All year long, Rockefeller Center stands as a recognizable part of the New York City skyline and a storied part of American history. But as the holidays descend on Midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center transforms into the city’s favorite winter wonderland. And its beacon is a perfectly pristine piece of nature.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is different every year, with each one seemingly more glorious than the last. (The very first Christmas Tree was a humble 20-foot Balsam Fir.) The Norway Spruce has become Rockefeller Center’s tree species of choice over time, with this year’s standing at 75 feet.

The tree, estimated to be about 75 years old, will be cut on November 6, 2025, and make the journey to Rockefeller Center. Once it arrives on November 8, crews will carefully raise it into place on Center Plaza, marking the start of one of New York’s most famous holiday traditions. The tree will be topped with a Swarovski star weighing 900 pounds and spanning over nine feet in diameter, with 70 spikes covered in more than 3 million crystals. Learn more about the 2025 Christmas Rockefeller Center Tree here, and be among the first to hear about the Christmas Tree developments all season by signing up for The Center Newsletter.

Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a holiday tradition like no other. From Center Plaza to your living room, here’s how to experience the magic.

When is the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center?

Rockefeller Center’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 3, 2025. At 10pm EST, the Tree’s 50,000 multi-colored lights and Swarovski star topper will be set aglow for the first time in the season, officially ushering in the holidays and festive cheer.

Where to Watch the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

For those of us who can’t witness the magic in person, here are all the ways you can catch the night’s festivities at home.

NBC

NBC Studios is headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, so it’s only natural that NBC is Rockefeller Center’s home network. At 8pm on December 3, Reba McEntire will host the live national broadcast of Christmas in Rockefeller Center, taking over from Kelly Clarkson, who hosted the past two years. Viewers can tune into NBC 4, and the night will also be simulcasted on Peacock.

Instagram

If you aren’t already, follow Rockefeller Center on Instagram. The Rockefeller Center social media team will share live footage of the night on its Stories and have the exclusive first-hand Reel of the Tree’s inaugural light-up moment immediately after.

Check the official Rockefeller Center website for more information.

After the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit daily from 5am to midnight on Center Plaza. For a livestream of the Tree and updates on events and programming, visit Rockefeller Center’s Holidays page.