Lighting of the Christmas tree lights at Rockefeller Center: event details

The lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree is a New York City holiday tradition that draws thousands of New Yorkers (and tourists) to the city's glittering downtown area every Christmas. According to Time-out, the tree will shine with its lights shortly after Thanksgiving.

Don't be the Grinch—if you miss the spectacular Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony, you'll probably regret it. Of course, there are various tree lighting ceremonies throughout New York, but the show at Rockefeller Center is the most famous. Don't miss your chance to see the Christmas tree towering over the city for the first time, ablaze with Christmas lights, just days after Thanksgiving in New York City.

This tree is one of the top attractions in New York that you need to visit in person. There's nothing better than ice skating, warming up with hot cocoa, and taking photos in front of Rockefeller Center's stunning Christmas tree.

When will the tree be lit this year?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be lit on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, during a special ceremony. The tree lighting ceremony takes place in Rockefeller Center between 49th and 50th streets in Manhattan.

The tree will be lit daily from 5am to midnight until early January. The tree will be lit for 24 hours on Christmas Day, and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve.

On the subject: Things to do in New York for the holidays: top 7 activities you need to try

This evening will feature fantastic artists and live music. The show will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson, along with TODAY co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin. Information about other performers will be announced additionally.

What is it like, Christmas tree 2023?

This year, the height of the Christmas tree, which was brought from Binghamton, reaches 24 meters. The giant Norway spruce reaches 13 meters in diameter and weighs 12 tons. More than 50 multi-colored LED bulbs will decorate the tree. It is crowned with a three-dimensional Swarovski star weighing 000 kg, sparkling with 400 million crystals. Architect Daniel Libeskind designed this stunning star in 3.

History of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony

The tradition of lighting the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center turns 90 this year. In 1931, construction workers erecting Rockefeller Center erected a Christmas tree, and that's where its history began. Two years later, in 1933, the first official tree lighting ceremony took place at Rockefeller Center, with 700 lights lit.