How to watch the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting

This season’s Rockefeller Christmas tree has arrived in New York City and is just days away from lighting up Manhattan.

On Wednesday, December 4, all 50,000 multi-colored LED lights of the giant spruce tree, which stands 74 feet tall and 43 feet wide, will be illuminated from Rockefeller Plaza as part of the annual holiday celebration.

Kelly Clarkson is back for another year and announced that she will be hosting “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” again this year, touting “the best music, star-studded surprises and of course the lighting of the world-famous Christmas tree.” particularly.”

So how can you watch the iconic tree lighting at Rockefeller Center? Here’s what you should know, whether you’re in New York City or anywhere in the country.

How and where to watch the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting

For those in New York City who would like to see the lighting in person, the special event will take place at the tree above the rink at Rockefeller Center between 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues.

Although the area surrounding Rockefeller Center is open to the public, spectators can purchase tickets to have their photo taken with the tree in the background. VIP tickets are also available for a seat closer to the tree.

For those watching from home, the tree lighting will air as part of the two-hour live show “Christmas at Rockefeller Center” on NBC and Peacock on December 4 at 8 p.m. ET. (Peacock is owned by TODAY.com’s parent company, NBCUniversal.)

Which artists will perform at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting?

In addition to serving as host alongside TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin, Kelly Clarkson will also take the stage for an appearance.

The festive evening will also feature performances from Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, country duo Dan + Shay, Broadway star Megan Hilty, Thalia, known as the Queen of Latin Pop, and more, according to a statement from NBC.

And what would Rockefeller Center be without the Radio City Rockettes? The popular and impressive dance troupe will also be on hand to deliver a performance full of high kicks and lots of Christmas cheer.

When is the Rockefeller Christmas tree lit each day?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.

On Christmas Eve the tree is lit for a full 24 hours, while on New Year’s Eve the spruce tree is lit from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m

How long will the Rockefeller Christmas tree last?

Rockefeller’s Christmas tree will be open to the public until mid-January 2025. After the tree is cut down, it is milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.

What is the significance of the Rockefeller Christmas tree?

According to the Rockefeller Center website, the first Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was erected in December 1931, when workers at the time and their families decorated a 20-foot-tall balsam fir tree.

The first tree lighting took place in December 1933 and became an annual tradition from that point on.

In December 1936, two trees were erected at Rockefeller Center, the same year the ice skating rink opened on the Plaza.

During the 1950s and 1960s the tree became increasingly elaborate, requiring additional workers to decorate the ever-larger tree.

In December 1999, the largest tree in Rockefeller Center’s history graced the plaza, towering 100 feet above Killingworth, Connecticut.

The first 550-pound star, intricately designed with Swarovski crystals, adorned the top of the tree in 2004, and this year a three-dimensional, 900-pound Swarovski star will grace the tree.

What’s special about this year’s tree?

The 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which weighs about 11 tons and is about 70 years old, was donated by Earl Albert of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Earl Albert and his late wife, Leslie, planted the tree in 1967. In an interview in early November, Earl Albert said he wanted their tree to serve as the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree so he could honor his wife’s memory.

Erik Pauze, Rockefeller Center’s chief gardener, said in an interview that he has been thinking about this year’s tree for more than four years.

“The process (for this year’s tree) began in July 2020. I was coming from gas station after an overnight tree hunt. As I was driving down the road, I saw the beautiful spruce tree and it was right in front of me,” Pauze said in the interview. “I knocked on the door and met Earl Albert. I asked if he would one day consider donating the tree to Rockefeller Center. His immediate answer was yes.”

Once the tree was selected, Pauze made sure to pay close attention to the massive spruce’s care.

“This spring I decided to call Earl and ask if I could start feeding and watering,” he said. “I came up to feed the tree quite often, and every time I got out of the car I smiled and knew it was the right one for Rockefeller Center.”

After the tree’s arrival at Rockefeller Plaza on November 9, the Albert family said in a statement to TODAY.com on November 13 that Earl had recently suffered a stroke but was still “looking forward to the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and hard.” work.” to be able to participate in person.”

This article was originally published on TODAY.com