Holiday guide · Checked October 26, 2026
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2026
The tree is lit on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, during a ceremony Rockefeller Center lists as 7–10pm and NBC carries live in “Christmas in Rockefeller Center”. This year’s tree is a 76-foot Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York, arriving on the plaza Saturday, November 7. It stays up into January.
LightingWed, Dec 27–10pm; lit just before 10 in past years
The tree76-ft Norway spruceFrom West Edmeston, NY
ArrivesSat, Nov 7Meet the Tree Day, free
CostFree to seePaid VIP packages exist
Dates and times
- Tree arrives
- Saturday, November 7 — Meet the Tree Day, free and first come, first served. It’s cut on Thursday, November 5.
- Lighting ceremony
- Wednesday, December 2, 7–10pm. In past years the switch-on came just before 10pm.
- On TV
- NBC’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center”; the 2026 air time isn’t out yet. In 2025 it aired at 8pm ET on NBC and Peacock.2025 detail · 2026 not out yet
- Viewing hours
- 5am to midnight daily after the lighting.2025 detail · 2026 not out yet
- Holidays
- Lit for 24 hours on Christmas Day and 5am–9pm on New Year’s Eve, per 6sqft (2026). CBS put the 24 hours on Christmas Eve in 2025 — check closer to the day.
- Comes down
- Up through January 9, 2027, per news reports; Rockefeller Center says “through mid-January”. The tree is milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.
The tree, the closures and the subway
The tree stands at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between W 49th and W 50th Sts, above The Rink. On lighting day in 2025, Fifth and Sixth Aves and the streets between them from 46th to 52nd St were closed.
Closed to trafficThe eventLightsStationWay in
Going to the lighting in person
When to arriveHours earlyViewing areas have opened around 4pm (NBC, 2024). In 2025 the first spectators were lined up before 2pm.
What to leaveNo big bags or umbrellasThe NYPD’s last published notice (2017) banned umbrellas, large coolers, alcohol, backpacks and large bags.
The easy wayAny night after December 2If you just want to see the tree lit, any night afterwards is far easier — in 2025 it was lit daily from 5am to midnight.
The rinkOpen for its 90th seasonThe Rink opened October 10, daily 9am–midnight, general skate from $22. Our holiday hub has more rinks.
Tips
- DoSee it on a weeknight morningThe tree is lit from 5am (2025 hours). Early morning is the one time the plaza is quiet.
- DoCatch the arrival on Nov 7Meet the Tree Day is free, with a Care Bears/FAO Schwarz workshop 10am–1pm.
- Heads upStreets near the tree closeOn lighting day in 2025, Fifth and Sixth Aves and the streets between them from 46th to 52nd were closed. In past seasons 49th and 50th Sts went pedestrian-only on busy evenings.
- DoPair it with SaksThe Saks light show across Fifth Ave returns November 23 and runs every few minutes after dark.
- Don’tDon’t pay for a “viewing ticket”The lighting is free to watch from the public areas. VIP packages (over $300 in 2025) are an option, not a requirement.
- Heads upTake the B, D, F or M47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center is the nearest station; it’s packed on lighting night.
The tree in past years
Questions people ask
When is the 2026 Rockefeller Center tree lighting?＋
Wednesday, December 2, 2026. Rockefeller Center lists the ceremony as 7–10pm; in past years the tree was lit just before 10pm.
What channel is the Rockefeller tree lighting on?＋
It airs live on NBC’s “Christmas in Rockefeller Center”. The 2026 air time hasn’t been announced; in 2025 it aired at 8pm ET on NBC and Peacock.
Can you go to the Rockefeller tree lighting?＋
Yes. The public areas are free, first come, first served; viewing areas have opened around 4pm, and in 2025 people were lining up before 2pm. Fifth and Sixth Aves from 46th to 52nd St were closed that day.
Where is the 2026 Rockefeller tree from?＋
It’s a 76-foot Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York, about 75 years old, donated by Rebecca Decker. It arrives on the plaza on Saturday, November 7.
What are the Rockefeller tree viewing hours?＋
2026 hours aren’t posted yet. In 2025 the tree was lit daily from 5am to midnight, with longer hours around Christmas and shorter ones on New Year’s Eve.
When does the Rockefeller tree come down?＋
News reports say the 2026 tree stays up through January 9, 2027. Last season’s was last lit on January 9, 2026.
What subway goes to the Rockefeller Center tree?＋
The B, D, F or M to 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center. The tree is between W 49th and W 50th Sts.
More this season
Checked October 26, 2026 against the organisers’ and the city’s own pages. Where this season’s detail isn’t published yet, we show last year’s and say so. Sources: