Your NYC travel advisor
Your NYC travel advisor
The 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is the biggest event of the Christmas Season in New York City.
Thousands of people show up in front of Rockefeller Center to admire the Lighting Ceremony of the world-famous tree.
In this article I will tell you everything you need to know about the lighing ceremony. In particular I will cover the following topics:
– When is the lighting ceremony
– What time the tree is lit
– Where to get tickets for the ceremony
– What time to arrive to participate in the ceremony
– Where to stand to best admire the lighting
Before you read this article, if you haven’t already, check out my blog about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
In that article I cover everything you need to know about the tree, not just its lighting ceremony.
To read the Blog, click on the image below:
Also, if you are planning a trip to New York during the holiday season, I suggest you click on the image below where you will find ALL the articles I have written about Christmas in New York.
I talk about Christmas Trees, Skating Rinks, Christmas Markets, Lights and Decorations, Christmas Shows and much more.
Click on the image below to find out more
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be on November 29, 2023.
In fact, the ceremony is always the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day 2023 will be Thursday, November 23, 2023. The first Wednesday since Thanksgiving is November 29, 2023.
So get ready because the end of November 2023 is shaping up to be a great time to visit New York City.
Let me remind you of a few important dates:
– 21 November, 2023: Saks Fifth Avenue Light and Sound Show Opening Ceremony.
– 23 November, 2023: Thanksgiving Day Parade
– 24 November, 2023: Start of my Dyker Heigths & DUMBO tours.
– 28 November, 2023: Bryant Park Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
– 29 November, 2023: Wall Street Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
– 29 November, 2023: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be lit at exactly 9:57 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
The ceremony though starts around 7 p.m. and lasts about 3 hours.
During these 3 hours, high-caliber artists take turns on stage. Distinguished guests of the ceremony in the past have been: Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Tori Kelly, Sarah McLachlan, Dolly Parton, Jordan Smith, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and more!
It should be mentioned that among the performers who always participate in the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony are the beautiful and talented Rockettes.
The Rockettes are the dance troupe of the Christmas Spectacular Christmas show. This show is performed every year at Radio City Music Hall, New York’s most famous theater.
Radio City Music Hall is located on 6th Avenue, a very short walk from Rockefeller Center.
If you attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony be prepared to enjoy a beautiful show.
Attending the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is at completely free of charge.
As a result, no tickets need to be purchased.
Seats are assigned on a first come first served basis. However, to get a seat with a good view of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree you absolutely must arrive early.
READ ALSO > BEST FREE THINGS TO DO IN NYC
You cannot arrive at the last minute in front of Rockefeller Center and hope to be able to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
In fact, thousands of people attend the Ceremony every year, and at some point, because of the large turnout, the streets around the tree are closed to people.
The ceremony starts at 7 p.m., but to make sure you can see it, I recommend arriving no later than 3 p.m.
A lot of people arrive in front of the tree as early as lunchtime so they can get the best seats.
If you arrive by 5 or 6 o’clock and are lucky that the roads are not yet closed, you will still be a long way from the tree.
So, my advice is to arm yourself with a lot of patience and go in front of the tree at 2 p.m.
In order to view the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 29, 2023, I recommend that you stand either in front of the tree itself or on either side of it.
To get the best seats, as described in the paragraph above, you need to arrive early in the afternoon.
I have created a google map for you where you can cabire better in which areas I recommend you position yourself to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
