Yes. It’s that time of the year again. With a whiff of winter and the smell of hot chocolate, it is almost Christmas. Adoring fans and tourists lined up on the sidewalks of New York City near the Rockefeller Centre as they welcomed the 75-foot Christmas Tree. Weighing 11 tons and 45 feet wide, this magnificent fir has finally arrived.
Nearly a century old, this year’s tree was donated by the Russ family in upstate New York. Growing outside their home for 75 years in East Greenbush, it is set to light up the city with its charm. This annual practice involves hours of effort, using cranes and fixtures to make the tree upright. But it all dates back to 1931. Here’s why the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree is a historic annual tradition.
History of the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree
Started in 1931 during the Great Depression, the first tree was about 20 feet high. The balsam fir was decorated by Italian-American construction workers at the Rockefeller Centre. The workers, who were facing an extremely poor time, pooled their money and bought the tree to uplift their spirits. They then decorated it with handmade garlands, strings of cranberries, paper, and even tin cans made by their families. This first event was an informal celebration, but it set the foundation for the famous tradition that continues today.
In 1933, Rockefeller Centre officially made the Christmas tree a holiday tradition by lighting a 50-foot tree in the plaza. A skating rink below the tree was opened in 1936, extending the celebrations in size, grandeur, and attendance. Over the years, the size of the tree has only grown bigger, but it should be at least 50 years old and 20 metres tall. Today, the star at the top is a 9.5-foot-wide Swarovski crystal.
Significance of the Christmas Tree
Each year, the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree is donated from several regions such as New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Last year, it was donated by Earl Albert to honour the memory of his late wife, Leslie. Symbolising hope, festive spirit, and community, it is the beginning of Christmas celebrations
Rockefeller Christmas Tree 2025
This year, Judy Russ donated the tree in memory of her late husband, Dan. He tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 32. Judy had brought their seven-year-old child to the festivities last year and wanted to bring Dan’s memory to the world this year. This year’s tree was planted by Dan’s great-grandparents approximately 75 years ago. With the annual lighting ceremony scheduled by December 3, it will house over 50,000 lights.
The Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree has become one of the world’s most iconic holiday symbols. What began as a gesture of bringing some hope into the world also shines bright as a ray of optimism for those who donate it.
