through the horn-blowing Angels toward the tree. Entering from the side, 47th or 50th streets is just not the same view or experience.

The horn-blowing Angels will lead you to the Rockefeller Tree, Prometheus and the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink. The Angels represent hope and Prometheus, the gold statue in Rockefeller Plaza, represents the ancient Greek legend of the Titan, bringing fire to mankind.

Rockefeller Center is between 5th and 7th Avenues and 47th and 50th Streets.

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NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Map

As you can see from this partial map of Rockefeller Center, entering from the Fifth Avenue side makes the first sight of the tree visit much nicer as you walk along the Angels (Channel Gardens), toward the Ice Skating Rink, looking at Prometheus (the statue behind the rink) and the Rockefeller Christmas Tree proudly presiding over the spectacular scene.

See Rockefeller Center for a complete downloadable map and directory or check here for Top of the Rock Holiday Hours

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Where are the BEST Views of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting?

Mariagiulia from Italy asked, “I would like to know (because it’s my first time at this event) where precisely will the stage be where celebrities will perform and, in your experience, where is the best spot with the closest view of the stage. And at which hour should I arrive to be in front?”

Of course, I asked my friend and Rockefeller Center expert, John, Manager of Top of the Rock.

Here is his response, “The talent usually performs down by the ice skating rink, in front of the Prometheus statue. She should probably arrive at about 4pm for the closest spot possible, but she’ll get no closer than the Channel Gardens because that’s where just about everyone there has to stand.”

For those who want an up close and warm view of the live entertainment and tree lighting, check out this: Exclusive Insider’s Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Gala

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Best Hotels Near Rockefeller Center

Some of our top value picks near Rockefeller Center include:

The Jewel facing Rockefeller Center – great value and location. My NY high school classmates stayed here for our reunion
3 West Club – consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
Radio City Apartments – a NYC Insider Guide Favorite
New Hotels: Motto by Hilton NYC Times Square * Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square * Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Times Square – All 3 created a 1000 room Hilton Hotel with 3 brands in the same building right next to Rockefeller Center

See the Insider Guide for dozens more Hotels Near Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center runs from 47th – 50th Streets, between 5th and 6th Aves. Download our free neighborhood maps at Midtown East Hotels and Midtown West Hotels

Holiday and Christmas Cruise Specials

NYC Insider Best Sellers every Holiday Season!!!! Classic Harbor cruises has some holiday treats just for YOU!!! Their upscale cruise line offers dozens of NYC Holiday Cruises, like Cocoa & Carols, Holiday Jazz, Holiday Brunch, Holiday Wine Tasting, New Year’s and many more, all year round.

These cruises SELL OUT QUICKLY, so make sure to head over to: Classic Harbor Holiday Cruises to book your holiday sail around Manhattan.

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Special Holiday Tours Open on Christmas Eve and/or Day

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NYC Insider Print Map and Guide to Manhattan

NYC Printable Guides – Available for Immediate Download

REALLY??? This is a lifesaver! I’m too ADD-riddled to ever have been able to compile all this info in a useful way. Thanks to these tools, our 3 short days in NYC will be spent just how we want with no time wasted. I really can’t say enough good things. To anyone on the fence about this purchase…it truly is the best $20 you can spend and will probably save you way more than that in time alone.

Honestly this was the best book I’ve ever purchased and it was worth every single dollar I spent on it!!

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New York City Holiday Lights Tours

New York City during Holiday season is a don’t miss! Get in the festive spirit by taking a Holiday Lights Tour. Choose from Bus Tours, Holiday Dining Cruises and Movie & TV Site Holiday tours.

Best of NYC Holiday Tours

Browse more NYC Holiday Tours

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

See More: December Holiday Tours in New York City

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Christmas in New York Holiday Season Calendar

Check our day by day guide to the Holiday Season in New York City. Thanksgiving, the Rockettes, Cocoa and Carols Cruises, The Nutcracker, Rockefeller Tree, Central Park Christmas Tree and more on our NYC Holiday Events Calendar. Deck the Halls, Light the Menorah and celebrate Christmas in New York with our calendar.

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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Photos

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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Video

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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – Ice Skating

For tourists and locals alike, ice skating at Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park is a classic New York winter experience.

All three major rinks are open on Christmas Day, as are most of the restaurants surrounding them.

Here are the details for Ice Skating in New York City, including rates and dates plus NYC Insider Tips for discounts and coupons.

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Christmas in New York City

Read the full NYC Insider Guide to Christmas in New York City to get the inside scoop and plan your Christmas holiday.

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Rockefeller Tree Lighting Performers

Kelly Clarkson, singer and daytime talk show star, will host and perform throughout the 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. As always, the Rockettes will be sure to “kick” off the holiday season. According to People, 2023 performers include Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Keke Palmer, Cher, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Carly Pearce and Manuel Turizo. The annual tree lighting will be broadcast nationally on NBC stations across the country and live-streamed on Peacock 8-10pm EST. The 7 p.m. special live hour will be hosted by “Access Hollywood” host Mario Lopez.

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Rockefeller Center More Info

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When is the Christmas Tree lighting in Rockefeller Center?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is almost always lit the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. We have seen one exception to this in the last 14 years (in 2010), when it was on a Tuesday.