All You Need to Know About the 2025 Rockefeller Tree

The Iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Every year, the holiday season begins with a spectacular event in New York City—the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. This beloved tradition draws thousands of visitors and viewers from around the country, who gather to witness the dazzling display of lights and performances that celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a towering 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, New York. Estimated to be around 75 years old, this majestic evergreen was donated by the Russ family, who were thrilled to see their longtime backyard tree become “the world’s Christmas tree.” On Thursday, Nov. 6, crews carefully cut down the 11-ton tree before transporting it on a flatbed truck for its roughly 130-mile journey to New York City.

Once it arrives, the spruce will be raised in Rockefeller Center on Saturday, Nov. 8, for decoration. The tree will be adorned with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights. Unlike previous years, this tree won’t have any traditional ornaments. Instead, a breathtaking 9-foot Swarovski star, designed in 2018 by architect Daniel Libeskind, will shine brilliantly from above. The star weighs 900 pounds and is encrusted with 3 million crystals, making it a true holiday masterpiece.

How the Tree is Chosen

Every year, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, Erik Pauze, searches far and wide for the perfect Christmas tree. With over 30 years of experience, he scours backyards and fields across New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and beyond, always looking for that one tree with the “wow” factor.

“What I look for is a tree you’d want in your living room, but on a grander scale,” Pauze says on the Rockefeller Center’s website. “It needs to make people smile the second they see it.”

The Russ family’s tree caught his eye after a photo was shared by a security supervisor. One look was all it took. He even returned several times throughout the year to check on and care for the tree himself—a personal touch that has become part of his tradition.

When is the Lighting Ceremony?

The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. EST. Once the dazzling lights are switched on, the tree will shine bright every day from 5 a.m. to midnight, giving New Yorkers and visitors alike plenty of time to soak in the holiday magic. On Christmas Eve, the iconic spruce glows all day and night.

As New Year’s Eve approaches, the lights will dim a little earlier at 9 p.m. EST, as the city turns its attention to the Times Square festivities. The tree remains on display until mid-January 2025, after which it will be taken down and repurposed.

How to Watch the Ceremony

If you want to watch the tree-lighting ceremony from the comfort of your home, you can tune in to NBC’s live TV broadcast, Christmas in Rockefeller Center. It’s available on Peacock and NBC 4 New York.

What Happens After Christmas?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will remain on display until mid-January 2025. Though the exact date for its removal hasn’t been announced, it will be put to good use. Rockefeller Center continues its longstanding tradition of donating the tree to Habitat for Humanity so it can be milled, treated, and made into lumber for homes.

Fun Facts About the Rockefeller Center Tree

While the tree may be the most famous in America, its history is full of surprises:

The inaugural Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting in 1933 dazzled with 700 sparkling lights.
NBC first broadcast the tree lighting in 1951 on The Kate Smith Show, and in the mid-1950s, it appeared on The Howdy Doody Show.
The 50th anniversary of the tree lighting in the ’80s featured a special appearance by Bob Hope.
In 1966, Canada gifted the tree to the United States as part of the country’s centennial celebration.
To create a snowy, wintry look, the tree was painted silver in 1949.
The tree first shone with a Swarovski star topper in 2004, marking a new (and sparkly) tradition.
If you laid out all the wires from the tree lights end to end, they would stretch an impressive 5 miles.
In 2021, Maryland had the honor of providing the tree for the very first time.
For over 30 years, Erik Pauze, affectionately known as the “Santa Claus of Christmas trees,” has handpicked the iconic tree.
In 1942, three trees were displayed, each adorned in red, white, and blue to boost patriotic spirit during World War II.
Approximately 125 million people visit the tree each year, with around 500,000 to 750,000 estimated visits per day.
While some families receive small compensation for donating their tree, most aren’t paid; they usually receive free landscaping after the tree is removed.