Insider Tips on New York’s 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 our 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, 2019
Christmas Tree Lighting Rockefeller Center
Annual Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
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.
2018 Info: The tree will stay up until 9pm on January 7, 2019 and will be illuminated from 5:30 am to midnight, all day (24 hours) on Christmas Day and 5:30 am – 9 pm on New Year’s Eve.
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Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
Completely Sold Out in 2018 – Book Your 2019 Party/ Package Soon!!!! Choose from:
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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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Rockefeller Center Discount Passes
CityPASS
Choose TOTR
or Guggenheim 
NY Explorer Pass
TOTR and Rock Center Tour attraction choices
New York Pass
Includes TOTR and Rock Center Tour
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Special Holiday Tours Open on Christmas Eve and/or Day
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Rockefeller Center 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, 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 to Stay in New York City in December
December is the perfect time to watch the world's most famous ball drop at midnight from your own New Year's Eve NYC Hotel, check into one of our hotels near Rockefeller Center (Rockettes at Radio City, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Ice Skating) or near Central Park for more iconic Ice Skating.
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
- Night Hotel - Rated the #1 Sexiest Hotel in America (best for couples)
- 3 West Club - consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
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
Best New Years Eve NYC Hotels
If watching the world's most famous ball drop at midnight from your own New Year's Eve NYC Hotel is on your bucket list, then don't miss your chance to reserve a special NYE package in NYC. Some of our favorites include:
- New York Marriott Marquis - rooms with Ball Drop views, multiple parties in hotel
- Casablanca Hotel Times Square - champagne on the rooftop close enough to "touch" the ball
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton - special hotel access to Times Square all night and to watch ball drop
See More: Best New Years Eve NYC Hotels
Central Park NY Hotels
These are NYC Insider hand picked hotels that are not just "near" Central Park, as most NYC hotels claim to be...but on the Park itself, either Central Park South, Central Park West or Fifth Ave. Many other hotels are nearby, or within a few blocks, but these are the closest, and all offer Park views from select rooms.
Some of our top value picks near Central Park include:
See the Insider Guide for dozens more Central Park NY Hotels and download our free Central Park map at Central Park NY Guide
NYC Hotels Best Holiday Decorations
Ready to have your own private winter wonderland during your NYC stay? Holiday Trees, Twinkling Lights, Santa's Mailbox, Menorahs and more.
- Lotte New York Palace - “Beautifully decorated for the holiday season” (photo)
- The NoMad Hotel - "calm oasis in midtown NYC with perfect lighting, comfortable velvet seating and a festive Christmas tree"
- Roosevelt Hotel NYC - "Loved the holiday decorations and festive feel”
See More: NYC Hotels Best Holiday Decorations
New York Christmas Vacation Packages
Prices on hotels tend to skyrocket during NYC's busiest time of year! Luckily, we have a fantastic NYC Vacation Company that has scoured the city to bring you the BEST deals and help you enjoy your NYC vacation. December is a great time to book your all inclusive NYC Vacation Package and save. All New York Christmas Vacation Packages include Hotel, Taxes, Free Attractions and Museums, Discounts, Maps, Vacation Planning Assistance and more.
Best New York Christmas Vacation Packages:
- Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular Hotel Package
- Christmas Dinner Staycation in New York City
- New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop Gala
- New Year's Eve Times Square Hotel
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NYC Insider Print Map and Guide to Manhattan
Download over 100 pages of NYC maps, information and recommendations in less than 5 minutes! Our NYC Insider Printable Map Guide Book, Travel Planner and Bonus Map Guides include organized, easy to follow, color coded guides, detailed maps of every neighborhood, weekly chart of Free Museum Days and Times and free weekly neighborhood tours, Best of NYC Categories and lists by ALL native New Yorkers. Download everything you need to know NYC Like a Pro and make the most of your NYC vacation.
The information provided is exactly what we were looking for to be able to plan our trip this year to NYC!! We are over the moon at all the information and maps we received. Our excitement has grown exponentially since we got our info. Thank you for the thoroughness of your guides! Well worth it! - Odette (March 2019)
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Where Should I Stand and When Should I Arrive?
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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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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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 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 2018 “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” telecast on NBC featured Diana Ross, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall, Brett Eldredge, Darci Lynne Farmer, John Legend, Martina McBride, Pentatonix and Kellie Pickler, plus a special appearance by Howie Mandel. As always, the Rockettes will be sure to "kick" off the holiday season. The TV special aired on NBC Nov. 28 at 8 p.m.
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Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
Completely Sold Out in 2018 – Book Your 2019 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!
More Info: New York City Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Vacation
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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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Prior Rockefeller Tree Lighting Dates
- 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
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.
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.
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.