Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting | NY Event

The Christmas season in the city begins with NYC Events like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.

About Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting:
The history of this favorite of holiday NYC Events has its foundations in the resilience of America that is as old as the foundation of 30 Rockefeller Plaza herself. Groundbreaking on 30 Rock began in 1931, during the Great Depression. It was amid the holiday season of 1931, and workers were clearing the site on 6th Avenue in Midtown where the then-named RCA Building would stand. In spite of being in the middle of the Depression and needing every cent they made, the workers put some money together and bought a 20-foot balsam fir for the work site and placed it in the area where the workers collected their paychecks.

On December 24th, 1931, these blue collar heroes, some of whom can be seen in the famous photograph “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” where the workers were photographed having lunch while balanced precariously on a beam at the 69th floor, were lined up beneath the tree to collect their holiday checks when the workers began to decorate the tree with whatever they had, which during the Depression was not much. According to one historian, the tree’s decorations included blasting caps, gum wrappers, empty cans - anything the men may have had in their pockets, or was lying on the ground. On that Christmas Eve, even though there was no tree in 1932, began a beloved holiday institution in New York City that is in its 83rd year.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting has persevered through some of our country’s darkest hours. In 1942, during World War II, all resources went to the war effort, so in place of one towering tree, three smaller ones were placed on the plaza and decorated, one red, one white and one blue. In the wake of 9/11 in 2001, the single tree was again adorned in red, white and blue. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is truly an unwavering American institution. Since it was first televised in 1951, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting became a national affair that continues to gather families around their televisions to usher in the Christmas season.

This year’s NY Event takes place on November 30th.  In addition to the tree lighting, those who attend will enjoy live performance from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This family-friendly NYC Event is free and open to the public. Hear carolers sing in the season and give the kids a chance to let Santa know what they hope to find under the tree this year. Show up early to get a great spot for watching the live performances and then stroll to a nearby NYC Restaurant for a cup of hot chocolate.