The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is easily the highest profile, most robustly attended Christmas tree lighting ceremony in New York City.
Every year, we wait in anticipation for the giant, usually 100-foot-tall tree to be illuminated. Every year we experience a surge of Christmas cheer when we pass it on the street. Every year, when it's taken down, we're just counting down the days until it's lit back up again.
Well, New York City, the Rockefeller Center's Tree Lighting Ceremony is happening on the evening of December 2nd, which means it'll be here before you can say "Noel."
It'll run on the evening of Wednesday, December 2nd from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Rockefeller Plaza.
There will be live music performances. There will be crowds. Mostly, there will be thousands and thousands of Christmas lights.
We want you to have the best experience possible at the Rockefeller Center's world-famous tree this year. That's why we've compiled a list of tips and facts about the tree, the tree lighting ceremony, and the pounds and pounds of good will that go into it all (including a 550-pound star).
Now read on to learn everything you need to know about the 2015 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting.
1. Get there early
rockcenternyc Have you seen the latest in the Channel Gardens? A Rockefeller Christmas now on display, featuring the iconic #RockCenter angels. Swing by—and be sure to tag your photos #RockCenterXMAS!
Thousands crowd the sidewalk between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues every year, while hundreds of millions more watch the event on TV.
This year’s ceremony will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., but since we expect a mob, we’d suggest getting there much earlier if you want to, you know, actually be able to see all the amazing performances.
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Like, really, last year the Rockefeller Center's Christmas Tree attracted anywhere between 350,000 to 750,000 in a single day.
So, if that says anything to you about how many people will mob the plaza for the lighting ceremony, we think getting there an hour early is the least you could do to make sure you can see.
2. Wear comfortable shoes
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You're going to be standing for two hours. You've inevitably going to be jostled by crowds, and you're probably going to have to put in a lot of effort to get to a spot where you can see.
All this would be terribly exacerbated by uncomfortable shoes. If you start forming blisters on your feet, there's no way you'll be able to stand long enough to see the tree actually ignited.
So, wear shoes you can bear to stand in for two hours. That way, when the tree is lit and your breath is taken, it won't be at the expense of your feet.
3. If you can't make the ceremony, go on a weekday
If you can't make the lighting ceremony, don't panic. Really. The tree is just as marvelous to behold on a weekday that isn't the lighting ceremony and it'll be far, far less crowded.
If you can swing it, you should go right at dusk on a weekday. Could anything be more stunning, dazzle more heartily than the hundred-foot-tall Rockefeller Christmas Tree at sunset?
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We doubt it.
As you may have been able to predict, the more freezing the weather, the fewer the visitors. So if you bundle up and brave the cold, you'll probably find your view much clearer than if you went on a day the weather was placid.
4. Don't just look at the tree
francois_nyc One of number of toy soldiers surrounding the ice rink at Rockefeller Center #toysoldier #rockefellercenterchristmastree #christmas #rockefellercenter #angel #ironangel#christmastree #holiday2015 #christmas2015 #nyc #nycprimeshot #instagramnyc #supremenyc #icapture_nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #newyork_instagram #travel#traveling #christmasdecorations #happiness #blessings #blessed #mytravelgram #mytraveling
The plaza around the tree is just as vibrant, just as glimpse-and-picture-worthy as the tree itself.
There are ready to fight toy soldiers, silky, illuminated angels, and ice skaters pirouetting on Rockefeller's rink.
We wouldn't suggest you skate on Rockefeller's rink yourself - doing so will wind up running you around $50. You'd be much better off crossing town and skating at the free admission ice rink in Bryant Park's Winter Village.
Still, the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center are nice to watch, aren't they?
,5. Consider the history
Via Rockefeller Center
The first-ever Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center took place in 1931, during the Great Depression.
When the Tree was first ignited, it served as a reminder for what was happening in the world around NYC. Before the first formal tree went up, workers used to stand beneath a Christmas tree on Rockefeller Plaza construction site and count their paychecks in the height of the Great Depression.
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In 2001, people came from around the world to see the Tree decorated in patriotic red, white, and blue to honor all those whose lives were lost in the September 11th attacks.
Today, more than half a million people pass the Tree every single day, and we're willing to bet most of them are enchanted.
6. Let yourself be amazed
rockcenternyc Spot the Tree on its way to #RockCenter? Spread the excitement! Tag your photos with #RockCenterXMAS.
It makes sense you'd be astounded in the presence of the giant spruce tree. You might experience thoughts like do trees even grow that big? Or how'd they get that tree here?
It makes sense that you'd be astounded, delighted, and in awe when facing the Tree. It took a lot to bring it to its current state of beauty.
Every year, it's decorated with 45,000 LED lights and topped by a 550-pound star that was designed by artist Michael Hammers in 2004.
We're aware that's a super heavy star. So if the star is that heavy, we can hardly imagine how heavy the Tree must be.
7. Know about Habitat for Humanity
francois_medina Christmas is Coming @ Rockefeller Center #rockefellercenterchristmastree #christmas #rockefellercenter #angel #ironangel#christmastree #holiday2015 #christmas2015 #nyc #nycprimeshot #instagramnyc #supremenyc #icapture_nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #newyork_instagram #travel#traveling #christmasdecorations #happiness #blessings #blessed #mytravelgram #mytraveling
Truly, this is a gift that keeps on giving. After all is said and done, the Tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity for the ninth consecutive year.
At the end of the season, once all the holiday splendor has dissipated, the tree will be brought down, milled, treated, and made into lumber that's then used for home building.
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This is only part of the reason that the bright, giant tree continues to shine out as a symbol of hope and inspiration for the people of NYC.
Check out The Definitive Guide to Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in NYC.