The Ultimate Guide To The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: When Do They Light The Iconic Tree In 2024 And 2025?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is arguably the most anticipated holiday event in the world, a beacon of hope and a quintessential symbol of Christmas in New York City. As of today, December 11, 2025, the official date for the next lighting ceremony is already set based on the long-standing tradition, allowing millions of visitors and viewers worldwide to plan their trips to Midtown Manhattan or tune into the live NBC broadcast. This comprehensive guide provides the confirmed 2024 date, the expected 2025 date, precise viewing hours, and all the essential details about the iconic Norway Spruce.

The annual ceremony draws crowds of hundreds of thousands to Rockefeller Plaza, and the televised special features world-class musical performances that kick off the holiday season. Knowing the exact date and time is crucial for anyone hoping to witness the moment the more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights illuminate the massive tree, transforming the plaza into a winter wonderland.

Confirmed Dates and Times for the Next Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremonies

The date for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is not chosen randomly; it follows a predictable, beloved tradition. The event is almost always held on the Wednesday following the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. This timing ensures the tree is lit just as the holiday shopping season hits its peak and remains a glorious centerpiece throughout December and into the new year.

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• 2024 Official Lighting Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
• 2024 Ceremony Start Time: Festivities and live performances typically begin at 8:00 p.m. EST.
• 2024 Official Lighting Time: The tree is ceremoniously lit just before the end of the broadcast, usually around 10:00 p.m. EST.
• 2025 Expected Lighting Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (Note: This date is based on the historical pattern of the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving and is the expected date for the 2025 ceremony.)

The ceremony is a massive production, broadcast live on NBC as "Christmas in Rockefeller Center." While the 2024 host and full lineup of musical performers are typically announced closer to the date, the event always features major celebrities and chart-topping artists, making it a must-watch spectacle.

The Tree's Daily Viewing Schedule: When Can You See the Lights?

Once the initial lighting ceremony is complete, the tree becomes a daily attraction for millions of tourists and New Yorkers. The impressive display of lights is available for viewing for over a month, with a few special exceptions to the daily schedule.

Standard Rockefeller Tree Viewing Hours

For the entire duration of the holiday season, from the lighting ceremony in December until the tree is taken down in January, the lights adhere to a standard daily schedule. This allows for both early morning and late-night visits to the plaza.

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• Daily Viewing Hours: 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight).

Special Holiday Viewing Hours

The tree’s viewing schedule is adjusted for the most important days of the holiday season, giving visitors a chance to see the iconic landmark at all hours.

• Christmas Day (December 25th): The tree remains lit for a full 24 hours.
• New Year’s Eve (December 31st): The lights are turned off earlier than usual, typically at 9:00 p.m. EST.

Planning your visit during off-peak times, such as early morning (5 a.m. to 8 a.m.) or late at night (11 p.m. to midnight), is highly recommended to avoid the massive crowds that congregate in Midtown Manhattan during the prime evening hours.

The End of the Season: When Do They Turn Off the Lights for Good?

The holiday season officially concludes at Rockefeller Center when the massive Norway Spruce is taken down. While the exact date is often announced only a week or two in advance, it consistently falls within a specific window.

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• Date the Lights are Turned Off (2024-2025 Season): The tree lit on December 4, 2024, will remain lit until the first or second week of January 2025, typically the weekend following the new year.
• Date the Lights are Turned Off (2025-2026 Season): Following the tradition, the tree lit in December 2025 will be taken down in early-to-mid January 2026.

After the lights are turned off and the tree is taken down, it is not simply discarded. In a beautiful post-holiday tradition, the lumber from the tree is milled and donated to Habitat for Humanity, where it is used in home construction. This sustainable practice extends the life and purpose of the holiday centerpiece, turning a temporary symbol into a lasting legacy of community support.

The Majestic Details: Tree Selection, Lights, and the Star

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is much more than just a large tree; it is an engineering marvel and a logistical undertaking that requires year-round planning. Understanding the criteria and components adds to the appreciation of this long-standing holiday tradition.

The Tree's Requirements and Type

The search for the perfect tree is a serious, year-long endeavor led by Rockefeller Center’s Head Gardener. The criteria are stringent to ensure the tree can withstand the journey to Midtown Manhattan and hold the weight of the massive decorations.

• Tree Type: Almost always a Norway Spruce (Picea abies), chosen for its ability to hold its needles and its sturdy, dense branches.
• Minimum Height: The tree must be at least 65 feet tall.
• Preferred Height: The ideal height for the Rockefeller Center tree is between 75 and 90 feet.
• Width Requirement: It must be at least 35 feet wide to achieve the necessary conical shape.
• Symmetry and Density: The tree must be perfectly symmetrical and extremely dense to look full when wrapped in lights.

The Iconic Decorations and Swarovski Star

The decorations themselves are a spectacle of modern engineering combined with classic holiday charm. The sheer number of lights and the size of the star are staggering statistics that contribute to the tree's global fame.

• Number of Lights: The tree is wrapped in over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.
• Length of Wire: The lights are strung on approximately five miles (8 kilometers) of wire.
• The Star: The tree is topped with a massive, three-dimensional Swarovski Star. The current star, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, weighs approximately 900 pounds, is 9 feet 4 inches in diameter, and features 70 spikes covered in three million crystals.

A History Rooted in Hope and Tradition

The tradition of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree dates back to the Great Depression, an era when a simple gesture of hope was paramount. The history of the lighting ceremony adds a layer of topical authority to the event.

• 1931: The first tree was erected by construction workers building Rockefeller Center. They pooled their money to buy a 20-foot balsam fir, decorating it with handmade garlands and cranberries.
• 1933: The first official lighting ceremony took place, making the tree an annual holiday tradition.
• 1951: The lighting ceremony was first televised nationally on NBC's The Kate Smith Show, cementing its status as a national holiday event.
• Post-9/11: The tree became an even stronger symbol of resilience and hope for New York City and the nation.

From its humble beginnings as a construction workers' gesture to its current status as a global television event, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting remains a powerful symbol. Whether you plan to brave the crowds in Midtown Manhattan or watch the live broadcast from the comfort of your home, marking the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving on your calendar is the key to celebrating the start of the holiday season.