When is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lit?
Each year the world's most famous tree is lit the week following Thanksgiving, and in 2009 the tree was lit on
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 and remained lit until January 7, 2010.
The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting festivities began around 6pm, and the actual lighting took place at 8:55pm sharp. Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Tishman Speyer CEO Jerry Speyer flipped the switch on the 75-foot Norway Spruce.
Start planning your 2010-2011
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 the first week of January 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!
|
|
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!
|
|
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Vacation
NYC hotel accommodations and tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes.
|
|
 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!
|
|
 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!
|
|
 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.
|
|
 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?
|
|
 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.
|
|
 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!
|