The holiday season is officially underway in New York City with the arrival of the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a towering 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, New York. Donated by the Russ family—who watched the spruce grow on their property for generations—the tree was cut down on November 6 before making its way to Manhattan. Two days later, it was hoisted into place at Rockefeller Plaza, kicking off one of the city’s most beloved traditions.
This year’s tree weighs more than 11 tons and will be decorated with over 50,000 energy-efficient LED lights strung along nearly five miles of wiring. As always, the display will be crowned with a dramatic nine-foot Swarovski crystal star weighing roughly 900 pounds, turning the plaza into a glittering centerpiece for New York’s holiday celebrations.
The official lighting ceremony will take place on December 3, 2025, during the annual televised Christmas in Rockefeller Center NBC special, which draws crowds of thousands in person and millions more watching from home. The tree will remain on display through mid-January 2026, offering visitors from around the world a chance to experience one of New York’s most iconic seasonal sights.
