Unwrapped: The Official Date, Time, And All-Star Lineup For The 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting

The most anticipated holiday event in New York City, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, is officially scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, 2025. This annual ceremony marks the unofficial start of the holiday season in Midtown Manhattan, drawing millions of viewers worldwide to witness the illumination of the magnificent, multi-ton Norway Spruce.

The event, broadcast live on NBC’s "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," is a star-studded spectacle featuring top musical acts, hosts, and a crowd of excited spectators. The 2025 ceremony promises to be one of the biggest yet, featuring a stunning 75-foot tree and a lineup of legendary performers, with the actual lighting moment occurring just before 10:00 p.m. EST. This is the definitive guide to everything you need to know about the 2025 lighting ceremony, from the tree’s origin to the celebrity guests.

The Official 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Schedule and Details

The tradition of lighting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a beloved ritual that dates back nearly a century. For the 2025 season, the event continues its long-standing custom of taking place on the first Wednesday after the Thanksgiving holiday, making the date December 3, 2025.

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Key Details for the 2025 Tree Lighting:

• Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Time: The live broadcast, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," begins at 7:00 p.m. ET.
• Lighting Moment: The tree is officially illuminated just before 10:00 p.m. EST.
• Location: Rockefeller Plaza, located between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown Manhattan.
• Tree Species: Norway Spruce
• Number of Lights: Approximately 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.
• Tree Topper: The iconic Swarovski Star.

The ceremony itself is free and open to the public, though space is extremely limited and crowds begin gathering hours in advance. For those planning to attend in person, arriving early is non-negotiable, as the surrounding streets of Rockefeller Center, including parts of Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue, are often closed to traffic and heavily controlled by the NYPD for crowd management.

Meet the 2025 Tree: Origin, Size, and Specifications

Every year, the selection of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is a major event, and the 2025 tree is a magnificent specimen. The tree is always a Norway Spruce, chosen for its ability to hold its branches and withstand the harsh New York winter weather.

The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a towering 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce, measuring 45 feet wide and weighing approximately 11 tons. This colossal evergreen was generously donated by the Russ family and hails from East Greenbush, New York, a town located just outside Albany. The process of cutting the tree, transporting it, and raising it into place in Rockefeller Plaza is a complex logistical feat that takes place in early to mid-November, drawing crowds of onlookers.

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Once secured, the tree is meticulously wrapped with over 50,000 energy-efficient LED lights, strung across approximately five miles of wire. The final touch is the magnificent Swarovski Star, a masterpiece of engineering and design that sits atop the tree. The current star, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, features 70 spikes and is covered in three million crystals, adding a breathtaking sparkle to the New York City skyline.

The All-Star Lineup: Hosts and Performers for "Christmas in Rockefeller Center"

The tree lighting ceremony is as much about the entertainment as it is about the tree itself. The "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" broadcast is a major television event, traditionally featuring a host of celebrity musical guests, dancers, and appearances from the Radio City Rockettes.

For the 2025 ceremony, the event will be hosted by country music icon Reba McEntire. The star-studded performer lineup promises a festive atmosphere with performances by some of the biggest names in music across various genres.

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2025 Performer Lineup Highlights:

• Reba McEntire (Host)
• Marc Anthony
• Halle Bailey
• Michael Bublé
• Kristin Chenoweth
• Laufey
• New Edition
• Brad Paisley
• Carly Pearce
• Backstreet Boys
• Dan + Shay
• Megan Hilty
• Jennifer Hudson

These artists will perform holiday classics and new hits live from the plaza, creating a vibrant soundtrack for the momentous flip of the switch. The ceremony will also feature the traditional appearance of the Radio City Rockettes, adding a touch of classic New York glamour to the proceedings.

How to Watch and Stream the 2025 Tree Lighting Ceremony

Given the massive crowds and security measures, many people choose to watch the event from the comfort of their homes. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to tune into the live broadcast of the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.

The official broadcast, "Christmas in Rockefeller Center," will air live on the NBC television network. Coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the main event running until 10:00 p.m. EST.

For those who have cut the cord, streaming options are readily available:

• Live Stream: The event is typically available to stream live on NBC's digital platforms, including the NBC website and the NBC app.
• Peacock: As the primary streaming home for NBCUniversal content, the ceremony is expected to be available for live streaming to Peacock subscribers.
• Live TV Streaming Services: Services that carry the local NBC affiliate, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and FuboTV, will allow subscribers to watch the event live.

Check your local listings for the most accurate start times, especially if you are watching from outside the Eastern Time Zone. The live telecast ensures that audiences across the United States and the world can participate in this cherished holiday tradition.

A Symbol of Hope: The Enduring History of the Rockefeller Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is more than just a holiday decoration; it is a powerful symbol of New York City's resilience and holiday spirit. The tradition began informally in 1931 during the Great Depression. Construction workers at the site of Rockefeller Center pooled their money to buy a 20-foot Balsam Fir and decorated it themselves.

The first official tree lighting ceremony took place two years later, in 1933, and the tradition has continued unbroken ever since, even through wartime. The tree has grown in size and spectacle over the decades, becoming a global icon. The annual lighting ceremony has been broadcast live on NBC since 1997, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of American holiday programming.

After the holiday season concludes, the lights are taken down in early January. In recent years, the tree has been milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity, continuing its legacy of goodwill. This commitment to sustainability and charity adds another layer of meaning to the world-famous evergreen, ensuring that the spirit of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree extends far beyond the holiday season.