Will You Be Tuning in for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting This Year?
Now that we're wondering just how many times we can eat Thanksgiving leftovers, it's time to put our sole attention onto the next major event: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting! The New York City-based event is basically a national treasure, and just may be the unofficial (but totally official to us) transition to Christmas—and it's happening so soon!
The iconic tree has been a Christmas tradition since the 1930’s, and it seems to get bigger and better each year. This year's tree is an 80-foot tall Norway Spruce (a bit shorter than last year). It’s about 43-feet-wide and weighs over 12 tons, according to Rockefeller Center website. The massive tree will be the star of the annual tree lighting—where it’s decked out with thousands of colorful Christmas lights.
But where did the tree come from and how can you tune in to the tree lighting ceremony? Read on for everything you need to know about this year's Rockefeller Christmas Tree, including the town it came from and how it’s picked.
How to watch the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting in 2023?
If you can't make it to NYC to watch the lighting in person, you can bring the Christmas magic right to your living room with the televised event—and this year is extra special as we celebrate the 91st lighting ceremony!
Whether you tune in for the Christmas music or just the excitement of watching the tree get lit up, watching the “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special is all part of the holiday fun. The broadcast will air on NBC on Wednesday, November 29 at 8 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. CT. It's set to run until around 10 p.m. ET with the actual lighting of the 50,000 multi-colored lights and 900-pound Swarovski star topper happening a few minutes before 10 p.m. ET this year.
The Rockefeller Center 2023 Christmas Tree is finally here. Now to get ready for the Tree Lighting Ceremony 🎄 pic.twitter.com/3vbepLCEGO
— Rockefeller Center (@rockcenternyc) November 11, 2023
This year, the live show will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson, with commentary by TODAY anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker.
Who's performing at the 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony?
Kelly Clarkson isn't just hosting, but she'll also be one of the lead performers! (Honestly, we're just grateful to be hearing her powerhouse of a voice this holiday!)
We can also expect performances and appearances from some of this year's most notable celebs! The list includes: Cher, Chloe Bailey, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, Adam Blackstone, Seth MacFarlane, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Barry Manilow, Carly Pearce, Manuel Turizo and more.
Oh, and you can bet the Radio City Rockettes will be there to dazzle things up!
What are the in-person Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree viewing hours?
According to the Rockefeller Center's website, the tree will be lit every day (after November 29) from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, on Christmas Day, the tree is lit for a full 24 hours (!!!)—and from from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. And to see the entire history of Rockefeller Center's annual Christmas Tree Lighting through photos, head to their website for more.
Where did this year's Rockefeller Christmas Tree come from and who picks it?
This year's tree is from the town Vestal in upstate New York! Erik Pauze, the head gardener for Rockefeller Center, has been assigned the important task of picking the Rockefeller Christmas tree year after year. In an interview conducted by Rockefeller Center, Pauze spoke about how he got the prominent gig he has now. "I’ve loved planting and landscaping since I was really young, and I’ve done nothing else," Pauze said. "I started as a summer helper at Rockefeller Center when I was in college in 1988, then came back after school and just started to take on more and more responsibility."
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