When is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lit?
Each year the world's most famous tree is lit the week following Thanksgiving, and this year the tree will be lit on
Wednesday, December 2, 2009.
The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting festivities begin around 6pm, and the actual lighting takes place at 8:55pm sharp.
The tree will remain lit until early
January 2010, so come anytime during your
holiday visit in New York City to
see the beauty of this magnificent tree. With 30,000 multicolored lights
strung on more than five miles of electrical wire, and topped with a Swarovski crystal star, this is a spectacle not to be missed!
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Hours and Information:
The tree is lit daily through early January 2010 from 5:30am to 11:30pm; all day on Christmas; and from 5:30am to 9pm on New Year's Eve. The tree may be viewed 24 hours a day,
but is the most glorious when lit.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is located within the Rockefeller Center Plaza at 50th Street and 5th Avenue.
Closest Subways to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree:
B/D/F/V to 47-50 Streets/Rockefeller Center, the 1 to 50th Street and Broadway, or the 6 to 51st and Lexington Avenue.
History of the Rockefeller Center Tree:
1931 - Workmen on a muddy construction site put up a
Christmas tree.
1933 - First formal Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
Ceremony. The tree was decked with 700 lights in front of the
eight-month-old RCA Building.
1936 - Two trees, each 70 feet tall, were
erected. For the first time the Lighting Ceremony included a skating
pageant on the newly opened Rockefeller Plaza Outdoor Ice Skating Pond.
1942 - Three trees were placed on Rockefeller Plaza, one decorated
in red, one in white and the other in blue to show support for our
troops serving during World War II.
1949 - The tree was painted silver,
to look like snow.
1951 - The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was
lighted for the first time on national television of the Kate Smith
Show.
1966 - The first tree from outside the United States was erected.
It was given by Canada, in honor of the Centennial of its Confederation.
This is the farthest distance a tree has traveled to Rockefeller
Center.
1980 - A 70 foot-tall Norway Spruce came from the grounds of
the Immaculate Conception Seminary of Mahwah, N.J. Bob Hope participated
in the Lighting.
1999 - The largest tree in Rockefeller Center history,
100 feet high, was chosen from Killingworth, CT.
2004 - The Swarovski-designed star is created. It is the largest star to ever grace the tree, measures 9 1/2 feet in diameter and 1 1/2 feet deep, and is adorned with 25,000 crystals and one million facets.
Choose from these amazing New York City holiday vacation packages and tours:
 Thanksgiving and Macy's Parade Vacation
Enjoy an unforgettable Thanksgiving in 2009 with a 4-night or longer NYC holiday vacation.
You can even book an exclusive NYCVP Insider's View party breakfast or Stay Warm function during the Macy's Parade!
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Pre-Holiday Shopping Weekends
Shopping Weekend vacations at spectacular hotels, just steps from the best shopping in the world!
When the stores close - we'll arrange a sightseeing tour, or a Broadway
show, or even the Radio City Christmas Spectacular!
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Radio City Christmas Spectacular Vacation
NYC hotel accommodations and tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes.
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 Christmas in NYC
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree ... fabulous store window displays ... Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular...Christmas in New York City at Special Prices!
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 New Year's Eve in Times Square
Ring in the New Year in
New York City at the wildest party of the year! Be part of the dazzling
lights and bustling energy of Times Square. We even have a special New
Year's Eve party for you!
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 Christmas Holiday Walking Tour
A
Christmas Walking Tour of Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue will light
up your holiday season! On this 75-minute tour, hosted by a team of
Christmas historians and architects, learn about Christmas history,
decorations, Gotham legends, and the role New York has played in
shaping today's Christmas culture.
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 Breakfast with Santa Claus
Join
the Jolly Old Elf himself for breakfast in Times Square at Applebee's
Neighborhood Grill! Whether you are 2 or 62 there is nothing more
memorable than the time you sat on Santa’s lap and asked for that
special gift. New York City Vacation Packages is offering an exclusive
limited seating breakfast with Santa on select dates. Why fight the
crowds and large lines for a moment with Santa when you can share in
this intimate gathering?
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 Holiday Lights Motorcoach Sightseeing Tour
"It's
a Christmas spectacle you don't want to miss!" The color, the pageantry
and the lights of Christmas in New York City ... you'll see it all on
this deluxe motorcoach tour hosted by a licensed tour guide that will
surely be the highlight of your Christmas vacation in the Big Apple.
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 Holiday Tours and Holiday Dining
Lots of holiday events to make your New York
City vacation one to remember! Motorcoach Tours of holiday window
displays, Walking Tours of 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center, Breakfast
With Santa ... we'll make your holiday a memorable one for the whole
family!
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