My Christmas in New York

Where Christmas Happens

Woman standing in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2024 with open arms

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting: 2024 date and Christmas tradition

Are you planning a trip to New York during the 2024 Holiday Season? This article will help you learn everything about the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024. Here you will find information about the tree lighting ceremony in NYC. We will start by presenting the date of the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting. Additionally, we will explain in detail why Rockefeller chose this date for the Holiday Season. Finally, we will provide a few important tips if you wish to attend the opening ceremony. This article complements the comprehensive blog post I wrote about the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024 in NYC

Introduction to the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024 is a cherished tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season in New York. This annual event attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. In fact, it is not only a celebration of the festive spirit but also a symbol of hope and joy. The anticipation builds as people gather to witness the iconic moment when the tree is illuminated. The Tree Lighting Ceremony signifies the start of a magical time in the city. This year, the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024 promises to be as spectacular as ever. We look forward to welcoming a lineup of performances and special guests that will make the evening unforgettable.

As you prepare to experience the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024, it’s essential to know all the details about the event. These include the date, time, and what to expect. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 4th, beginning at 7 PM. While the hosts and performers for this year have yet to be announced, the tradition of featuring top-tier entertainers is sure to continue. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned attendee. In all cases it’s extremely important understanding the logistics of the 2024 most iconic NYC Tree Lighting Ceremony. They will help you make the most of your experience. In the following sections, we’ll provide you with all the information you need, from the significance of the chosen date to the best tips for securing a good viewing spot.

This introduction aims to guide you through everything you need to know to have a memorable experience at the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024, ensuring that you don’t miss a moment of this iconic holiday event.

The Holiday Tree in Midtown Manhattan during the 2024 Lighting Ceremony

Date of the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony

The 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 4th. The ceremony begins at 7 PM when the host will start introducing the special guests of the 2024 lighting ceremony. Last year, the host of the event was Kelly Clarkson. Additionally, the most important musical performances were by Cher, Barry Manilow, Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, and David Foster. As of today, the host and special guests of the 2024 NYC holiday tree ceremony have not been announced yet. We suggest you follow our Instagram page @MyChristmasinNewYork, where we will post all the updates on the 2024 Holiday Season in New York.

When planning your visit to New York during the Christmas season, there’s an important detail to keep in mind. The date of the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024 coincides with the blackout date of another iconic event in NYC: the Saks Fifth Avenue Lights Show. For all the details, I invite you to read the dedicated article.

Why the Rockefeller choose December 4th for the Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024?

As mentioned in the paragraph above, the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting will be on December 4th. This follows a tradition that has been respected for the past few years. In fact, the opening ceremony is always held on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving Day. In 2024, Thanksgiving Day in New York will be on Thursday, November 28th. Therefore, the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 4th. You can use this pattern to plan your future holiday season trips to NYC. For example, in 2025, Thanksgiving Day in NYC will be on November 27th. Consequently, the 2025 lighting ceremony of the world’s most famous holiday tree will be on December 3rd.

Curious to know the complete New York Christmas Timeline? I invite you to read the dedicated blog article

Historic photo of the Rockefeller Center Holiday Tree and its lighting ceremony

Our best advice to attend the event in New York this Christmas season

Are you planning on attending the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024? Then we advise you to carefully read the following section. This is one of the most famous and iconic events in NYC. Consequently, the number of people that plan to attend it is enormous. It’s a bit like New Year’s Eve in Times Square. If you want to make sure that you have a good view on the tree and the performing artist you need to arrive very early. What very early means? Around lunch time, not later than that. In fact, some people already stand in front of the tree to get a first-row view of the opening ceremony from early in the morning. If you want to make sure you don’t miss any of the most iconic moments of the most popular NYC Christmas event, you should do the same.

More tips to attend the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024

As explained in the previous paragraph, if you want to have a great view on the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting you should arrive early. We advise you to be there around lunch time, but not later than 2 PM. After that, it’s most probable that you won’t have a good spot to see the opening ceremony. Also, once you are in your position, you cannot move. For safety reasons, people are enclosed in precincts with barriers. When you are in your spot to see the 2024 tree lighting ceremony in New York you cannot leave it. If you do, you won’t be allowed to get back to the same spot you had. This means that you cannot access restrooms, get something to drink or eat. It’s a long wait, like the one of Times Square on December 31st.

The most iconic Holiday Tree in New York without lights

Alternative ways to see the Rockefeller Tree being lit without crowds

Did you know that the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree isn’t lit 24/7? In fact, every day, its lights are switched off at midnight. At 5 AM of the next day, then, the Rockefeller Center turns on again the lights of its Christmas Tree. After reading the paragraphs above you are discouraged on attending the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024? Here below I have the solution for you, so that you will avoid waiting in line for hours. Set your alarm early enough to be in front of the Holiday Tree at 4:50 AM. Then wait a few minutes and at 5 AM sharp the Rockefeller Center will turn on the fifth thousand lights of its tree. This is the best way to see a Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024 without crowds. You won’t have the iconic countdown, but you can record a perfect video of its lights being turned on.

Conclusion: plan your 2024 visit to the most iconic NYC Holiday Sights

Planning your visit to the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024 can be an unforgettable experience if you prepare well. This iconic event is a cornerstone of New York’s holiday season, attracting thousands of visitors each year. By understanding the importance of arriving early and being prepared for long waits, you can ensure you have a prime spot to witness the tree lighting ceremony in all its glory. Remember, getting there by lunchtime is crucial to securing a good view of the performances and the tree itself.

If the idea of standing in the cold for hours doesn’t appeal to you, there are still ways to enjoy the magic of the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024 without the crowds. Consider visiting the tree early in the morning when the lights are first turned on at 5 AM. This alternative allows you to capture beautiful photos and videos of the illuminated tree without the hustle and bustle of the evening ceremony. It’s a peaceful way to experience the wonder of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Ultimately, whether you choose to brave the crowds for the official lighting ceremony or opt for a quieter morning visit, the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024 is an event you won’t want to miss. Use the tips and information provided in this article to plan your visit and make the most of your holiday season in New York. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, the stunning lights, and the joyful spirit that only the Rockefeller Center can offer during the holidays.

2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in Manhattan New York during the lighting ceremony
Radio City Music Hall with its holiday tree is a symbol of Christmas in New York 2024
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour 2024 with Lucy Spata House in Brooklyn

Top 10 Christmas Things to do in NYC

Are you planning a Christmas Trip to New York? Get my Ultimate E-Guide on the Best 10 Things to Do in NYC this Holiday Season. The list is personally curated by Marco from My Christmas in New York.