Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
4.5
About
There's nothing more quintessentially New York in the wintertime than a visit to Rockefeller Centre. The Centre's Christmas Tree is a cultural landmark, and the tree lighting is a most anticipated event for locals and visitors alike. The tree itself, always a US-born Norway Spruce, stands up to one-hundred feet tall, and festooned with lights, ornaments, and a giant star, it overlooks the outdoors Rockefeller ice rink: open only in winter, and very popular with the public. With rink hours going late into the night, skaters often enjoy a stroll or a quick outdoor cocoa or indoor bite to eat at one of the lively shops nearby, with a view of the tree. The official tree lighting takes place at the start of December, with over five miles of fairy lights employed to make it glow through January. Celebrity guests stop by to hold a free concert in conjunction with the lighting, and folks arrive early to reserve their spot. In the week leading up to the lighting, curious visitors can see the surrounding garden being decorated for the lighting, and workers beginning to hang lights on the tree.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Midtown
This is the iconic New York that so many visitors imagine before they visit—spectacular skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building, iconic public buildings like Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library, and the non-stop hustle and bustle of the city streets. Fifth Avenue is a shopper's heaven where you can find every kind of store imaginable, with fashion brands ranging from the affordable to the ultra-fancy. Visit the Rockefeller Center to experience towering Art Deco grandeur, and foodies will love the busy restaurants that stay open late in Koreatown. After dark, Midtown calms down a bit, but at any time of day or night it still feels 100% New York.
How to get there
- 47–50 Sts – Rockefeller Center • 3 min walk
- 5th Ave / 53rd St • 5 min walk
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4.5
434 reviews
Excellent
279
Very good
112
Average
28
Poor
8
Terrible
7
Theresa
Pueblo, CO87 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
A true American classic. Rockefeller Plaza was stunning with the ice skating rink and the tree (undecorated as of 11/25). It was worth seeing, but the crowds were intense both during daytime as well as after dark. Ice skating was insane at $51/pp. not worth the price.
Written 26 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bbbob84
Staten Island, NY1,619 contributions
Dec 2022
A tree has been placed in Rockefeller Center for over 90 years. The selection process in recent years has resulted in some amazing and yet disappointing selections depending upon who you ask. However, it is always adorned with thousands upon thousands of lights. It stands majestically above the skating rink. It is best viewed from 49th of 50th streets from the side or the iconic long view from 5th Avenue through the angels on the center plaza approach. In recent years regardless of what time you visit the number of visitors has grown exponentially. Throngs of people all wanting to see the tree. This can be challenging. Add in the food vendors, street merchandise vendors and other holiday attractions that block the sidewalks and you can have a very long and frustrating experience. All I am saying is be prepared. This comes from a local New Yorker who has been visiting the tree for over 50 years. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daisyferret1
Bear, DE27,286 contributions
Dec 2021
We include the tree at Rockefeller Center every year when we visit NYC for the holidays. This year was even better than previous years. This year they had the area around the tree barricaded off so that you could not get as close to the tree. Also they had walkways that were one-way traffic. This made navigating around the tree so much simpler this year. It did not feel as congested and it felt easier to get a picture of the family with the tree in the background. We were super excited to get to see the tree as it was donated by a neighboring town just mere miles from our hometown. You can also ice skate at the base of the tree for fee while there if interested . They have some pretty angel decorations lining the path leading to the tree as well.
Overall, we had a great experience viewing the Rockefeller Center tree this year. I would recommend. Just know that this area can be congested with foot traffic.
Overall, we had a great experience viewing the Rockefeller Center tree this year. I would recommend. Just know that this area can be congested with foot traffic.
Written 17 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China20,996 contributions
Dec 2022
Christmas is best experienced at Rockefeller Center with an encompassing Christmas tree. It has become a local tradition to visit the lighted tree in the Big Apple's beloved city center. Expect a huge crowd at anytime.
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Conny Wylie
Ottawa, Canada993 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is considered a NYC holiday jewel and is admired by locals & tourists alike. I was mesmerized over the brilliant architecture with 50,000 multi-colored LED lights topped off with a Swarovski Star. I stopped by before ice-skating on the Rock rink, but the hypnotic affect of the tree lingered long after my startling experience.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brooke In The Air
Cleveland, OH215 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
We visited at the end of the 2022 holiday, and it was magical. The tree lighting in Rockefeller Center is something everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. It's so beautiful, and the tree is imported in usually late November before it is set up in mid-December.
Written 9 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard A
Jakarta, Indonesia2,548 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
If you are in NYC around Christmas this place is worth a visit. There are so many people around, many just walk around but a lot are playing ice skating.
The Christmas tree itself is very big and quite well lit up.
There are also some statues and other interesting things to see around the place.
The Christmas tree itself is very big and quite well lit up.
There are also some statues and other interesting things to see around the place.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon M
Bishopton, UK1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
I want to warn anyone wishing to go and see the Rockefeller Tree. My friend and
I wanted to go and see it. What we found was chaos. People were crammed into the area in front of the tree, people were coming from 4 different directions all converging in the one place. We literally couldn’t move and had to go with the flow! Couldn’t get my camera out to take pics and I had some of my sisters ashes with me that I wanted to sprinkle near the tree but didn’t even have space to get the ashes out of my pocket. If there had been any kind of “incident” thousands of people would have died due to panic or being trampled. This was seriously dangerous and there was no one guiding the crowds. I’ve never been so glad to get away from the area.
If you want to go, I would suggest going at 5am when the lights get switched on for the day and leave the nights for other more brave souls.
I wanted to go and see it. What we found was chaos. People were crammed into the area in front of the tree, people were coming from 4 different directions all converging in the one place. We literally couldn’t move and had to go with the flow! Couldn’t get my camera out to take pics and I had some of my sisters ashes with me that I wanted to sprinkle near the tree but didn’t even have space to get the ashes out of my pocket. If there had been any kind of “incident” thousands of people would have died due to panic or being trampled. This was seriously dangerous and there was no one guiding the crowds. I’ve never been so glad to get away from the area.
If you want to go, I would suggest going at 5am when the lights get switched on for the day and leave the nights for other more brave souls.
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelli
Keller, TX1,356 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This tree is a Christmas NYC staple, so I had to see it once. It’s pretty - don’t get me wrong. But it’s just a big tree. And I don’t ice skate, so there’s not much to do other than take a few pics and move on. The area can be really crowded too, which can make it feel like more of a chore than a must-do.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amanda g
Durham, CT375 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We visited the week after Xmas at around 6pm so we could see the tree lit up along with the saks light show. It was insanely crowded. We knew it would be busy but this was the most crowded we’ve ever seen. Even with the crowd we were able to get right up front fairly quickly and easily 2 view the tree and then the light show. It’s a must in you are in NYC.
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WHen are the lights of the tree shut off permanently and when is the last day you can see the tree before they take it down in January 2021?
Written 3 January 2021
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be on display until January 2nd, 2020. Today is the 3rd of January, so they may have brought it down already.
Written 3 January 2021
Is there a long wait to view the tree due to Covid in 2020?
Written 19 December 2020
Yes but you don’t need to be on too
If it. You can be on 5th Avenue and take a photo of it in the background. You will not be in the crowded areas and can watch the saks light show.
Written 19 December 2020
Hi,
We are planning to come to New York November 2022.
Does anyone know what day the tree will be lit from please?
Thanks
Written 11 November 2020
How long in January is the tree up till because my other half and I are coming over in 2022, many thanks
Written 15 April 2020
It was almost 2 weeks it was the 11th Jan this year when we were there
Written 7 August 2020
Bonjour, je voudrais savoir à partir de quelle date peut-on voir les décorations de Noël à New-York et à partir de quelle date le sapin est illuminé? Merci
Written 7 February 2020
Bonjour,
Sauf erreur de ma part….
Les décorations de New-York sont mises en places pour Thanksgiving, dernier jeudi de novembre et l'allumage du sapin au Rockefeller center débute le premier mercredi de décembre.
Mais pour plus de sécurité, consultez internet.
Written 7 February 2020
Hello. Do you have to book and pay to visit the tree only?
Written 19 December 2019
Hi... no, you can go there for free.. i think the lights turn off at 12pm. Don't need to pay or book! Best christmas tree in the world
Written 20 December 2019
Do you need to book to go ice skating? Thank you
Written 4 December 2019
Thanks for the question! I don’t think you can buy advanced tickets. Everyone has to wait in line. It took my wife and I almost two hours. But it was so worth it. I highly recommend it!
Written 5 December 2019
Bonjour, pouvez vous me dire jusqu a quelle date le sapin de Noel du Rockfeller sera visible en janvier 2020 ? Merci
Written 29 October 2019
does anyone know if you can just turn up when the ceremony is finished to see the tree alight?
Written 15 October 2019
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