Everything You Need To Know About The History Of The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Millions of people flock to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City every single year.
Over 50,000 lights and a stunning Swarovski star decorate this Big Apple icon, illuminating Manhattan for the holiday season.
But did you know that this world-renowned tradition was actually started back in 1931 by Rockefeller Center employees?
That December, the workers decided to pool their money and purchase a 20-foot high balsam fir. They adorned the Christmas tree using handmade garlands crafted by their families and ultimately gave way to one of New York’s largest tourist attractions.
In 1933, Rockefeller Center turned the Christmas tree into an annual tradition and held the first-ever tree lighting ceremony.
Not long afterward, the famous ice skating rink on the Plaza was opened in 1936, and during the 1950s, the tree lighting ceremony was broadcast on television for the first time.
Since then, kids and adults alike have both visited Manhattan and tuned in from the comfort of their homes to watch the ceremony, which takes place on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year.
The massive trees are typically Norwegian spruces that are at least 75 feet tall and selected from the states of New York, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut. They are transported to the Big Apple, and installation occurs during mid-to-late November.
Workers only began using scaffolding to decorate the Rockefeller Center tree during the 1950s. Prior to then, it took over 20 men a total of 10 days of work to set up the holiday landmark.
kirkikis – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only – pictured above is a view of Rockefeller Center and the iconic Christmas tree
Today, the decoration process has been streamlined, and the tree is topped by a star made of Swarovski crystals, a tradition that began in 2004.
This year, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is from Massachusetts, making it the first tree to come from the state since 1959. It’s a Norway spruce specifically from West Stockbridge and was cut on Thursday, November 7.
It arrived at Center Plaza on November 9, and the tree-lighting ceremony is set to take place on Wednesday, December 4, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. The holiday special will be filled with festive musical performances and celebrity appearances, too.
The tree will be lit from 5:00 a.m. to midnight daily, and on Christmas Eve, it will remain illuminated for a whole 24 hours.
And if you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of it in person, it’s set to stay in Rockefeller Center until mid-January.
Then, following the holidays, the Habitat for Humanity Foundation will receive the tree to carry out social work, a collaboration that began in 2007.
The decorations are taken down, and the tree is donated for charitable purposes, including using the wood to build or rebuild homes.
Finally, for those who want to see the tree-lighting ceremony live, you are advised to arrive early! And even if you aren’t at the front of the crowd, don’t worry, as the large tree (and big screens around Rockefeller Square) will be hard to miss.
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