The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is set to arrive in Manhattan for its placement at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. According to NBC New York, the 75-year-old, 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce, weighing 11 tons, will be transported from its East Greenbush location tomorrow.
The 75-foot Norway Spruce will be transported approximately 130 miles on a flatbed truck, arriving in Manhattan on Saturday. A family-friendly "Meet the Tree" event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the same day, featuring Peanuts-themed activities in reference to "A Charlie Brown Christmas," as reported by Gothamist. The event is free, though advance registration is encouraged.
Decorating this year’s Christmas tree will begin shortly after it is secured in its iconic stand, with over 50,000 multi-colored LEDs strung along approximately 5 miles of wire. Judy Russ, whose family is donating the tree, told NBC New York, "I’m excited to make more cherished memories with my family and childhood friends as it becomes the world’s Christmas tree."
The tree will be topped with a 9-foot, 900-pound Swarovski star featuring 3 million crystals, ahead of the lighting ceremony scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 3. The event will be broadcast live on NBC, Peacock, and all streaming platforms for NBC 4 New York. For the first time this year, guests with a Holiday Top of the Rock ticket will have access to a special viewing area of the tree while heading to the observation deck between Dec. 4 and Jan. 10, as per Gothamist.
The festivities will continue until mid-January 2026, when the Christmas tree is taken down. In keeping with sustainability practices, the tree will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity to support their efforts in building affordable housing.
