Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
A Symbol of the Holiday Season in New York City
The lights are bright at Rockefeller Center as the 11-ton Norway Spruce outside dazzles once again with tens of thousands of LED lights to mark the holiday season.
This Year’s Tree
This year’s tree is from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the first tree to come from that state since 1959. The tree is an 11-ton Norway Spruce that’s 74-feet tall and 43-feet wide. A Swarovski star crown sparkling with 3 million crystals will top it.
Lighting and Decorations
There are over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, connected by approximately five miles worth of wire.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting attracted more than just people. A few snow flurries came down during some star-studded performances next to the iconic skating rink. The night featured performances by Kelly Clarkson, The Backstreet Boys, Dan + Shay, Megan Hilty, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, Little Big Town, RAYE, Thalia, and The Radio City Rockettes.
Tree Hours
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight. On Christmas Eve, the tree will be lit for an entire 24 hours, whereas on New Year’s Eve the spruce will be illuminated from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tree Display
Rockefeller’s Christmas Tree will be on display to the public through mid-January 2025.
What Happens to the Tree After It Comes Down?
The tree goes from providing Christmas joy to providing housing. When the tree is taken down, it is laid in Rockefeller Plaza to be cut up and taken to a yard in New Jersey. There it is milled into two-by-four and two-by-six beams and branded with a Rockefeller Center stamp. Tishman Speyer, the firm that owns and operates Rockefeller Center, then donates the lumber to Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps to build and improve homes across the country.
Conclusion
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a beloved tradition in New York City, symbolizing the holiday season and bringing joy to millions of people each year. With its stunning decorations and star-studded performances, it’s an event not to be missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree from?
A: This year’s tree is from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Q: How tall and wide is the tree?
A: The tree is 74-feet tall and 43-feet wide.
Q: How many lights are on the tree?
A: There are over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on the tree.
Q: What happens to the tree after it comes down?
A: The tree is cut up and milled into lumber, which is then donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Q: How long will the tree be on display?
A: The tree will be on display through mid-January 2025.
