Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – 2023 Guide

Where is the Rockefeller Center? Christmas Tree Address

The Rockefeller Center is located in Midtown Manhattan. Geographically, it is between 5th and 6th Avenues and 48th and 51st Streets.

The exact address is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112

Use this GOOGLE MAP link to get directions to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The most famous points of interest near Rockefeller Center are St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Avenue and Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue.

If you are unfamiliar with NYC, below the best ways to get there from some key points in Manhattan.

How to get to the Rockefeller Center from Times Square?

Starting point: Times Square’s Red Steps

READ ALSO > Times Square NYC BLOG

First, walk on 7th Avenue heading north. Feeling lost about north and south? Check the number of streets: increasing numbers mean you are going north, whereas ecreasing numbers mean you are going south.

When you reach the intersection between 7^th Avenue and 50th Street, turn right.

Then walk on 50th Street from 7th Avenue to 6th Avenue.

At the intersection of 6th Avenue and 50th Street you will see Radio City Music Hall, one of the most iconic theaters in NYC. Continue walking on the 50^th Street.

Hence, halfway down the block, between 6th and 5th Avenues, after walking past the entrance to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, you will be in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

How to get to the Rockefeller Center from Bryant Park?

Starting Point: Bryant Park on 42^nd Street between 6^th and 5^th Avenue

READ ALSO > Bryant Park NYC BLOG

First, walk on the 42^nd Street direction 5^th Avenue. To make sure you are going in the right way, go in the opposite direction of the Times Square Lights.

After that, once you get to the intersection of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, go north. To ensure that you are going north, look at the number of streets: if it increases, it means you are going north. If it decreases, it means you are going south.

On 5th Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets, look left and you will see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Instead, on the right side of 5th Avenue you will see the beautiful Saks Light and Sound show.

READ ALSO > Rockefeller Center or Bryant Park: which Ice Skating Rink to choose?

How to get to the Rockefeller Center from the Plaza Hotel?

Starting Point: Entrance of the Plaza Hotel, at the intersection of 5^th Avenue and 59^th Street.

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First, walk direction south on the 5^th Avenue. If you want to be sure that you are going in the right direction, look at the number of streets: if it decreases, it means you are going south. If it decreases, it means you are going north.

St. Patrick Cathedral is at the intersection between 5^th Avenue and 51^st Street. Next, continue walking direction south on the 5^th Avenue for one more street and look at your right: you will see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in NYC and its amazing Christmas Lights.

How to get to the Rockefeller Center by Subway?

The nearest subway stop to the Rockefeller Center tree is the B/D/F/M lines. The stop is called 47th – 50th Rockefeller Center.

If you want to get more info about the NYC SUBWAY, we suggest you to read the dedicated section in our NYC BLOG.

A bit of History: The first Christmas Tree

The first Christmas tree was decorated at Rockefeller Center back in 1931. So 92 years ago!

Its history is truly beautiful and compelling. In 1931, workers excavating for Rockefeller Center set up the site’s first Christmas tree. The workers decorated a 20-foot balsam fir using wreaths made by their families and the tin foil ends of explosive caps. The site of the celebration was in the same area of the square where the tree is now raised each year.

READ ALSO > 3 Christmas trees in midtown manhattan you cant miss

How tall is the Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is usually a Norway Spruce and is between 69 and 100 feet tall. In meters, between 21 and 30 feet.

The 2022 Holiday Tree was 82 feet tall, so 25 meters.

How many lights are on the Rockefeller Center Holiday Tree

The tree is decorated with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights. Their wire is approximately 5 miles (8 km) long.