2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: 75-foot Norway Spruce from New York set to light up Manhattan

The holiday season in Manhattan is about to get brighter. The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a towering 75-foot Norway spruce weighing 11 tons, has been carefully cut from its home in East Greenbush, New York, and is now making its journey to Rockefeller Plaza, where it will light up the city and delight thousands of visitors.

The magnificent tree, donated by the Russ family, will arrive in New York City on Saturday, November 8, 2025, after being felled on Thursday, November 6. Measuring 45 feet wide, the spruce is estimated to be around 75 years old, making it a true emblem of enduring holiday spirit.

“This has always been a dream for our family,” said Judy Russ. “As my husband Dan has passed, this tree will shine as a beautiful memory of him. It’s special that our tree gets to be the world’s Christmas tree.” Her seven-year-old son, Liam, added, “I’m excited that the whole world can see it.”

Once installed at Rockefeller Plaza, the tree will be adorned with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights, strung along nearly five miles of wiring. A dazzling 9-foot, 900-pound Swarovski star, encrusted with 3 million crystals, will top the tree, creating a spectacle for millions of holiday visitors and television viewers.

The official lighting ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, at 7 p.m. ET. NBC will broadcast the event live as part of its annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special, available on television, Peacock, and streaming platforms.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition dates back to 1931, when construction workers first placed a small tree at the site. The first formal tree-lighting ceremony occurred in 1933. Over the decades, the tree has featured innovative decorations, from silver-painted branches in 1949 to energy-efficient LEDs introduced in 2007. Some trees have even traveled internationally, like the Canadian spruce in 1966, marking the farthest distance a tree has ever journeyed to the plaza.

After the holiday season, the 2025 tree will serve a new purpose: it will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity, extending its legacy of giving and community impact beyond the holidays.

The Russ family’s contribution carries personal significance. Judy Russ and her late husband, Dan, had long admired the Rockefeller tree, imagining their own backyard spruce could one day shine in Manhattan. Though Dan passed away in 2020, this year’s tree offers a heartfelt tribute to him and a cherished memory for the family.

For New Yorkers and visitors alike, the arrival and lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a beloved seasonal ritual, signaling the start of the holiday festivities in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

FAQ

Q: When will the 2025 Rockefeller Christmas Tree arrive in New York?
A: The tree is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Q: Where does this year’s tree come from?
A: The 75-foot Norway spruce comes from the Russ family home in East Greenbush, New York.

Q: When is the lighting ceremony?
A: The lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 3, at 7 p.m. ET.

Q: How is the tree decorated?
A: It will be adorned with over 50,000 LED lights and topped with a 9-foot Swarovski star covered in 3 million crystals.

Q: What happens to the tree after the holidays?
A: It will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.