New York City’s iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 4, 2024, marking the start of the holiday season. The event will take place at 8 p.m. local time, following a coastal storm that brought heavy rainfall to the area. Fortunately, conditions are expected to improve, with clear skies anticipated for the evening.
Reba McEntire will host this year’s ceremony, which promises a festive atmosphere complete with live music and performances. Notable artists such as Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, and Carly Pearce are set to entertain the crowd. The tree lights will officially be illuminated just before 10 p.m.
Viewing and Accessibility Information
The Rockefeller Center tree will be on display daily from 5 a.m. to midnight until mid-January. On Christmas Eve, the lights will shine for a full 24 hours, while on New Year’s Eve, they will remain lit from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can find the tree at 30 Rockefeller Center, nestled between West 49th and West 50th streets in Manhattan. Those using public transportation can access the vicinity via the 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center stop on the B, D, F, and M train lines.
For those wishing to skate on the famed ice rink or enjoy the view from the observation decks, tickets are available. A VIP pass, priced at over $300, offers an exclusive tour of the tree and includes a champagne toast.
Details About This Year’s Tree
The Christmas tree this year is a Norway Spruce, which was cut down on November 6, 2024, in East Greenbush, New York, approximately 150 miles north of the city. The tree, weighing around 11 tons and standing at approximately 75 feet, is over 60 years old. It arrived at Rockefeller Center on November 8, 2024.
Over 50,000 energy-efficient LED lights will adorn the tree, culminating in a stunning display topped with a Swarovski crystal star. Following the holiday season, the tree will be removed in mid-January and repurposed into lumber for Habitat for Humanity, according to event organizers.
The tradition of the Rockefeller Center tree lighting dates back to 1931. It began with a group of workers who pooled their resources to purchase a Christmas tree, which they decorated with garlands made by their families. The first official tree lighting ceremony took place two years later. The largest tree ever displayed was a 100-foot tree from Killingworth, Connecticut, in December 1999.
Traffic and Road Closures
As this event coincides with the first Gridlock Alert Day of the month, several streets surrounding Rockefeller Center will be closed to facilitate the festivities. The closures will include:
– 46th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– 47th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– 48th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– 51st Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– 52nd Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
– Rockefeller Plaza between 48th Street and 51st Street
– 6th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street
– 5th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street
With the excitement surrounding the tree lighting, the event is expected to draw large crowds, making it a festive highlight in New York City’s holiday calendar.
