Rockefeller Center Archives

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lights up in New York City

NEW YORK (AP) — Fifty-thousand multi-colored lights are shining on Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas tree, with crowds gathering to witness the annual New York City tradition. The giant Norway spruce, which this year hails from a tiny Massachusetts town, is also topped with a Swarovski star crown featuring 3 million crystals. The annual ceremony, held Wednesday night, came hours after a gunman killed the CEO of United Healthcare about five blocks away. Security was tight at the tree-lighting ceremony and on the subway. The 74-foot-high tree was cut down last month in West Stockbridge and trucked to Center Plaza last month. It was originally spotted by the Rockefeller Center’s head gardener in 2020. Now lighted, it will be on display until mid-January.… Continue Reading

Haul out the holly! Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in New York City

NEW YORK (AP) — The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in New York City, signaling the start of the holiday season in the Big Apple. The 74-foot Norway spruce was driven into Manhattan’s Center Plaza and hoisted in place by a crane. It will take 5 miles of light strands with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED bulbs to wrap the tree. A Swarovski star crown sparkling with 3 million crystals will top it. The towering conifer was donated by a family in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It was cut down Thursday morning and loaded onto a flatbed truck for the 140-mile trip. The lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 4.… Continue Reading

A green giant: This year’s 74-foot Rockefeller Christmas tree is en route from Massachusetts

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A giant Norway spruce that will serve as this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree is en route to New York City from its tiny Massachusetts hometown. The 74-foot-high conifer from West Stockbridge was cut down on Thursday and hoisted onto a flatbed truck by crane. It will be erected in midtown Manhattan on Saturday. People from across the country flocked to West Stockbridge to see the spruce, the first Rockefeller Christmas tree to hail from Massachusetts since 1959. The tree will be draped with 50,000 multi-colored lights and be topped by a Swarovski star. Its scheduled Dec. 4 lighting will be broadcast live on TV.… Continue Reading