The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is the moment the tree lights up for the first time that season. If you want to be there in person, be prepared to spend quite a while waiting for it.
What to expect
The lighting takes place on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. By then, the tree has already been standing on Rockefeller Plaza for a few weeks. It usually arrives in early November, giving the team time to add the lights and place the Swarovski star on top.
The lighting evening includes music and performances that are also broadcast on TV. One thing worth knowing: this is a television production, too. Most of the performances are prerecorded rather than performed live that evening.
Standing in a public viewing area doesn’t give you a view of the stage, and you won’t necessarily see everything that viewers at home see. In person, the main moment is watching the tree’s lights come on.
How to watch in person
You can watch for free from the public viewing areas. Space is limited, and arriving when the show starts doesn’t mean you’ll get a good spot. Plan for a long afternoon and evening.
Another option is a paid event at a restaurant or another venue overlooking the tree. Check what’s actually included before booking: an event at Rockefeller Center doesn’t automatically come with a view of the lighting.
What does the evening look like?
For a sense of the timing, entry and security checks typically begin around 4 PM. The program starts at 7 PM, with the tree lighting around 10 PM. For many visitors, the wait began in the afternoon. You arrive, go through security and wait in a viewing area before the show, with the lighting at the end.
The viewing area is cleared fairly quickly after the lighting, so don’t count on staying there for a while afterward to take photos.
Viewing Area
Good to know
- The public viewing areas are free. A spot or an unobstructed view of the tree is not guaranteed.
- Dress warmly, especially your feet. You’ll be standing outside for a long time without moving much.
- Expect barriers and security checks around Rockefeller Center. Bring as little as possible and leave large bags and backpacks at your accommodation.
- The long wait and crowds can be tiring for young children.
- If you mainly want to see or photograph the illuminated tree with fewer people around, come early in the morning on a later day. It won’t be lit on the morning before the ceremony.
