The 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Will Take Place in December

Visiting Manhattan during the holiday season means having the opportunity to witness one of New York City's most magical events — the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. The tradition of a Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was established during the Great Depression, even before the complex was constructed. Workers on the site — largely Italian immigrants — scraped together the funds for a tree, and a couple of years later, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree became an official annual fixture. Since the first lighting ceremony in 1933, the spectacle has drawn locals and visitors together to celebrate the merriest time of the year.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting.

When is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lit?

The 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a 74-foot Norway spruce from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. At approximately 11 tons, the impressive tree is about 70 years old and the first tree sourced from Massachusetts since 1959. After it arrives in Manhattan on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, it will be decorated with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights and a dazzling Swarovski star topper that weighs about 900 pounds and includes 70 spikes covered in 3 million crystals.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at Rockefeller Center, and the televised special, Christmas in Rockefeller Center, will be broadcast live on NBC. The event is open to the public and attracts crowds, so aim to arrive by 3 p.m. and no later than 4 p.m. to secure a viewing spot.

How long does the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stay lit?

If you can't attend the lighting ceremony, fear not. The tree will remain lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight through the holidays until mid-January 2025. The only notable exceptions are on Christmas Eve when the tree is illuminated for 24 hours, and on New Year’s Eve when the tree is lit from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Once the holidays are over, the tree will be milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity to help provide housing for families in need. Since 2007, this yearly tradition ensures the tree itself is more than just a grandiose sight to behold; it's also a symbol of hope in the true spirit of Christmas.

What do I need to know before visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree?

Basking in the glow of the iconic Christmas tree is free for everyone and the perfect way to bring loved ones together this holiday season. If you plan to visit, prepare for temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Bundle up and make an afternoon adventure of it at The Rink at Rockefeller Center as you ice skate beneath the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree. During the holiday season, the rink is open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight (except on the day before and the day of the lighting ceremony).

It's wise to buy tickets in advance since space on the ice is limited. Pricing is dynamic, so make sure to compare different dates and times. For example, General Skate admission can cost between $21 and $114. If you don't have your own skates, skate rentals will run you an additional $12. For a more intimate experience, consider reserving one of the private Holiday Chalets, where you can warm up with a view of the iconic Christmas tree.