The giant tree at Rockefeller Center finally arrived in New York on November 9, officially marking the start of Christmas festivities in the city.
Christmas has arrived in New York! Starting point of the winter season in the United States, the famous giant fir tree at Rockefeller Center was unfurled on November 9, 2024.
This essential symbol of the season is installed every year from mid-November and is the subject of a spectacular ceremony for its first illumination, an event which attracts thousands of visitors.
An iconic symbol of Christmas
The story of the tree began in 1931, during the Great Depression, when workers at Rockefeller Center installed a modest tree to brighten up the construction site. This first tree, decorated with garlands made of paper and cans, was supposed to bring a little joy in these difficult times.
In 1933, the official tree lighting took place for the first time, and since then, the event has become an iconic tradition of the Christmas season in New York.
Each year, the tree is carefully selected. According to the Rockefeller Center, it is Erik Pauze, the head gardener, who chooses a tree that meets specific size and shape criteria.
In 2024, a majestic Norwegian spruce from Massachusetts was chosen. It would weigh more than 11 tonnes and measure more than 20 meters. This exceptional tree, cut down on November 7, made its entrance into Manhattan on November 9, a moment eagerly awaited by New Yorkers.
A ceremony planned to celebrate its illumination
Its installation is a spectacle in itself: the tree is carefully unloaded and placed in front of Rockefeller Center, attracting an enthusiastic crowd. Once in place, it is decorated with nearly 50,000 LED lights and crowned by the iconic Swarovski star, designed by Daniel Libeskind, which weighs more than 400 kg and sparkles with nearly 3 million crystals.
The grand lighting of the tree will take place on December 4, 2024, in the presence of many personalities. This event, broadcast live, is an opportunity to discover the magic of Christmas in New York.
The tree will shine every day from 6 a.m. to midnight, and will be lit for 24 hours on December 25 and until 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve. A spectacle not to be missed.
