Before the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree can light up, it has to get into position. Its arrival is an event of its own: you can watch as crews raise the enormous tree into place.
What to expect
The tree usually arrives in New York in early November, several weeks before the lighting ceremony. There’s plenty to do in between: crews arrange the branches and shape the tree after its journey, then add the strings of lights and lift the Swarovski star onto the top. On arrival day, you’ll see it before it’s decorated.
The tree arrives on a long flatbed truck, is lifted by crane, and is carefully guided into position and secured by the crews on the plaza. You get to watch the process that turns a tree lying on a truck into the Christmas scene you’ve seen in so many photos.
The arrival is also accompanied by family activities around Rockefeller Center. Previous editions have included crafts and letters to Santa, with the program changing from year to year.
And with a little luck, you might leave with more than a photo: visitors sometimes get to take home a fallen twig or cone from the tree itself. It’s a souvenir with a real connection to this particular Christmas tree. Ask the team on site, and stay outside the cordoned-off work areas.
Good to know
- Dress warmly: you’ll be outside, and getting the tree into place takes time.
- The arrival and the family activities can have different start times. If you want to watch the tree being raised, follow the arrival schedule rather than just the workshop times.
- Once the tree stands tall, scaffolding is built around it so crews can decorate it.
