2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in NYC – Sneak Peek at What Families Can Expect
The annual Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place Wednesday, December 4, 2024, during the live broadcast of Christmas at Rockefeller Center.
The much-awaited annual event draws huge crowds and is broadcast on NBC’s “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” hosted this year by Kelly Clarkson, who also hosted last year’s tree lighting. With the line-up of festive musical performances, it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin from NBC’s “TODAY” show will host the tree lighting, with musical performances from the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay, Megan Hilty, Latin pop queen Thalia, and of course, the Radio City Rockettes. The show starts at 8 pm.
This year’s 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree hails from Massachusetts, marking the first time since 1959 that a tree from the state has been chosen! The Norway Spruce, is sourced from West Stockbridge in the Southern Berkshires.
Psst… Check Out the Rink at Rockefeller Center
Longtime NYC tradition
Native New Yorkers and tourists alike marvel at the Rockefeller Christmas Tree year after year. It’s not only a fun family outing during the holiday season but it has been around long enough to become a part of the city’s identity. It’s been a holiday tradition since 1931. Each year, a massive Norway spruce is chosen to be the star of the show, often measuring around 75 feet tall. It’s decorated with over 50,000 lights and topped with a stunning star, making it a fantastic sight to see in person year after year.
If you’re in the city, it’s a good excuse to bundle up and enjoy some time outdoors. The atmosphere is lively, it’s ideal for photo taking, and there are plenty of food vendors around, so there’s a lot to keep everyone entertained.
Visiting the tree also gives you the chance to explore Rockefeller Center itself, which is home to some iconic attractions, including ice skating at the rink below the tree. It’s a classic and memorable winter experience that the kids will love. Plus, you can stroll around and check out the other holiday displays in the area, soak in the festive atmosphere, and maybe even enjoy some hot chocolate nearby to round out the night.
Though massive, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is not just about the tree itself but the whole experience, from the dazzling lights and festive vibe to the busy crowds and that magical holiday feeling, making it a must-see for visitors from all over the world. Lucky for us, it’s right in our own backyard!
Tree Illumination Schedule:
- The 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will shine daily from 5 am to midnight.
- On Christmas Eve, it will remain lit for 24 hours.
- On New Year’s Eve, the tree will be illuminated from 5 am to 9 pm.
- The tree will be on display until mid-January.
Quick Facts About the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Height: 74 feet
- Weight: Approximately 11 tons
- Age: About 70 years
- Origin: West Stockbridge, Massachusetts (Southern Berkshires)
- Lights: Over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on approximately 5 miles of wire
- Star: A three-dimensional Swarovski star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018, weighing about 900 pounds and featuring 70 spikes covered in 3 million crystals
Important Dates
- Tree Arrival in NYC: November 9, 2024
- Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 4, 2024
- Tree Removal: Mid-January 2025
Visiting Hours
- Daily Lighting: 5 am-midnight
- Christmas Eve: Lit for 24 hours
- New Year’s Eve: Lit from 5 am – 9 pm
- Display Duration: Until mid-January
For more information, visit rockefellercenter.com.
Here at New York Family, we could not love the holidays more and that’s why we’ve created A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide! We’ve got everything you need to make 2024 your family’s best holiday ever: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa events, tree lightings, holiday light shows, gift guide, holiday shopping ideas, books, movies, elf ideas and so much more!
