The lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is one of the most cherished traditions in New York — and a spectacle that reaches viewers around the world.
Here are five festive facts about this iconic holiday event.
1. The tradition began during the Great Depression
In 1931, construction workers at Rockefeller Center pooled their money to buy a 20-foot balsam fir.
They decorated it with handmade garlands made of paper, cranberries and even tin cans. That tree wasn’t officially lit, but it sparked what would become a national tradition.
The first official lighting took place in 1933 with a 50-foot tree and just 700 lights.
2. The tree is handpicked and donated
Each year’s tree is typically a Norway spruce between 69 and 100 feet tall.
It’s traditionally donated by a private owner and chosen for its shape, strength and ability to support tens of thousands of ornaments and lights.
Erik Pauzé, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, leads the search — often scouting backyards across the Northeast and reviewing online submissions.
3. It’s delivered with care — and sometimes surprises
Once selected, the tree is carefully cut and transported on a custom trailer. It’s often adorned with bows or holiday banners on the way to Manhattan.
While it’s usually delivered by truck, it once arrived via the world’s second-largest plane in 1998.
In 2020, a tiny Northern saw-whet owl — nicknamed Rocky — was discovered inside the tree, having hitched a 170-mile ride from Oneonta, New York.
4. The lighting ceremony is a nationally televised event
The tree is lit during a live broadcast on NBC, typically on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
Since 1997, millions have tuned in to watch the celebration, which features celebrity performances and appearances by the mayor of New York City, NBC personalities and special guests.
The lighting itself is now followed by a performance of “Joy to the World” by a choir.
5. The lights are energy-efficient — and the tree gives back
The Rockefeller Center tree shines with about 50,000 multicolored LED lights and is topped with a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.
Since 2007, the tree has used less energy than previous years.
After the season, the wood is milled and donated to Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes for families in need.
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