The plaza will be “spruced up” to kick off the holiday season!
If you didn’t know, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is now ready for its 89th annual lighting ceremony.
Since 1931, a different giant trees has been chosen to be honored at Rockefeller Plaza (home of TODAY and NBC), where the lighting ceremony is broadcast live worldwide every year since 1951. The annual event will take place on Wednesday, December 1.
The ceremony was unusual last year, as it took place during a pandemic lockdown. Although the tree wasn’t as lush and full of wonder that everyone expected, it did bring a cute stowaway. This year’s tree appears to be ready to make up the difference , based on an amazing Instagram photo of it before being taken down and shipped from New York.
We know exactly what you are asking: How do you see the ceremony? Which stars will you see? How can you visit the tree after it is brightened up? Keep reading. All the answers are here!
8 facts and figures about the 2021 Rockfeller Christmas Tree
- It measures 79 feet high and 46 feet wide.
- It is a Norway spruce donated by the state from Elkton in Maryland.
- The tree is 80-years old
- It is 12 tons in weight
- Over 50,000 LED lights will decorate the tree in multicolor, energy-efficient LEDs
- It will be topped with a Swarovski Star, which was designed by Daniel Libeskind for 2018.
- The topper is made up of 3 million Swarovski crystals, 70 triangular spikes, and approximately 900 pounds.
- The tree will fall sometime in January. When it is done, the wood will then be cut into lumber and donated by Habitat for Humanity.
When does the Rockefeller tree lighting take place?
The Rockefeller Center tree lighting celebrations begin at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 1. This will be part the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” live special on NBC.
The tree will then be lit up for 24 hours from Christmas Day onwards, turning on every day between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. It will be lit from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Watch the Rockefeller tree lighting.
The ceremony was closed to the public last year due to COVID safety concerns. However, it will open again to the public. The best and most pleasant view, however, will be from home, on NBC. The special starts at 8 p.m. Hoda Kotb (Today anchor), Craig Melvin (NBC) and Al Roker host the celebrations.
An additional hour of programming will be available to NBC-owned television stations and affiliates ahead of the prime-time telecast. It will begin at 7 p.m. Check your local listings. Access Daily’s Mario Lopez and Access Hollywood’s Natalie Pasquarella, as well as David Ushery and David Ushery from NBC 4 New York will host this additional live hour.
What’ll you see at the Rockefeller tree-lighting?
Expect performances and appearances from:
- Carrie Underwood
- Mickey Guyton
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Brad Paisley
- Alessia Cara
- Norah Jones
- Rob Thomas
- The Radio City Rockettes
Where do I go to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree?
After the ceremony, the plaza will be open for business as usual. The tree will be displayed between West 49th Street and West 50th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues in New York City.
