Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Tonight, With NBC Broadcast and Bitter Cold in Forecast

The tree will shine daily from 5 a.m. to midnight through early January, with lights on nonstop Christmas Eve.

Overview

  • NBC carries the live special Christmas in Rockefeller Center, with pre-show coverage from 7 p.m. ET locally, a national telecast from 8 p.m., and the lighting expected around 10 p.m.
  • Hosts and performers referenced in coverage include Reba McEntire, Natalie Pasquarella, David Ushery, Mario López, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin.
  • Public viewing is free at Center Plaza by The Rink between 49th–50th Streets and Fifth–Sixth Avenues, though space fills early with security screening in place.
  • Paid options include The Official Christmas Tree Photo from about $45 and the Rock Pass VIP: Holiday at over $300 with closer access and added experiences.
  • This year’s Norway spruce from the Russ family in East Greenbush stands about 75 feet tall and 11 tons, strung with more than 50,000 multicolor LEDs and topped by a Swarovski star set with roughly 3 million crystals; Dec. 31 hours run to 9 p.m.