Anyone who has traveled to New York City during the holidays has undoubtedly seen the massive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. The history of the Rockefeller Christmas tree is rooted in the Great Depression. From its humble beginnings, it has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Christmas season around the globe. The lighting ceremony for this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree will be held on November 29, 2023.
In 1931, workers who were constructing the Rockefeller Center building – and who were grateful to have jobs during the Great Depression – pitched in their own money and bought a 20-foot Christmas tree, which they installed at the Rockefeller Center job site and decorated with handmade decorations. The Rockefeller Christmas tree became an annual tradition in 1933, shortly after construction on the first building in the Rockefeller complex was complete. Since 1933, the lighting of the tree has become a nationally televised event, and the tree has made its way into America’s cultural and cinematic history.
The McGinley family of Vestal, New York, donated this year’s Rockefeller Christmas tree, an 80-foot Norway Spruce. The Norway spruce was found by Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, Erik Pauze, who noticed the tree towering over Matt and Jackie McGinley’s driveway in their small upstate New York town. The tree has a 43-foot diameter and weighs 12 tons. It was cut down in Vestal, New York, on November 9, 2023, and placed on a large flatbed truck, transporting it to the Rockefeller Center site in New York City. Installing the massive tree and the massive star on top of the tree is a complex operation involving giant cranes managed by highly experienced workers. The tree will be decorated with 50,000 multicolored lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. The McGinleys decided to donate their tree in hopes that it would bring joy to others during the holiday season.
”This is not about us, but it’s about being of service to other people, giving them that chance to go and make memories by the tree,” said Matt McGinley.
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Once the tree arrives in New York City, daytime talk show host and pop star Kelly Clarkson will host a two-hour live show to light the tree, complete with performances and celebrity cameos. Today’s shows host Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin will also join her. Other performers will join host Kelly Clarkson throughout the evening, including Chloe Bailey, Cher, David Foster, and many others. In addition, the famous Radio City Rockettes will also be performing during the show. After the ceremony, the tree will be viewable at Rockefeller Center between West 49th and 50th Streets and Fith and Sixth Avenue in New York City. The tree will be lit daily from 5 am to midnight until January 13th.
Today, an estimated 125 million people visit the Rockefeller Center Chrismas Tree every year, making it one of the most popular attractions during the holidays. Not only does the Rockefeller Christmas Tree bring joy to many during the holiday season, but it also signifies our nation’s humble beginnings. If not for the construction workers during the Great Depression who contributed their hard-earned money, this uplifting and unifying Christmas tradition may not exist today.
