Residents in the Big Apple are abuzz with excitement as the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is set to arrive this week, and its festivities will kick off early.
A 75-year-old Norway Spruce, measuring an impressive 75 feet tall and weighing a massive 11 tons, will be cut down this Thursday from East Greenbush, just outside Albany. Once transported by flatbed truck to Manhattan, the towering tree will finally find its place at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where it'll be set up in anticipation of its official lighting ceremony on December 3.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of the magnificent tree before the main event, the "Meet the Tree" event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. This festive celebration will feature activities inspired by beloved holiday specials, including a Peanuts-themed coloring station and a build-your-own Snoopy station at Build-A-Bear.
The star of the show – literally – is the tree's impressive lighting display, which features 50,000 multicolored LEDs strung across approximately 5 miles of wire. The pièce de résistance will be a three-dimensional star weighing around 900 pounds, adorned with 70 spikes and over 3 million crystals.
What's more, for the first time ever, Holiday Top of the Rock ticket holders between December 4 and January 10 will enjoy exclusive viewing access to the tree on their way to the Top of the Rock observation deck. However, note that spots are limited and advance registration is highly recommended.
After mid-January 2026, when the festive display comes to an end, the tree will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity's work in building affordable housing projects – a heartwarming gesture to give back to the community that welcomed it with open arms.
A 75-year-old Norway Spruce, measuring an impressive 75 feet tall and weighing a massive 11 tons, will be cut down this Thursday from East Greenbush, just outside Albany. Once transported by flatbed truck to Manhattan, the towering tree will finally find its place at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where it'll be set up in anticipation of its official lighting ceremony on December 3.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of the magnificent tree before the main event, the "Meet the Tree" event is scheduled for Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. This festive celebration will feature activities inspired by beloved holiday specials, including a Peanuts-themed coloring station and a build-your-own Snoopy station at Build-A-Bear.
The star of the show – literally – is the tree's impressive lighting display, which features 50,000 multicolored LEDs strung across approximately 5 miles of wire. The pièce de résistance will be a three-dimensional star weighing around 900 pounds, adorned with 70 spikes and over 3 million crystals.
What's more, for the first time ever, Holiday Top of the Rock ticket holders between December 4 and January 10 will enjoy exclusive viewing access to the tree on their way to the Top of the Rock observation deck. However, note that spots are limited and advance registration is highly recommended.
After mid-January 2026, when the festive display comes to an end, the tree will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity's work in building affordable housing projects – a heartwarming gesture to give back to the community that welcomed it with open arms.
i mean can you even imagine walking up to 30 rock plaza and seeing that massive Norway spruce towering above all the skyscrapers? 
and omg those lights and the star on top are going to be insane 
what a sick view for holiday top of the rock ticket holders tho 
gotta get those tickets ASAP or you'll be stuck outside staring at the security guard's back while everyone else is having fun inside
cant wait for the "meet the tree" event tho 
gonna be so much fun for the kids (and let's be real, adults too 
)
. And those LED lights?! 50k+ multicolored LEDs strung across 5 miles of wire? Mind blown 
! im so down for the meet the tree event saturday i wanna see the tree before its all lit up 
. ive heard the lighting display is gonna be insane tho like 50k leds and a giant star weighing 900 pounds? thats just wow 
. on a more serious note, its so cool that the tree will be milled into lumber for habitat for humanity. like, it feels good to know our festive fun is making a difference 
.
. Now it feels like they're trying to outdo each other with all these new gadgets and whatnot. I mean, 50,000 LEDs is cool and all, but where's the charm in that? Give me a good ol' fashioned string of fairy lights any day 
. Anyway, I'm sure the tree will look stunning when it's all lit up, even if it is a bit pricey 
. At least they're doing some good by donating the lumber to Habitat for Humanity 
The best part? It's gonna get recycled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity, what a wonderful way to give back to the community 
build-your-own Snoopy station sounds like so much fun for the kiddos 
. it's all about spreading cheer and making a difference 
, and I need to get tickets for the Top of the Rock observation deck ASAP 
– that exclusive viewing access sounds like a game-changer! And I love how they're donating the tree to Habitat for Humanity after the festive season ends – what a wonderful way to give back to the community 
️ and it's so cool that its going 2 b milled into lumber 4 Habitat 4 Humanity 
! Rockefeller Center is always such a magical place, and I love how they make everything feel extra special during Christmas time. That tree is going to be stunning, all lit up with those 50k LEDs – it's like something out of a movie! And the fact that they're giving away some pretty cool perks to Holiday Top of the Rock ticket holders? Genius move 
.
!
Build-your-own Snoopy station at Build-A-Bear? Yes, please! 
. And what's up with the special viewing access for Holiday Top of the Rock ticket holders? Sounds like a way to get people in line and distracted while they're at it 
like what even is the point of having a giant tree up for 2 months? Can't they just have one decent event and then be done with it? And don't even get me started on how crowded Rockefeller Center always gets. 50,000 LEDs strung across 5 miles of wire, please do us all a favor and make the lighting display accessible to people who can actually afford it, not just those with Holiday Top of the Rock tickets 
. And 11 tons of tree weighs a lot, fam! 
But on the bright side, those LEDs are gonna be SICK 
– I'm totally bringing my inner child to this event! 
. Can't wait to see it all go down in person, and I hope I score those exclusive viewing spots 
. And don't even get me started on the LEDs – what's wrong with good old-fashioned string lights? It's like they're trying to outdo each other in terms of spectacle and waste 
and on a more serious note, its awesome that they're giving back to the community after it's all done 
But what I really love is that after it's all done, the tree will get recycled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity - that's just so cool!