Rockefeller Center is the heart of the holidays in New York City. The moment someone greets me with Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays I envision the beautiful, bright tree in the center of the plaza. 2019 will be the 87th annual lighting of the tree in Roc Center.

If you live in New York City you can’t help but smile as you walk by Rockefeller Center.  Everyone is always rushing around the city but walking by the tree seems to slow time down.  You can’t help but stare up in awe and for a special moment feel like a tourist in your own city.  Forget the skyscrapers, we have a giant, amazing tree! Its amazing how The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center seems to get bigger and brighter each year.

Rockefeller Center Tree- The History:

The original tree was put up on Christmas Eve 1931 during the great depression. Construction workers were building the soon- to be “Rockefeller Center.”  That afternoon to celebrate the season they put up a tree and decorated it with paper, cranberries and tin cans. The men had no idea it would become a long-standing tradition starting in 1933.  I love that these men put up a tree in appreciation of their work site. Work was hard to come by at the time and I can’t stop thinking about how fortunate they must have felt to have paying jobs.

2019 Rockefeller Center Tree:

I was thrilled to experience a true New York City moment last month. My son and I happened to walk through “Roc Center” as the tree was delivered on 11/9/19. We were heading to FAO Schwarz to go to a trunk show for a favorite book of ours

This year’s spectacular tree is a 77-foot tall, 12-ton Norway Spruce, chosen from the property of Florida, New York resident Carolyn Schultz. Once fully decorated, the glorious tree will boast 50,000 LED lights and spectacular Swarovski Star.

The 87th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center is on Dec. 4, 2019. If you’re in New York City, you can watch the lighting in person for free on a first come first served basis. The NBC broadcast entertainment starts at 8:00 PM and the tree is lit between 9:30-10:00 PM.

If you have never visited the tree in person, put it on your bucket list.  It’s larger than life! It magically turns you right back into a KID and fills your heart with all the wonders of the season

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!