Rockefeller Tree Lighting 2026 Travel Package in New York
Highlights
Exclusive Rockefeller Tree Lighting Gala Dinner
Enjoy a warm indoor venue overlooking the tree with buffet, open bar, and live music, or step outside to your dedicated viewing area to experience the lighting up close without the crowds
4 nights at Tempo by Hilton Times Square
4 star hotel in the heart of Midtown, personally selected and tested by our team
Premium Orchestra tickets for the Rockettes
Experience the Radio City Christmas Spectacular from some of the best seats
Exclusive dining experience at Papillon Christmas Restaurant
Skip the line and enjoy a reserved table with a 2 course prix fixe menu included
Fully curated Christmas experience
Christmas tours, iconic dining experiences, and selected meals included
Small group boutique experience
Limited to just 22 guests for a more personal, smooth, and premium experience
Travel Package Description
Experience the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2026, the most iconic holiday event in New York, with one of the most exclusive travel packages available. This experience is designed entirely around this once a year moment, giving you privileged access, comfort, and the best possible vantage point to enjoy it without the crowds. Our curated Christmas travel package includes a 4 night stay at the 4 star Tempo by Hilton Times Square and an exclusive Tree Lighting Gala Dinner experience. From a stunning indoor venue overlooking Rockefeller Center, you will enjoy direct views of the tree through large windows. At any moment, you can also step outside to a dedicated viewing area with your exclusive access bracelet, then return inside to warm up, enjoy buffet dining, drinks, and live music throughout the evening.
For our New York Christmas travel package, we chose the Tempo by Hilton Times Square, a modern 4 star hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Its location offers one of the best positions for travelers visiting New York during the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2026. Our NYC travel package also includes several iconic New York experiences. Guests receive Premium Orchestra tickets for the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The itinerary also includes lunch at Papillon Christmas Restaurant and lunch at the famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner. These experiences make this Christmas trip to New York a complete holiday getaway.
Our Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting travel package also includes two of our most popular Christmas tours. Guests travel in a comfortable luxury minivan to visit the famous Dyker Heights Christmas Lights in Brooklyn and explore some of the best Christmas decorations in New York City. On the final evening, guests enjoy a festive Christmas cruise with live music, where you will see the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline at night.
What You Will Experience
From your arrival in New York to the grand finale with skyline views on the water, every day has been carefully planned to give you a seamless and memorable Christmas experience in New York City.
At the heart of the package is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, with an exclusive indoor gala overlooking the tree and the freedom to step outside to experience the ceremony up close or stay warm inside while enjoying dinner, drinks and live entertainment.
Tuesday, December 1
Arrival, welcome & Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Check in at the 4-star Tempo by Hilton Times Square in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
Meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group, including the guests who will share this experience with you.
Enjoy catering from iconic NYC favorites including Joe’s Pizza, fresh New York bagels and Levain Bakery cookies.
Enjoy Premium Orchestra tickets for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Your Tour Leader accompanies the group and coordinates the experience from beginning to end.
Wednesday, December 2
Christmas in Manhattan & Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
to 12:00 PM
Explore Manhattan by luxury minivan on a fully guided Christmas experience featuring iconic holiday locations, hidden gems and some of the city’s best photo spots.
Enjoy an included 2-course lunch at one of New York’s most festive Christmas restaurants.
Enjoy some time at your own pace. Your Tour Leader will be happy to help you plan the afternoon according to your interests.
to 10:30 PM
Experience the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting from an exclusive indoor gala inside 45 Rockefeller Center, with large windows overlooking the ceremony and the illuminated Christmas tree.
Throughout the evening, move between the warm indoor gala and a dedicated outdoor viewing area, allowing you to experience the Tree Lighting from both perspectives.
Inside, enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, dessert buffet, cocktails, champagne and live entertainment throughout the evening.
Explore the Tree Lighting ExperienceThursday, December 3
Free time, Ellen’s Stardust Diner & Dyker Heights
Enjoy some time at your own pace. Your Tour Leader will be happy to help you plan the morning according to your interests.
Skip the line and enjoy an included lunch surrounded by Broadway singing waiters and unmistakable New York energy.
to 8:30 PM
Travel by luxury minivan on a fully guided evening through Brooklyn to experience the spectacular Christmas displays of Dyker Heights and the skyline views of DUMBO.
During the tour, stop at Time Out Market where you can choose your preferred food and enjoy dinner indoors with the Manhattan skyline just outside. The evening finishes at Bryant Park with a complimentary hot chocolate before returning to Times Square.
Friday, December 4
Central Park & Statue of Liberty Christmas Cruise
to 12:30 PM
Explore Central Park with your Tour Leader, including Gapstow Bridge, Wollman Rink, The Mall, Bethesda Terrace & Fountain, Bow Bridge and the John Lennon Memorial. Along the way you will also discover famous movie locations and enjoy Central Park’s festive atmosphere.
Enjoy time for lunch, shopping, museums or simply relaxing. Your Tour Leader can help you plan the afternoon according to your interests.
to 7:30 PM
Leave with the group at 4:15 PM to allow time to reach the pier and board for the 6:00 PM departure. Enjoy a reserved table on the 1.5-hour Christmas cruise, including a complimentary drink and cookies, Christmas music, the illuminated Statue of Liberty and New York’s skyline at night.
Your Tour Leader will help you find the perfect dinner spot before or after the cruise based on your preferences, leaving time to enjoy part of the final evening privately with your party.
Saturday, December 5
Breakfast & departure
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and concluding your Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting experience in New York.
Rockefeller Center Highlight
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Gala
Experience one of New York’s most iconic Christmas traditions from an exclusive gala inside 45 Rockefeller Center. From the third-floor ballroom, large windows overlook the Tree Lighting while you enjoy dinner, drinks and live entertainment in the warmth indoors.
Throughout the evening, you can experience the ceremony from both perspectives: enjoy the celebration inside or step outside to your dedicated viewing area to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting up close before returning to the gala.
Enjoy views of the Tree Lighting through the ballroom’s large glass windows, giving you a comfortable indoor place to follow the ceremony while remaining just steps from the celebration
Your access allows you to step outside to the dedicated viewing area and take in the atmosphere, performances and Tree Lighting in Rockefeller Center before returning indoors
Enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, dessert buffet, cocktails and champagne alongside live music, dancing and entertainment throughout the four-hour gala
Good to know: you do not need to choose between indoor and outdoor viewing in advance. You can move between the gala and the dedicated outdoor viewing area throughout the evening.
Your Hotel: Tempo by Hilton Times Square
What’s Included
Stay & Transportation
Four nights at Tempo by Hilton Times Square from December 1 to 5, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan
Daily buffet-style continental American breakfast at the hotel
Transportation in our comfortable luxury minivan throughout the included tour experiences
Signature Experiences
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Gala with indoor viewing, dedicated outdoor viewing access, buffet dinner, drinks and live entertainment View experience
Premium Orchestra tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes
My Christmas Morning in Manhattan Luxury Tour
Skip-the-line VIP access with reserved table at Papillon Christmas Restaurant
Dyker Heights & DUMBO Christmas Lights Luxury Tour, including complimentary hot chocolate at Bryant Park Winter Village
Central Park Tour
Statue of Liberty Christmas Cruise with reserved table, complimentary drink and cookies
Dining & Personal Support
2-course prix fixe lunch menu at Papillon Christmas Restaurant
3-course prix fixe lunch menu at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Welcome meeting with your Tour Leader, including NYC-style pizza, bagels and cookies
Dinner with skyline views at Time Out Market in DUMBO, Brooklyn
Nine of eleven meals included: 4 hotel breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
Licensed Tour Leader reachable even during free time, with direct owner escalation and immediate response if needed
Not Included
Flights to and from New York
Airport transportation to and from the hotel
Travel and health insurance
ESTA or visa for international travelers
Food and drinks not specifically mentioned as included
Costs related to activities not listed as included
Gratuities for the driver and Tour Leader are not compulsory but are always appreciated
Cancellation Policy
This is a boutique group travel experience limited to 22 guests. The following cancellation policy applies:
The $250 deposit per person is never refundable in any case.
- Cancel by July 31, 2026: full refund minus deposit.
- Cancel August 1 – October 1, 2026: 50% refund minus deposit.
- From October 2, 2026: non-refundable.
Full payment must be completed before the start of the experience. Failure to complete payment may result in cancellation of your reservation, with no refund of any amounts previously paid, in accordance with the applicable cancellation policy.
If you cannot travel, you may transfer your package to another person. You must inform us as soon as possible so we can arrange all necessary updates with hotels and suppliers. If the change of participant is not communicated in advance, we cannot guarantee participation.
We strongly recommend purchasing separate travel and health insurance covering medical issues, cancellation, and trip interruption.
Have a Question?
Most questions are answered in our Travel Package FAQ. If you need anything else, email us at info@discovernyc.tours or send us a WhatsApp message. We’re always happy to help.
Need help?
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Another Way to Experience Christmas
Already Have Your Stay Planned?
Join us for the Christmas experiences without the full travel package. Explore our small-group Christmas tours and choose the ones that fit your New York plans.
Explore Our Christmas Tours