Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
…Insider Tips on the Christmas Tree
Nothing marks the beginning of the magical holiday season in New York City like the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Check out the Insider Guide tips on the best views of the tree, ice skating in Rockefeller Center, Christmas Dinner, Christmas Open Attractions and more.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is officially scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
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Completely Sold Out in 2012 – Book Your 2013 Party/ Package Soon!!!! Choose from:
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2013. |
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Check out this great New York City Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Vacation customized by local NYC vacation experts. The package includes hotel, Exclusive Insider’s Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Party, Empire State Building and Top of the Rock (or many other choices) and much more. As far as I know this is the ONLY private tree lighting party in NYC!
- Exclusive Insider’s Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Party in Rockefeller Plaza, just steps from the Tree, including hors ‘d oeuvres and drinks
- Accommodations for 2 nights or longer at a midtown Manhattan hotel
- Optional holiday tours and events (additional cost), such as Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes and NYC Holiday Lights Tour
- Free admission to the Empire State Building Observatory, Museum of the City of New York or NY Water Taxi, Statue of Liberty Flex Pass
- Free admission to the American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art or Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- All state and local hotel taxes, and much more
- Rates from: $875 per person for a 2-night complete package
- Exclusive Insider’s Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Party
- Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Vacation Package
The best part is NYCVP does ALL the planning for you! Plus, you’ll have all your tickets and itineraries in hand before you visit! More Info: New York City Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Vacation
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More Holiday New York City Vacation Packages
All New York City Vacation Packages include Hotel, Taxes, Free Attractions and Museums, Discounts, Maps, Vacation Planning Assistance and more.
 Thanksgiving Vacation |
 Holiday Shopping |
 Christmas Vacations |
 New Years Eve Times Square |
Additional VERY affordable NYC Vacation Packages include: Yankees, US Open, Broadway, Valentine’s Day, Shopping, New Years Eve, Honeymoon, Family, Halloween and Fleet Week.
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Christmas Tree Lighting Rockefeller Center
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81st Annual Tree Lighting Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Ceremony, 7-9 pm The unlit Rockefeller Center Christmas tree usually arrives in mid-November. Then we have Thanksgiving and Black Friday, when the department stores have just unveiled 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. |
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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 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on five miles 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 tree will stay up until until 11pm on January 7th, 2013 and (in 2011) will be illuminated from 5:30 A.M. – 11:30 P.M. daily, all day (24 hours) on Christmas Day and 5:30 A.M. – 9 P.M. on New Year’s Eve. For more information, the public can call 212-632-3975 or see the Rockefeller Center Site.
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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting |
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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. Rockefeller Center is between 5th and 7th Avenues and 47th and 50th Streets. |
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| 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. Top of the Rock Holiday Hours | |||
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Rockefeller Center Discount Passes |
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CityPASS |
NY Explorer Pass |
New York Pass |
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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, 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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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
Where Should I Stand and When Should I Arrive? |
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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. |
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| 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.” | |||
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Join the top three NYC Deal Sites and save on your New York City Vacation starting today. The sooner you sign up (FREE) for the best NYC Deals, the sooner you start saving on:
Broadway: Restaurants: |
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Hotels Near Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center runs from 47th – 50th Streets, between 5th and 6th Aves. Both Midtown East Hotels and Midtown West Hotels will be nearby.
Hotels within a 5-10 minute walk to Rockefeller Center include:
- The London NYC | 151 West 54th Street (6th/7th Aves)
- Waldorf Astoria | 301 Park Ave (49th/50th Streets)
- Hilton New York | 1335 Ave of the Americas (= 6th Ave) at 53rd St
- Club Quarters, Rockefeller Center | 25 W 51st St at 5th Ave
Membership generally required for weeknights, but great rates and available to the public on weekends. - The Jewel Facing Rockefeller Center | 11 W 51 St at 5th Ave
- New York Palace Hotel | 455 Madison Avenue at 50th Street
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New York City Holiday Lights Tours
November 28 – December 30, 2013
6:30 pm, Wednesday Thursday, Friday and Saturday PLUS Dec. 25 at 6:30pm
No tours December 24th
NYC Insider Review: New York City Holiday Lights Tour
New York City during Holiday season is a don’t miss! Get in the festive spirit by taking an evening Holiday Lights Tour of Manhattan’s glittering holiday-season lights including: Central Park’s Holiday Markets, The tree at Lincoln Center, The World’s Largest Snowflake, all the store displays on Madison, Park and Fifth Avenues and lots more!
Though I always recommend you see as much as you can of NYC on foot, it’s not always possible. Seeing all of NYC’s attractions, trees and lights while covering the four square miles or so they encompass in one night and on foot can take a while, not to mention the crowds and cold weather.
To the rescue, this guided New York City Holiday Lights Tour takes place in a climate controlled luxury motor coach, with frequent stops to get out and view the displays up close. Tour Length: Approximately 3 1/2 to 4 hours, tickets from $49.
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More New York City Lights Tours
See our beautiful Skyline from all angles – in any weather!
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Christmas Holiday Walking Tour in NYC |
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November 29 through December 29, 2013 – Thursday through Sunday at 5:30pm.
On this tour, you’ll learn all about the history of Christmas in NYC, our famous lighted trees and Christmas music written in New York. See Holiday displays and store windows, holiday markets, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier’s and, of course, the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. 75 Minutes, Tickets from $20. |
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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Photos
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More Recommended New York City Hotel Deals
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Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Video
Here is another beautiful video of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
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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 |
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Read the full NYC Insider Guide to Christmas in New York City to get the inside scoop and plan your Christmas holiday. | ||
Top of the Rock Holiday Hours, Restaurants in Rockefeller Center
Thank you for visiting the NYC Insider Guide …welcome to our city and I hope you love it as much as I do!
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Welcome to New York City!
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