The Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center holds great significance for New York City. The custom of having it erected and decorated began in 1931. The tree, marking the inception of the holiday season, has been a source of excitement for visitors as they wait eagerly for it to be lit up.
According to NBC News, the Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit up on December 24 at 5 a.m. The lights remain on throughout the day until they are turned off at 12:01 a.m. on December 26.
The lights stay off for five hours before they are turned on again at 5 a.m. on December 26. So, if you visit the Rockefeller Center now, you will find the Christmas tree lit up with lights.
This year, the tree was brought to the place on November 9, 2024, from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is a Norway spruce tree with a height of 74 feet. The tree had to be carried in a flatbed truck, and workers and decorators then trimmed and decorated it after it was set up.
Interestingly, this year’s tree came from the Albert family. According to Today, the tree was planted in 1967 by the then-newlyweds Earl and Leslie. When asked about how he felt about the tree being chosen as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Earl said:
“Well, I consider it probably one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The newlyweds moved to the place in 1966 and planted the tree the next year. However, when it was initially planted, it was about a waist high.
The Center’s head gardener first spotted the Rockefeller Christmas Tree
The Today report mentioned that Albert’s family’s tree was first spotted by the center’s head gardener who then reached out to the family. Michael was surprised and thought it was a sign of divine intervention as Leslie passed away recently.
The Albert family said the tree was Leslie’s handiwork. Speaking of what Leslie would have thought about the tree being chosen for the Rockefeller Center, Earl said:
“I think she is thrilled.”
Michael also said:
“Honestly, it’s a tribute to my mom. It’s a new beginning for the tree. It’s a new beginning for our family.”
Earl mentioned decorating the tree when it was small but they couldn’t decorate it anymore after it grew in height. His son Michael and their children spent a great deal of time with the tree. The kids also played in a sandbox shaded by the Norway Spruce’s branches.
The family also received a card from the family who donated the 2023 tree. The message read that they would never forget when the tree was lit up and the crowd roared, making it an overwhelming emotion. Earl said he would think of Leslie while imagining the moment of joy as she enjoyed trees and Christmas.
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This year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree has been decorated with over 50,000 LED lights with a three-dimensional Swarovski star adorned on its top. The tree lighting ceremony was held on December 4, 2024.
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