This Year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Is a 79-Foot Norway Spruce from Maryland

Madeline Buiano
·2 min read

To many, the holiday season hasn't officially begun until the thousands of lights adorning the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree are switched on. Passersby from all over gather to see the historic display which has been a New York City tradition since 1931. The iconic tree has been making headlines for years—including in 2020 when a stowaway owl was found tucked in its branches. This year, the hallmark of the holiday season will travel to the Empire State by way of Maryland, marking the first time a tree from that state has ever been used in Rockefeller Center.

Since the tree's inception 90 years ago, it's usually been harvested in either New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania for display, but tannenbaums have been chosen from as far as Ohio, Vermont, and even Canada. This year's tree—which is of the Norway Spruce variety—was donated by a family residing in Elkton, Maryland. The legendary Christmas tree will be cut down on November 11 and transported about 140 miles to New York City. Standing at 79-feet tall, the lush green beauty is set to arrive by truck at Rockefeller Center on Saturday, November 13.

rockefeller christmas tree lit up at night
rockefeller christmas tree lit up at night

Martin Leitch / Getty Images

Related: 16 of the Most Magical Christmas Light Displays Around the Country

Just as it has been for decades, the tree will stand in the plaza dressed with holiday décor, 50,000 twinkling lights, and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. The lighting ceremony is scheduled to take place on December 1st and the tree will stay in New York City until January 16, 2022. City goers can admire the historical display from the street, or opt to ice skate directly beneath its lights on The Rink at Rockefeller Center—one of the city's quintessential holiday activities.