Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, an 82ft Norway Spruce decorated with 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star
The 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, an 82 ft Norway Spruce decorated with 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a large Christmas tree placed annually at Rockefeller Center, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States. The tree is put in place in mid November and lit in a public ceremony on the Wednesday evening following Thanksgiving. Since 1997, the lighting has been broadcast live, to hundreds of millions, on NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center telecast. The tree lighting ceremony is aired at the end of every broadcast, following live entertainment and the tree is lit by the current Mayor of New York City, the CEO and president of Tishman Speyer and special guests.[1] An estimated 125 million people visit the attraction each year.[2]

The tree, usually a Norway spruce Template:Convert tall, has been a national tradition each year since 1933.[3] The official 2024 Christmas Tree Lighting occurred during a live broadcast on December 4, 2024. The tree remained on display until mid-January 2025.[4]

Selection and decoration

File:Rockefeller Christmas Tree Close-Up 2018.jpg
A close-up look at the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in 2018

Trees are traditionally donated to Rockefeller Center, which in turn donates the lumber after display. Until his death in 2009, the late David Murbach,[5] Manager of the Gardens Division of Rockefeller Center, scouted for the desired tree in upstate New York and surrounding states, and even Ottawa in Ontario, Canada.[6]

Erik Pauzé, Head Gardener at Rockefeller Center, looks for each year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. He visits nurseries throughout the tri-state area and looks for unique backyard trees. Trees are also submitted for consideration through Rockefeller Center's website. Pauzé and his team choose each year's tree based on its heartiness and "Christmas tree shape," as well as its ability to support the heavy ornaments.[7]

Once a tree is selected, a crane supports the tree while it is cut, then moved to a custom telescoping trailer able to transport trees up to Template:Convert tall, although the narrowness of the streets around Rockefeller Center limits the height of the tree to Template:Convert. The tree is then delivered to the city by a local company, Christmas Tree Brooklyn. On its way to Manhattan, the tree is often dressed in giant red bows or banners extending holiday greetings to witnesses. Trucks, barges, and a transport plane have all been used to help the tree make the trip.[8]

Once at Rockefeller Center, the tree is supported[9] by four guy-wires attached at its midpoint and by a steel spike at its base. Scaffolding is erected around the tree to assist workers in hanging about 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and the star top.[10] A new crystal star of Swarovski crystal which tops the tree was created in 2018 and designed by the renowned architect Daniel Liebeskind.[11] The new star features 70 spikes and three million crystals with LED lighting spots by the company Oznium, who worked with the engineers.[12] In total it weighs 900 pounds (408.23 kg).[13]

History

File:First Rockefeller Center Tree1931.jpg
The first tree at Rockefeller Center, erected by construction workers in 1931 shortly after the site was cleared. Above, the workers line up for pay beside the tree, adorned with garlands made by workers' families.

The first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was erected in 1931, during the Depression-era construction of Rockefeller Center, when Italian-American workers decorated a smaller Template:Convert balsam fir with "strings of cranberries, garlands of paper, and even a few tin cans"[14] on Christmas Eve.[15] With the lighting of the Template:Convert first official tree two years later, the tree became what Rockefeller Center dubbed "a holiday beacon for New Yorkers and visitors alike". A skating rink was opened below the tree in the plaza in 1936.[2]

Since then, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been a yearly tradition.[14] Workers pooled their money for that unlit tree, with the garlands made by workers' families. According to Rockefeller Center's website, the tree was "from the beginning ... a gathering place and reflection of what was happening in the world around it".[8]

World War II ushered in simple, patriotic decorations, including red, white and blue unlit globes and painted wooden stars. In 1942, three more modest trees were raised instead of one large tree, each decorated in one of the flag's colors. The tree went unlit from 1944 until the war's end in 1945 due to blackout regulations.[2] After the war, the year of darkness was left behind, as six ultraviolet light projectors were employed to make it appear as though the tree's 700 fluorescent globes were glowing in the dark.[2] By the 1950s, workers began using scaffolding to decorate the tree, as larger trees were accommodated. Before the decade was over, the decorating process called for 20 workers and nine days.[8] 1951 marked the first time that NBC televised the tree lighting with a special on The Kate Smith Hour.[2]

File:Tree Angels 1955.jpg

In 1955, artist Valerie Clarebout's towering wire herald angels were added to the Channel Gardens in front of the tree near Fifth Avenue. Clarebout created the 12 sculptures using 75 points of metal wire each.[8][16]

The 1971 Template:Convert tree from East Montpelier, Vermont, was the first to be mulched and recycled. It was turned into 30 three-bushel bags of mulch for the nature trails of upper Manhattan. Though the tree typically makes its journey on a truck bed, in 1998 it was flown in from Richfield, Ohio, on the world's largest transport plane.[2] 1999 saw Rockefeller Center's tallest tree, a Template:Convert spruce from Killingworth, Connecticut.[17]

In 2001, following the September 11 attacks, the tree was again decorated in hues of red, white and blue.[8] In 2007, the tree went "green", converting to energy-efficient lighting with LEDs.[18][19] The LEDs use 1,200 fewer kilowatt hours of electricity per day, enough to power a 2,000-square-foot home for a month.[2] Also since 2007, each year after display, the tree has been milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity for use in house construction.[20] In 2014, mayor Bill de Blasio did not participate in the tree lighting ceremony. Since 2009, the tree is lit following a 5-second countdown and since 2011, the tree lighting ceremony has been followed by the singing of Joy to the World performed by a choir. In 2018, Kellie Pickler sang this song following the lighting ceremony.

Until 2018, the lighting was the last moment of the program, and has since been moved to the last ten minutes.

On November 16, 2020, an adult female northern saw-whet owl was found dehydrated and hungry within the wrapped branches of the newly delivered tree during its installation. The bird was discovered by workers who transported the spruce Template:Convert from Oneonta, New York to New York City. The feathered stowaway, named Rockefeller (Rocky), endured the three-day road trip and generated much public interest and media coverage. She was taken to a wildlife center for a check-up and nursed to full strength before being released on the grounds of the wildlife center in Saugerties, New York.[21]

Display

File:Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 03.jpg
The 2016 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a Template:Convert high Norway Spruce

The decorated tree remains on display at the plaza entrance of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at least through January 6 of the new year. As of 2019, more than a half million people passed by the tree each day while it is on display, according to Rockefeller Center.[8]

Broadcasting

Since 1997, the lighting ceremony has been broadcast live on NBC in the first hour of primetime, live in the Eastern and Central time zones, and on tape elsewhere. On NBC-owned stations, a 7pm ET/PT hour is also aired and hosted by WNBC's anchors. [22] The ceremony is hosted by Today's Al Roker (1997–present), Savannah Guthrie (2012–present), and Hoda Kotb (2017–present). In 2007, Ashley Tisdale and Nick Lachey hosted the broadcast with Roker. In 2018, MSNBC and Today anchor Craig Melvin began co-hosting the broadcast.[23] In 2022, Mario Lopez filled in for Guthrie and Roker due to her illness and his health complications involving blood clots. Kelly Clarkson hosted in 2023 and 2024. [24] Until 1997, it had been broadcast before primetime exclusively in New York on WNBC. In 2019, a second hour was added, meaning the tree is now lit just before 10 p.m. ET.

Performers

In recent years, celebrity appearances and live performances preceded the tree lighting ceremony and featured some of the biggest names in music. Performers for the broadcast ceremonies have included, over the years, John Legend, Diana Ross, Gwen Stefani, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Harry Connick Jr., Rosemary Clooney, Annie Lennox, Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Mickey Guyton, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.[25][26][27] The ceremony traditionally includes a performance by The Rockettes.

Yearly tree details

Year Original location Tree type Height Lighting ceremony Notes
1931 Balsam fir Template:Cvt[2] First tree decorated with handmade garland and strings of cranberries.
1933 Balsam fir Template:Cvt[2]
1934 Babylon, New York[28] Norway spruce Template:Cvt December 20, 1934
1935 Norway spruce Template:Convert[29]
1936 Morristown, New Jersey[30] Norway spruce Template:Convert Twin trees with newly opened skating rink
1937 Smithfield, Rhode Island[31] Norway spruce Template:Cvt Twin trees
1938 Norway spruce Template:Cvt[32] December 19, 1938 Twin trees
1939 Wyckoff, New Jersey[31] Norway spruce Template:Cvt[33] decorated only with floodlights and one star
1940 Hyde Park, New York[34] Norway spruce Template:Cvt[35]
1941 Norway spruce Template:Convert Four reindeer featured with the display[36]
1942 Huntington, New York,[35] Norway spruce Template:Cvt Three trees not lighted, painted red, white & blue[37]
1944 Long Island, New York Norway spruce Template:Cvt[38] Unlit since 1941. Known as "The Dark Trees"[39]
1945 Syosset, New York Norway spruce Template:Cvt[40] December 14, 1945
1946 Syosset, New York Norway spruce Template:Cvt[41]
1947 Deer Park, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert[42]
1948 Mount Kisco, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert[43] December 10, 1948
1949 Yaphank, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert[44] December 9, 1949 Spray-painted white[39]
1950 Mount Kisco, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert[45]
1951 Lake Ronkonkoma, New York[30] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1952 Allamuchy, New Jersey[31][30][46] Norway spruce Template:Convert from Peter Stuyvesant Estate
1953 Morristown, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert[47]
1954 Belvidere, New Jersey[48] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1955 Belvidere, New Jersey[49] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1956 Dalton, New Hampshire[50][51] White spruce Template:Convert December 6, 1956
1957 Island Pond, Vermont[35][52] White spruce Template:Convert
1958 East Madison, Maine[53] White spruce Template:Convert December 11, 1958
1959 Podunk, Massachusetts[54] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 10, 1959
1960 North Harford, Pennsylvania[55][35] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1961 Smithtown, New York[56] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 7, 1961
1962 Greenville, Maine[57] White spruce Template:Convert December 6, 1962
1963 Hurley, New York[30][58] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 12, 1963
1964 Lake Carmel, New York[59] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 10, 1964
1965 Darien, Connecticut[60] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 9, 1965
1966 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada[61] White spruce Template:Convert
1967 Coventry, Vermont[62] Balsam fir Template:Convert
1968 Holland, Vermont[35] White spruce Template:Convert
1969 Saranac Lake, New York[63] Balsam fir Template:Convert December 11, 1969
1970 Coventry, Vermont[35] White spruce Template:Convert
1971 East Montpelier, Vermont[35] Balsam fir Template:Convert
1972 Old Bridge, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1973 Tenafly, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1974 Lehighton, Pennsylvania[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1975 New Canaan, Connecticut[35] Balsam fir Template:Convert
1976 Montclair, New Jersey[35] White spruce Template:Convert
1977 Dixfield, Maine[35] White spruce Template:Convert
1978 Mahwah, New Jersey[64] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1979 Spring Valley, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1980 Mahwah, New Jersey[65] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 8, 1980
1981 West Danville, Vermont[35] White spruce Template:Convert December 7, 1981
1982 Mahwah, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 6, 1982
1983 Valley Cottage, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 5, 1983
1984 Far Hills, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 1984
1985 Harveyville, Pennsylvania[66] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 9, 1985
1986 Nanuet, New York[67] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 1, 1986
1987 Suffern, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 1, 1987
1988 Raritan Township, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert
1989 Montebello, New York[68] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 4, 1989
1990 West Norwalk, Connecticut[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 1990
1991 Suffern, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 1991
1992 Stony Point, New York[69] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 1992
1993 Nanuet, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 1993
1994 Ridgefield, Connecticut[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 1994
1995 Mendham Borough, New Jersey[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 5, 1995
1996 Armonk, New York[70] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 1996
1997 Stony Point, New York[35] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 1997
1998 Richfield, Ohio[71] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 1998
1999 Killingworth, Connecticut[72] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 1, 1999
2000 Buchanan, New York[73] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 29, 2000
2001 Wayne, New Jersey[74] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 28, 2001
2002 Bloomsbury, New Jersey[75] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 4, 2002
2003 Manchester, Connecticut[76] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 2003
2004 Suffern, New York[76] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 30, 2004
2005 Wayne, New Jersey[77] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 30, 2005
2006 Ridgefield, Connecticut[78] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 29, 2006
2007 Shelton, Connecticut[79] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 28, 2007
2008 Hamilton Township, New Jersey[80] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 2008
2009 Easton, Connecticut[81] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 2009
2010 Mahopac, New York[82] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 30, 2010
2011 Mifflinville, Pennsylvania[83] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 30, 2011
2012 Flanders, New Jersey[84] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 28, 2012
2013 Shelton, Connecticut[85] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 4, 2013
2014 Danville, Pennsylvania[86] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 3, 2014
2015 Gardiner, New York[87] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 2015
2016 Oneonta, New York[88] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 30, 2016
2017 State College, Pennsylvania[89] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 29, 2017
2018 Wallkill, New York[90] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 28, 2018
2019 Florida, New York[91] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 4, 2019
2020 Oneonta, New York[92] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 2, 2020
2021 Elkton, Maryland[93] Norway spruce Template:Convert December 1, 2021
2022 Queensbury, New York[94] Norway spruce Template:Convert November 30, 2022 50,000 LED lights & Swarovski crystal star; remained on display until January 14, 2023[95]
2023 Vestal, New York[96] Norway spruce Template:Cvt November 29, 2023 More than 50,000 multi-colored, LED lights; crowned with a Swarovski star
2024 West Stockbridge, Massachusetts[97] Norway spruce Template:Cvt December 4, 2024

See also

References

Template:Reflist

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Bibliography

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Further reading

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External links

Template:Sister project

Template:Rockefeller Center Template:Christmas trees Template:Christmas

Template:Coord

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