This holiday season, all eyes will be on a New Yorker taking center stage in Manhattan: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. And this year, it hails from East Greenbush, New York.
The native New York tree from a suburb just south of Albany marks a return to an Empire State born-and-bred tree after the 2024 version came from Massachusetts. The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce, which boasts a diameter of 45 feet, will travel about 130 miles, arriving at the famous plaza on Nov. 8.
“As soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect,” Erik Pauze, Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, said in a statement, adding “What I look for is a tree you’d want in your living room, but on a grander scale … it needs to make people smile the second they see it.”
For more than three decades, Pauze has chosen the city’s most iconic holiday tree. Selections have come from up and down the East Coast, including New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Seven of the last ten have been from New York state. And this year, the winning tree came to him through happenstance, as a photo was given to him through a Rockefeller Center security supervisor.
Growing for decades on the Russ family’s upstate property, the grand tree has been an integral part of the family’s milestones, but the longtime New Yorkers can’t wait to share its joy with the world.
“I’m excited to make more cherished memories with my family and childhood friends as it becomes the world’s Christmas tree,” Judy Russ said in the statement.
Tishman Speyer
After making the long journey to New York City, the tree will be prepped for presentation, getting a serious glow up that includes 50,000 colorful (but energy-efficient) LED lights. It will then be topped with its crown jewel, a Swarovski star with 3 million crystals and 70 glass spikes, shining with an intensity of 106,000 lumens that has been described as bright enough to “turn night into day,” according to New York City Tourism + Conventions.
The Russ family tree will then officially transform into the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the live broadcast of “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.” The special will air on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET and be hosted by country music icon Reba McEntire, who will also perform.
As synonymous as the three-time Grammy winner is with the holidays, this will be her first time in the city for Christmas.
“To see all the Christmas decorations and to get to be a part of the tree lighting ceremony, Rockefeller Center, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and I’m honored that they asked me to do it,” McEntire told People.
Visitors to Rockefeller Center will also be treated to some never-before-seen unique ways to experience the tree this season. Most notably, those who visit the 30 Rock observation deck Top of the Rock between Dec. 4 and Jan. 10 will be able to access right under the tree for a close-up photo opportunity.
Also making its debut this year is the Meet The Tree event featuring FAO Schwarz and Peanuts on the day of the tree’s arrival on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All over Rockefeller Center, there will be holiday festivities, including those honoring the 60th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Featured opportunities include photo moments with Snoopy at the Top of the Rock and a Build-A-Bear “heart ceremony” with Snoopy bears. Sign-ups for the free event are full, but a wait list is still open on Eventbrite.
There are also plenty of ways to toast the festive season through the tree’s tenure, whether it’s ice skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, relaxing at the Après Skate Chalets with views of the tree and rink, or meeting Santa while dangling above the city, posing for photos at Top of the Rock’s The Beam.
With so much going on, “Saturday Night Live’s” Michael Che gave Travel + Leisure a tried-and-true tip for the holiday season. “It’s pretty crowded,” Che said. “If you want to go into 30 Rock then, go straight through the subway station and avoid all the people.”
But of course, all things must come to an end. The lights will shine until mid-January before being taken down and milled into lumber that will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.
