Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, New York City

Name: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Address: 45 Rockefeller Plz, New York City, 10111-0100, United States
Telephone: +1 212-332-6868

#68 among attractions in New York City

Cultural event, Tree, Event

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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, New York City

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0 / Rob Young / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / MichaelVadon / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / mastermaq / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Kingofthedead / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / MichaelVadon / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / MichaelVadon / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Ziad / URL

Facts and practical information

In the heart of New York City, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree stands as an iconic beacon of holiday cheer. This majestic tree, a beloved tourist attraction, is not only a symbol of Christmas in the Big Apple but also a testament to the city's capacity for wonder and communal celebration.

Each year, as the holiday season approaches, thousands of spectators from around the world flock to Rockefeller Center to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree. This event marks the unofficial beginning of the holiday season in the city, typically taking place after Thanksgiving in late November or early December.

The tradition of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree dates back to 1931, during the Great Depression, when workers at the Rockefeller Center construction site pooled their money to buy a Christmas tree. Now, the selection of the tree is a meticulous process, with the ideal specimen usually being a Norway spruce, standing at a minimum of 75 feet tall and boasting a breadth of around 45 feet. The chosen tree is often sourced from the northeastern United States and is transported to Manhattan with great fanfare.

Once erected in the plaza, the tree is adorned with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and crowned with a dazzling star. The lighting ceremony is a festive event, complete with live performances, and is broadcast to millions of viewers across the country.

Visitors can marvel at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree throughout the holiday season, until early January, when it is taken down. The tree is not just a spectacle but also serves a charitable purpose after the holidays; it is milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity, contributing to the construction of homes for families in need.

Beyond the tree, Rockefeller Center offers a multitude of holiday attractions, including the famous ice-skating rink at its base and the elaborate window displays of nearby Fifth Avenue shops. The tree's location is also adjacent to the Top of the Rock observation deck, providing an opportunity for tourists to enjoy panoramic views of the city.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 40°45'31"N, 73°58'42"W

Address

45 Rockefeller PlzMidtown Manhattan (Midtown East)New York City 10111-0100 United States

Contact

+1 212-332-6868

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New York City

Day trips

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center, Saks Fifth Avenue, Radio City Music Hall.

~1110 ftN
Museum, Art museum, Modern art museum
Museum of Modern Art, New York City
6 min walk • Nestled in the heart of New York City, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) stands as a sanctuary of creativity and innovation. Established in 1929, this illustrious institution is dedicated to being the foremost museum of modern art in the world.
~130 ftNW
Iconic Midtown business complex
Rockefeller Center, New York City
1 min walk • Rockefeller Center, an iconic landmark in the heart of New York City, encapsulates the vibrancy and dynamism of urban life. Known primarily as a sprawling shopping center, this complex of 19 commercial buildings is much more than a mere retail destination.
~450 ftSE
Shopping, Department store, Postmodern architecture
Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City
3 min walk • Saks Fifth Avenue is an emblem of luxury and fashion, nestled in the heart of New York City. This iconic department store, founded by Andrew Saks in 1867, is situated at 611 Fifth Avenue, one of the most prestigious shopping streets in the world.
~510 ftNW
Legendary theater, home of the Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
3 min walk • Radio City Music Hall stands as an iconic entertainment venue in the heart of New York City. Known as the "Showplace of the Nation," this theater has been captivating audiences with its unique blend of art deco style and modern production since its opening in 1932.
~1330 ftW
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
47th Street, New York City
7 min walk • 47th Street in New York City, often referred to as the heartbeat of the city's diamond district, is an iconic destination for both jewelry enthusiasts and curious tourists alike. Nestled in the bustling borough of Manhattan, this street is a glittering hub where an...
~580 ftE
Iconic church with storied history
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City
3 min walk • St. Patrick's Cathedral stands as a beacon of spiritual grace amidst the bustling streets of New York City, New York. This majestic cathedral, an embodiment of neo-Gothic architecture, has been a cornerstone of faith and history since its cornerstone was laid in 1858.
~990 ftNE
Church, Gothic Revival architecture, Richard Upjohn
Saint Thomas Church, New York City
5 min walk • Saint Thomas Church is an Episcopal parish church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York located at 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
~1400 ftSW
Yacht club, Sailing, Art Nouveau architecture
New York Yacht Club, New York City
7 min walk • The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. As of 2001, the organization was reported to have about 3,000 members.
~20 ftN
Ice rink
The Rink at Rockefeller Center, New York City
1 min walk • 1 Rockefeller Plaza is a 36-story building located on the east side of Rockefeller Plaza between 48th and 49th Streets in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Completed in 1937, the tower is part of Rockefeller Center, which was built in the Art Deco style.
~1310 ftW
Theater, Concerts and shows
Cort Theatre, New York City
7 min walk • The James Earl Jones Theatre, originally the Cort Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 138 West 48th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It was built in 1912 and designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb for impresario John Cort.
~700 ftE
Skyscraper
Olympic Tower, New York City
4 min walk • Olympic Tower is a 51-story, 620 ft-tall building at 641 and 645 Fifth Avenue, between 51st and 52nd Streets, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the mixed-use development contains condominium apartments, office space, and retail shops.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree?

Nearby attractions include Atlas Statue, New York City (2 min walk), International Building, New York City (2 min walk), 50th Street, New York City (3 min walk), Charles Scribner's Sons Building, New York City (3 min walk).

How to get to Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree by public transport?

The nearest stations to Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree:

Bus

East 49th Street/5th Avenue • Lines: M50 (1 min walk)
East 50th Street/5th Avenue • Lines: M50 (2 min walk)

Metro

47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center • Lines: <F>, B, D, F, M (4 min walk)
53rd Street–5th Avenue • Lines: E, M (6 min walk)

Train

Grand Central Terminal (11 min walk)
New York Penn Station (25 min walk)