Insider 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
Annual Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 3, 2020 – January ‘early’, 2021
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 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 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.
Visiting hours will be 6 a.m. to midnight daily through Jan. 11, 2020. On Christmas Day, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for a full 24 hours. After January 11th, the tree will be donated to Habitat For Humanity.
When is the 2021 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting?
Our best guess is that will be Wednesday, December 1, 2021, as it is almost always the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
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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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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 Party
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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
- Radisson Hotel Midtown-Fifth Avenue - rebranded and reopened in August 2019, some suites & kitchens.
- 3 West Club - consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
- Radio City Apartments - a NYC Insider Guide Favorite
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
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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 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.
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
The 2019 “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” telecast on NBC features Idina Menzel, Gwen Stefani, John Legend, Derek & Julianne Houg, Brett Eldredge, Lea Michele, Chicago, NE-YO, Straight No Chaser and Skylar Astin & Alex Newell. As always, the Rockettes will be sure to "kick" off the holiday season. The 87th annual tree lighting will be broadcast nationally on NBC from 8 p.m to 10 p.m EST. The holiday season kickoff event will be hosted by TODAY anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin.
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Save Big on Things to do in New York City
New York City Coupons and Discounts are available for almost everything one can do in NYC: concerts, shows, Broadway, sports, events, tours, attractions, beauty and spa and much more! See All: Insider Guide to ALL our NYC Coupons
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Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
Completely Sold Out in 2019 – Book Your 2020 Party/ Package Soon!!!! Choose from:
- Exclusive Insider’s Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Party or
- Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Vacation Package (Party, Hotel and Freebies!)
Get your special written consent to enter the private areas at Rockefeller Center on the day of the Tree Lighting. At 9pm, the private outdoor patio will be the perfect location to watch the famous tree as it is lit for the first time. Then, have your picture taken by a professional photographer with the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree as your backdrop! As far as I know, this is the ONLY private tree lighting party in NYC!
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Rockefeller Center More Info
- Visiting Rockefeller Center
- Hotels Near Rockefeller Center
- Insider Guide to the Top of the Rock
- Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
- Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
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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 10 years, when it was on a Tuesday.
- Wednesday, December 2, 2020 – January 2, 2021
- Wednesday, December 4, 2019 – Jan 11, 2020
- Wednesday, November 28, 2018
- Wednesday, November 29, 2017
- Wednesday, November 30, 2016
- Wednesday, December 2, 2015
- Wednesday, December 3, 2014
- Wednesday, December 4, 2013
- Wednesday, November 28, 2012
- Wednesday, November 30, 2011
- Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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When are tickets available for the 2020 lighting? Do you have any idea approx how much the tickets were for 2019?
Hi Aaron – I recommend checking back around April. That is usually when they announce the date of the tree lighting. I am not sure what the cost of tickets will be then.
I will be in NYC January 2 2020. I was curious how long the Rockefeller tree will be lit and also Saks & Macys holiday windows? I was hoping to see the Christmas decor!
Hi Tina – usually the Rock Center Tree is lit through the first week in January, though this year they have not announced a specific date. Last year it was up until January 7, 2019. The department stores also usually keep up their holiday displays for the first few days in January, however, there is no set or published schedule. You should be able to catch some of them on January 2nd.
I want to come to New York for thanksgiving day parade and to see the tree lit on a budget, plus which airport is best to land at for access to downtown.
Hi Dorothy. The choices to see the tree lit are to buy a ticket to a private party or to arrive around 4pm for a free viewing spot as we state under “Where Should I Stand and When Should I Arrive?”
Any of the airports are fine for getting to downtown Manhattan. All the details on NYC Airports (cost, transport times, best ways to get there) are on our NYC Airport Guide page.
How can I get free tickets to attend the christmas tree lighting ceremony concert at the Rockefeller plaza. -Evelyn
Hi Evelyn – there are no free tickets to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. You can either arrive around 4pm to get a good viewing spot free (the ceremony is 7-9pm) or you can pay for a private party ticket that overlooks the Tree Lighting and provides food, beverage and bathrooms.
Where do you get tickets for the private party?
Hi Ileen: Click here for ticket options for the Private Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Party.