Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Plaza Lights
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Where: Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, New York, New York
When: Tree lighting December 3, 2025; lit through mid-January
Hours: Daily 5am to midnight; 24 hours on Christmas Eve; 5am-9pm on New Year's Eve
Cost: free
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The city's signature holiday attraction, where the giant tree glows with more than 50,000 LEDs beneath its star topper after a nationally televised lighting ceremony in early December. The tree stays lit daily from 5am to midnight through mid-January, and VIP tours can include access to the 620 Loft & Garden overlook.
Best time to arrive. Sunset in New York is around 4:29 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:00 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 26°F, so dress for standing around outside.
Other displays nearby
There are 21 other displays within 5 miles of this one, and 31 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.
- Bryant Park Winter Village
- The Plaza Hotel Holiday Decorations
- The Shops at Columbus Circle Holiday Light Show
- Hudson Yards Shine Bright
- Union Square Holiday Market
- Chelsea Market Holiday Lights
- Panna II Garden & Milon
- Avenue of the Americas Holiday Decorations
Make a night of it. This is stop 6 on our 22-stop New York lights loop — about 21.7 miles and 140 minutes of driving in total.