Every holiday season, one of New York City's most beloved traditions returns as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree illuminates the heart of Midtown Manhattan. On Wednesday, December 2, 2026, the world-famous Tree will light up with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights beneath its dazzling Swarovski star.
This year's 76-foot Norway spruce arrives from West Edmeston, New York, on November 7, kicking off weeks of holiday celebrations at Rockefeller Center. While the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is not open to the public, viewers can experience the tradition from home during NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast. Once the lights are on, visitors can admire the Tree in person and enjoy a variety of holiday experiences throughout the season.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, including how to watch and the best ways to experience the Tree in New York City.
When Is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in 2026?
The 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on Wednesday, December 2, from 7–10 PM ET. The annual celebration marks the official illumination of the Tree, continuing a tradition that has been part of New York City's holiday season since 1933.
While the lighting itself takes place on December 2, the Tree will remain on display through mid-January 2027, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to see it throughout the holidays. The Tree's arrival on November 7 also marks the return of Meet the Tree Day, a family-friendly celebration welcoming the iconic spruce to Rockefeller Plaza.
How to Watch the 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
NBC's annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special brings the Tree Lighting Ceremony to viewers across the country. Broadcast live from Rockefeller Center, the holiday special features musical performances, festive celebrations, and the highly anticipated moment when the Christmas Tree is illuminated for the first time.
The lineup changes each year, with hosts and performers bringing their own holiday traditions to the Plaza. NBC will announce additional details about the 2026 broadcast, including airtime, performers, and streaming availability, closer to the event. You can also follow Rockefeller Center on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments and highlights from the ceremony.
Do You Need Tickets for the Tree Lighting?
No. The Rockefeller Center tree lighting is free, and there are no public tickets for the ceremony. The area closest to the tree is reserved for invited guests and the broadcast, so spectators watch from the surrounding streets on a first-come, first-served basis. Expect security checkpoints, street closures, and a crowd that begins to build in the early afternoon.
If you want to be there, dress for several hours outside and arrive early. If you'd rather see the tree up close without the crowd, the better move is the one many New Yorkers make: watch the ceremony on NBC, then visit the Plaza on a weeknight later in December.
How to See the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree After the Lighting
The celebration doesn't end on December 2! Once illuminated, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will remain on display through mid-January 2027, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to experience one of New York City's most beloved holiday traditions. Whether you're looking for the perfect holiday photo, a memorable skating experience, or an up-close view of the Tree, there are several ways to celebrate the season at Rockefeller Center..
Get Up Close With a Holiday Top of the Rock Ticket
The best way to see the Christmas Tree is with a Holiday Top of the Rock ticket. Beginning December 3, Holiday Top of the Rock tickets include up-close access to the Tree, offering a special opportunity to capture holiday photos directly in front of its sparkling lights. After experiencing the Tree at ground level, head 70 floors up to Top of the Rock, where three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks offer breathtaking 360-degree views of New York City.
For an even more exclusive experience, the Holiday VIP Rock Pass includes a guided Rockefeller Center tour, a visit to a hidden rooftop garden, up-close Christmas Tree access, a Champagne toast, and VIP experiences at SKYLIFT and The Beam. It's a memorable way to experience Rockefeller Center's holiday traditions alongside some of the city's most spectacular views.
Explore Holiday Top of the Rock Tickets
See the Tree From Rockefeller Plaza
For a classic New York City holiday experience, visit Rockefeller Plaza to admire the illuminated Christmas Tree. One of the most iconic views is from the Channel Gardens along Fifth Avenue, where the promenade frames the Tree against 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Viewing the Tree from the Plaza is free, with visiting hours and updates available on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree page.
For a special holiday keepsake, The Official Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Photo offers a photo opportunity on The Rink steps with the Tree as the backdrop. It's a chance to capture a classic Rockefeller Center holiday moment with family and friends.
Skate Beneath the Tree at The Rink
Few holiday experiences are more quintessentially New York than ice skating beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Celebrating its 90th anniversary season, The Rink at Rockefeller Center continues a beloved winter tradition that began in 1936. With the illuminated Tree towering overhead, it's one of the most memorable ways to experience the holidays in the city.
For those who prefer to enjoy the view from rinkside, Holiday Chalets presented by Balsam Hill offer private retreats for up to six guests, overlooking The Rink and Christmas Tree, with seasonal food and beverages from 5 Acres available to order. New this year, the 90th Anniversary Lodges offer another private rinkside experience, with six uniquely themed lodges celebrating memorable moments from The Rink's nine decades at Rockefeller Center.
Celebrate the Tree's Arrival on November 7
The festivities begin well before the lights go on. On Saturday, November 7, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in New York City, and families are invited to welcome it during the second annual Meet the Tree Day. From 10 AM–1 PM, the Holiday Workshop presented by Care Bears and FAO Schwarz will bring a festive celebration of care, kindness, and community to Rockefeller Center.
Guests can meet six beloved Care Bears characters, write holiday letters, add wishes and acts of kindness to The Caring Tree, and create handmade keepsakes at the Care-A-Lot Craft Corner. Meet the Tree Day is free and open to the public, with admission available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For a special way to celebrate, the Meet the Tree + Top of the Rock ticket offers expedited, confirmed entry to the workshop, followed by a visit to Top of the Rock. The experience includes exclusive Care Bears photo moments, festive giveaways, holiday surprises, and spectacular views of New York City from 70 floors above the streets.
Learn More About Meet the Tree Day
About the 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a 76-foot Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York. Approximately 75 years old, the Tree measures 50 feet in diameter and weighs about 11 tons. It was selected by Rockefeller Center's head gardener, Erik Pauzé, who has spent more than three decades searching for the perfect trees to grace the Plaza during the holidays.
The Tree will be decorated with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights strung along approximately five miles of wire. At its peak sits the Swarovski star, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in 2018. Weighing approximately 900 pounds, the star features 70 spikes adorned with three million Swarovski crystals.
The tradition dates back to 1931, when construction workers building Rockefeller Center erected a small tree decorated with handmade garlands. The first official Tree Lighting Ceremony followed in 1933, beginning a holiday tradition that has endured for generations. After each season, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity, giving the Tree a new purpose long after its lights have gone out.
FAQs
What time does the Rockefeller Center tree lighting start?
The tree is lit near the end of NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast. NBC announces the airtime for the December 2, 2026, ceremony as the date approaches.
Is the Rockefeller Center tree lighting free?
Yes. The tree lighting ceremony is free to attend, with no public tickets. Viewing is first-come, first-served from the streets around the Plaza, so arrive early.
Can I watch the tree lighting online?
NBC shares streaming details for the 2026 broadcast closer to the date. Check NBC's schedule the week of December 2.
How long does the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stay up?
The tree typically stays up from its lighting in early December until mid-January.
What happens to the tree after the holidays?
The tree is milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity, which uses the wood to help build homes.
Once the lights go on on December 2, the city settles into the season, and the tree stays lit into the new year for anyone who wants to see it up close.
