The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Christmas is one of the best times to visit New York City. Everything here becomes magical and the feeling is that you are living in a fairy tale. Already at the end of November you begin to feel and see how each of its corners is filled with Christmas trees, shop windows that are dressed in winter postcards, skaters slide down the ice rinks, spectacular lights, Christmas carols, avenues and shops. decorated in Christmas colors… Without a doubt, it is time to visit New York. Andy Williams already sang it in his renowned song: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Although there are countless activities to do on these dates, one of the most recommended is to visit the famous Christmas tree located in the Rockefeller Center in New York and that is specially prepared for these dates.

Since 1933 Rockefeller Center has placed its tree uninterruptedly, although in December 1931 the workers who were building Rockefeller Center pooled their money to buy their Christmas tree, which they decorated with garlands handmade by their families.

Starting in 1997, the tree lighting ceremony known as Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting takes place, which is broadcast live on TV to millions of people and takes place after a two-hour event in which several stars of music, soaked in the Christmas spirit, dance and sing Christmas carols before the public gathered in Rockefeller Plaza.

Historically, a fir tree is always selected that is in the last years of its life cycle, it must measure at least 22 meters high and 13 in diameter and a new one is planted in its place. The fir tree is usually sourced from New York, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania and installation begins in early/mid November so that it is fully ready for the big ceremony. They even give the option that anyone can donate a fir tree of these characteristics that they own.

This year, the 90-year-old Norway spruce was felled and hoisted onto the bed of a truck in which it traveled some 200 miles from the town of Queensbury, in New York state. It is 25 meters high and about 14 tons in weight

The icon of New York Christmas will be the lighting of the tree, which will take place on November 30 and will be decorated with 50,000 multicolored LED lights and a Swarovski star that has been used since 2018, weighing 900 pounds (408.23 kg) and 70 points covered with 3 million crystals.

Once the holidays are over, the tree is removed and transported to a sawmill in New Jersey that reshapes all of its parts into 2x4s and 2x6s. Once the entire process is finished, these beams are stamped and donated to Habitat of Humanity where they use them to build homes for those most in need.

Some recommendations when planning the visit:

It is important to know that going to Rockefeller Center at Christmas is in itself a spectacle and witnessing the lighting of its tree has become one more tradition in New York on these dates. The surroundings are full of people so it is suggested (if you want to witness the lighting) come to the place a few hours before to get a good spot. The surrounding streets are closed to traffic at 3:00 p.m.

It is important to know that if you want to witness this event live, only those who have VIP passes can have access to the main view. Without these passes it is only possible to access the side streets and watch it on giant TV screens completely free of charge. As a suggestion, it is ideal to attend at least at 5:00 p.m.

One of the best views of the place is achieved by going up to the terrace of the skyscraper General Electric Building, 259 meters high and 70 floors. It is considered one of the most elegant buildings in New York. This terrace has a peculiar name: “Top of the Rock”.

In addition, a tip for taking photos of the tree is to do it from 5th Avenue, from where you can see the entire path of angels and the entire tree appears in the photograph.

Also something important is that you should dress warmly, since winter in the city is cold and you can have a very bad time if you do not wear the right clothes.

The show ends with the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree around 10 p.m. and it will remain lit from dusk to midnight and until the beginning of January. As it is the most important day of the festivities, December 25 will be on all day.

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