Best Christmas Trees in NYC (2025) + Lighting Dates, Insider Guide, and Map🎄✨

[Originally posted in 2023 and updated for 2025.]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…! Dazzling lights, magical window displays, holidays songs everywhere, sparkling trees on every corner, and the smell of roasted chestnuts will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a movie 😍

From iconic landmarks to hidden courtyards, I’ve rounded up the best Christmas trees in NYC (2025), complete with lighting dates, insider photo spots, and the most festive displays you won’t want to miss.

There’s so much more to see in New York City at Christmas beyond the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Ready to soak in the holiday spirit? Here’s where to go, when to go, and how to capture NYC’s brightest moments.

🌟 Since moving to New York City in 2007, I’ve been completely immersed in the magic of Christmas in NYC. In 2011, I created the first version of this guide on my Italian blog to help others experience the city’s full holiday wonder, and over the years, I’ve updated it to include all the iconic NYC trees, hidden gems, and the most enchanting hotels across the city.

🎄 Most Christmas trees in NYC are lit after Thanksgiving, glowing daily from around 6 AM to midnight, and remain illuminated until early January.

💡 PRO TIP: Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and capture the most Instagrammable Christmas photos. You can even have your own personal tree-lighting moment at Rockefeller Center around 5 AM, when the lights first switch on. It’s such an unforgettable NYC experience!

Let’s dive into the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to NYC’s holiday trees (2025) 🎅

✨ Before diving into the best NYC Christmas Tree guide, here are my go-to tools to plan your NYC trip effortlessly:

Disclosure: While I may receive commissions at no extra cost to you, I only recommend experiences and brands I genuinely love. Click here to read my editorial guidelines. Thank you so much for supporting my work and helping me keep sharing insider tips like this one! 💜

Best Christmas Trees in NYC Map – 2025 Holiday Edition (by VivereNewYork)

🎄✨ To make your trip planning easier, I’ve created a custom Google Map featuring all the best Christmas trees and displays in NYC — from Rockefeller Center to Hudson Yards and The Plaza.
You can open it directly in your phone’s Google Maps app to save it for your holiday adventure!

MOST ICONIC NYC CHRISTMAS TREES – Listed by Lighting Dates/Times 🌟

Every year, New York City transforms into a winter wonderland, and it all begins the moment the trees light up! Here’s your ultimate insider list of the most iconic NYC Christmas trees in 2025 organized by their lighting dates and times, so you can plan your most magical holiday walks around the city.

1. Radio City Music Hall

🗓️ Lighting Date: Early November 2025
📍 Location: Front entrance of Radio City Music Hall, 1260 6th Ave, New York – between 50th and 51st Streets

The Christmas tree atop Radio City Music Hall’s marquee is usually the first one to be lit every season, marking the official start of New York’s holiday magic. Featured in countless films, including Home Alone 2 — it’s one of those “you’re really in NYC” moments that never lose their charm.

Around the same time, the iconic Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes kicks off its 2025 season (🎟 November 6, 2025 – January 5, 2026). Book your tickets though the above link to support my work at NO extra cost, with Viator’s lowest price guarantee: if you find it cheaper online within 48 hours, they’ll refund the difference! 😊

After snapping photos, stroll down Sixth Avenue from 47th to 53rd Streets to see the giant red ornaments and candy canes: a classic that never gets old.

2. The Avenue of the Americas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Mid November 2025
📍 Location: Sunken Plaza, 1221 Avenue of the Americas – between 48th & 49th Streets, Midtown Manhattan

The Avenue of the Americas Christmas Tree stands tall in the plaza of 1221 6th Avenue, glowing with nearly 49,000 LED lights that wrap its 36-foot frame and form a luminous tunnel you can actually walk through. Perfect for a whimsical photo-op! 📸

✨Insider Tip: Visit right after sunset when the lights first turn on, and stand beneath the illuminated archway for a magical perspective.

3. Tavern on the Green Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: December 2, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.
📍 Location: Tavern on the Green, Central Park West & W 67th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan

This one feels like a quiet holiday secret that locals only know. The tree lighting ceremony at Tavern on the Green takes place under the canopy of Central Park’s trees, with carolers, cozy cookies… such a fairytale moment.

The exact 2025 date is still TBA, and since in 2024 the event was held on December 2 at 5:30 PM, you can expect a similar date.

✨ Insider Tip: Take a peaceful stroll into Central Park before the ceremony and head behind the restaurant. You’ll catch the glow from a quiet vantage point away from the crowds, just as the lights go on.

4. Bryant Park Winter Village Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Bryant Park, 42nd Street & 6th Avenue, Midtown Manhattan

The Bryant Park Winter Village Christmas Tree lighting is one of the most festive nights in New York: a blend of sparkle, music, and pure holiday joy!!!

The stunning 55-foot Norway spruce is a centerpiece of Bryant Park’s Winter Village, surrounded by boutique holiday shops and NYC’s BEST ice skating rink (FREE admission when you bring your own skates!). ⛸️

The lighting ceremony and a stunning!

The official Tree Lighting Show returns on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6 PM. It’s an hour-long spectacle, featuring Broadway performances, ice skating under the stars, Santa’s appearance, and a dazzling finale with fireworks that light up Midtown. It’s one of the best free holiday events in the city: family-friendly, romantic, and unforgettable.

✨ Insider Tip:  Arrive early (by 4 PM) to grab a spot near the rink, then linger after the show, when the reflections on the ice make for the most magical photos.

5. South Street Seaport Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 6 – 8 PM (Tree Lighting at 7 PM)
📍 Location: Corner of Water and Fulton Streets, Seaport District, Lower Manhattan

Festive photo opps. Live music. Hot toddies and gingerbread. 🍪✨ These are just some of the ingredients for one of NYC’s coziest holiday nights out, the Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at the Seaport.

Bundle up and join locals and visitors alike for this annual tradition on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 6 PM to 8 PM. The evening features live performances by Dueling Pianos, Brooklyn Drumline, and The Doo Wop Project, plus festive drinks and treats from Casamigos, Heineken, Dunkin’ Donuts, and New York-Presbyterian.

The celebration culminates at 7 PM with the dazzling Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by a cheerful meet-and-greet with Santa, a favorite moment for families and photo lovers..

✨ Insider Tip: Don’t rush home after the countdown! Explore the nearby Tin Building, Mure + Grand, Maum Market, Lawn Club, and Willet’s. They’ll all be open for holiday shopping, seasonal bites, and cozy post-ceremony vibes.

⛸️ Last year, at the Pier 17 rooftop, they opened the Ice Rink at the Seaport, complete with breathtaking views of the Brooklyn Bridge and an over-the-top holiday pop-up by The Dead Rabbit… Hopefully it’s returning this year!

6. Madison Square Park Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: December 9, 2025, from 4:30-5:30 PM
📍 Location: Madison Square Park, 23rd Street & 5th Avenue, Flatiron District, Manhattan

Did you know that Madison Square Park’s Christmas Tree was the first public holiday tree in the U.S., illuminated by 3,500 electric lights back in 1912? It’s perfect for a quieter, more intimate holiday vibe.

Each December, the park glows with a super charming tree lighting up beneath the Flatiron Building and the Manhattan skyline. The ceremony typically happens in early December, with music, and steaming hot cocoa filling the air.

✨ Insider Tip: Go around golden hour; the tree with the Flatiron in the background makes one of NYC’s most timeless holiday photos. Then pop into Eataly Flatiron right across the street for a decadent hot chocolate at Lavazza Bar – it’s one of my favorites! ☕️🎄

7. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Location: Rockefeller Plaza, between West 49th & 50th Streets, Midtown Manhattan

Let’s be honest… It’s not Christmas in New York until the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lights up the city 😎 This world-famous tradition draws visitors from all over the world and has become the symbol of the holidays in NYC.

Did you know the first unofficial tree here was set up by construction workers during the Great Depression in 1931? The “official” tradition began itwo years later, in 1933, and since then, it’s become one of New York’s most beloved holiday rituals.

The 2025 Rockefeller Center tree was cut down in East Greenbush, New York, on November 6, and arrived at Rockefeller Plaza on last night, November 7, 2025… the most magical time of the year has officially begun.

The 2025 lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 3, featuring live performances and that unforgettable moment when more than 50,000 LED lights illuminate the 80-foot Norway spruce beneath the Swarovski star.

✨ Insider Tip: Skip the massive crowds and watch the show on TV, then go any other day after the official ceremony: the lights turn on every morning at 5 AM, so you can enjoy your own private “tree lighting” moment before the city wakes up 😎

8. Wall Street / New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2025 – from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM
📍 Location: New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, Financial District, Lower Manhattan

It’s one of NYC’s most historic holiday moments, and one that many visitors overlook. The New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree Lighting tradition dates back to 1923, making it one of the city’s oldest and most meaningful celebrations 🎄✨

Set against the grandeur of the New York Stock Exchange façade, the tree glows with thousands of colorful lights and ornaments, perfectly complemented by the American flag draped across the building. The event features live performances, local choirs, and holiday cheer filling the cobblestone streets of Wall Street.

✨ Insider Tip:  Arrive around 4:30 PM to see the performers and catch the lighting countdown before the after-work crowd arrives. Then take a short walk to the Charging Bull or grab a festive drink at Stone Street, it’s one of Lower Manhattan’s most charming spots during the holidays.

9. The Floating Christmas Tree in Central Park

🗓️ Lighting Date: December 4, 2025, from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: The Harlem Meer, near the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park North (110th Street & 5th Avenue)

One of NYC’s most enchanting (and often overlooked) holiday traditions. The Floating Christmas Tree in Central Park shines on the calm waters of the Harlem Meer, reflecting the city’s lights like a scene from a winter fairytale.

The annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place beside the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, with carolers, hot chocolate, and visits from Santa, all set against the peaceful backdrop of Central Park North. It’s one of those cozy, heartwarming events that only locals know.

✨ Insider Tip: Take a stroll around Central Park and arrive at the Harlem Meer just before sunset. Watching the tree’s reflection come alive on the water as the sky turns gold and pink is pure magic!

10. Washington Square Park Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Early December, 2025, usually at 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Washington Square Park, beneath the Washington Square Arch, Greenwich Village, Manhattan

This elegant tree is beautifully framed beneath the iconic Washington Square Arch, with the Empire State Building twinkling in the background.

The Washington Square Park Christmas Tree is usually lit from 4pm to 1am throughout December, and it’s one of the city’s most beloved traditions, especially for locals who crave that old New York holiday feeling.

Experience the beautiful caroling before the tree lighting – lyrics will be provided! This year marks the 101st anniversary of this beloved neighborhood tradition.

✨ Insider Tip: Miss the lighting ceremony? Come back on Christmas Eve at 5 PM for another round of caroling, one of NYC’s most heartwarming holiday traditions.

INDOOR TREES YOU CAN’T MISS

When the temperatures drop, New York keeps the holiday spirit glowing indoors. From grand hotel lobbies to world-famous museums, these indoor Christmas trees are pure magic, each with its own story, style, and wow factor. ✨ Here are the indoor trees you absolutely can’t miss in NYC this season.

1. New York Public Library (NYPL) Christmas Tree

🗓️ Lighting Date: Mid-November 2025 (exact date TBA. In 2024, it was November 20)
📍 Location: New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 Fifth Avenue & 42nd Street, Midtown Manhattan

Step inside one of NYC’s most iconic landmarks, and you’ll find one of its most beautiful indoor Christmas trees. ❣️ The New York Public Library’s tree is located in Astor Hall, glowing beneath marble arches and chandeliers. A mix of quiet grandeur and old-world charm that feels straight out of a Christmas classic.

✨ Insider Tip: Visit in the morning for fewer crowds, then explore the Map Division or the Rose Main Reading Room for that “movie scene” moment. And don’t miss the library lions, Patience and Fortitude, who look extra majestic dressed in their holiday wreaths! 🦁

2. Brookfield Place Winter Garden – Luminaries ✨

🗓️ Lighting Dates: November 24, 2025 – January 1, 2026
📍 Location: Brookfield Place Winter Garden, 230 Vesey Street, Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan

Step into the stunning Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, where the holiday season comes alive beneath the mesmerizing Luminaries installation — a glowing canopy of hundreds of suspended lanterns, and beautifully decorated holiday trees. ✨

This interactive light display transforms the space into a dreamlike experience, filling the glass atrium with color and warmth. Make a wish at the touchless Wishing Stations, and watch your wish light up the canopy! For every wish made, Brookfield Place donates $1 to local charities (up to $25,000), spreading even more holiday cheer throughout the city. 🎁❤️

✨ Insider Tip: Snap a selfie with Santa in a tropical-themed setting during the Holiday Under the Palms event, a playful, sun-soaked twist on the classic NYC Christmas scene.

3. The Tree at Swarovski’s 5th Avenue Flagship

🗓️ Lighting Date: Mid-November 2025 (exact date TBA. In 2024, it was November 16)
📍 Location: Swarovski Flagship Store, 680 Fifth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan

Enter the world of sparkle ✨ at the Swarovski Flagship on Fifth Avenue, Swarovski’s largest store worldwide.

Designed in soft pastel pinks, greens, yellows, and creams, the space feels like stepping into a luxurious jewelry box. 💎 The Swarovski Christmas Tree rises beside the store’s staircase, a masterpiece shimmering with crystal-covered ornaments, glittering décor, and limited-edition holiday pieces perfect for gifting or simply soaking up the festive ambiance.

Last year, it became the centerpiece of the store’s “Wonder of the Season” celebration, and a must-see stop for anyone strolling along Fifth Avenue’s luxury stretch: dazzling, intimate, and utterly New York.

✨  Insider Tip: Visit in the early morning to enjoy the sparkle without the crowds; it’s the best time to feel like you have the magic all to yourself.

4. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Angel Tree and Nativity

🗓️ Display Dates: Late November 2025 – Early January 2026
📍 Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gallery 305, Medieval Sculpture Hall, 1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side

Wander through the quiet halls of the Met, where art, history, and the holiday spirit intertwine.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Angel Tree is a true work of art, featuring handcrafted Neapolitan Baroque angels and surrounded by an elaborate 18th-century Nativity scene.

The display, known as the Neapolitan Baroque Crèche, is made with over 200 beautifully detailed figures (shepherds, villagers, animals, and the Holy Family) set against a landscape that evokes both the ruins of ancient Rome and the hills of Naples. It’s a cherished NYC tradition that has been enchanting visitors since the 1950s.

✨ Insider Tip: Visit on a weekday early morning to experience the exhibit in near silence..

5. American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Origami Tree

🗓️ Display Dates: Late November 2025 – Early January 2026
📍 Location: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th Street, Upper West Side

Since the 1980s, the AMNH Origami Tree has celebrated the holidays with creativity and wonder. Decorated with over 1,000 hand-folded origami ornaments, the tree showcases Blue Whale, Tyrannosaurus Rex, kangaroos, elephants, and more! 🐋🦖🐘

Each year, the tree follows a unique theme, highlighting the artistry of origami creators from around the world. You’ll find this magical display inside the Ellen V. Futter Gallery, glowing with color, detail, and imagination. A must-see both for kids and adults!

✨ Insider Tip: Get close! Every fold tells a story, and the mix of science and art makes this tree one of NYC’s most interesting holiday traditions.

6. Shine Bright at Hudson Yards

🗓️ Display Dates: November 17, 2025 – Early January 2026
📍 Location: Hudson Yards, 30 Hudson Yards, Manhattan West Side

Prepare to be dazzled by Hudson Yards’ 725 evergreen trees, each illuminated to create a gleaming forest of light. The display includes a 16-foot tall illuminated hot air balloon, hundreds of glittering ornaments, and over two million twinkling white lights that transform the space into one of NYC’s most breathtaking winter wonderlands.

It’s honestly one of my favorite holiday destinations , with plenty of photo ops. Snap a picture with Santa, do a selfie surrounded by the glittering lights, or just soak in the sparkle… it’s the ultimate holiday Instagram spot!

With so many shops and cafés, it’s also the perfect place to tackle your Christmas gift list while staying warm and festive. 🎁 And if you want more ways to make your NYC holidays unforgettable, check out my Best of Christmas in NY blog post for even more insider magic.

✨ Insider Tip: Start your visit with The Vessel to appreciate Hudson Yards’ architecture before the lights turn on. Then, make your way up to Edge NYC right before sunset to watch the sky fade from gold to deep blue as the Shine Bright lights below come alive.

BEST CHRISTMAS TREES IN NYC’S HOTELS 

If you love festive lobbies, this section is pure holiday heaven!!!

Every year, some of New York City’s most beautiful hotels transform their spaces into twinkling wonderlands, each with its own style, story, and sparkle. From The Plaza’s timeless elegance to Lotte New York Palace’s fairy-tale courtyard, these hotels get everyone in the holiday spirit.

💡 Pro Tip: Most hotel trees go up right after Thanksgiving and stay on display through early January. Perfect for anyone visiting for Christmas or New Year’s.

Here are some of the most iconic ones:

1. The Plaza Fairmont Hotel 

🗓️ Display Dates: November 13, 2025 – Early January 2026 (The Plaza’s Christmas tree was unveiled on November 22 in 2024; expect a similar date this year)
📍 Location: Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, Midtown Manhattan

Nothing says New York Christmas quite like The Plaza Hotel. A timeless classic that never gets old!

💫 If you’ve ever dreamed of staying here, book your stay at The Plaza Hotel and experience the magic for yourself, from breakfast beneath chandeliers to cozy nights by the tree.

Inside, the Plaza’s 20-foot Christmas tree sparkles beneath grand chandeliers, draped in gold and cream ornaments… elegant, cinematic, and pure holiday magic!

This quintessentially New York hotel is a must-see – not just for Home Alone fans. And if you are a fan, you can even relive Kevin McCallister’s adventure by booking the Plaza Hotel’s “Home Alone: Fun in New York” package (rates vary by room type and availability).

Package Highlights include:

• A 4-hour limousine ride complete with hot cheese pizza, just like Kevin!🍕
• A 16-scoop ice cream sundae to indulge in your “extra-large bed” 🍨

✨ Insider Tip: Access to the lobby is limited to hotel guests during the day, but a friendly doorman shared that you can usually visit before 9 AM or after 9 PM for a quiet look. Don’t miss The Palm Court for tea or champagne under the glass dome; it’s like stepping inside your own NYC movie moment.

2. Lotte New York Palace

🗓️ Display Dates: Late November 2025 (just after Thanksgiving) – Early January 2026
📍 Location: 455 Madison Avenue, between 50th & 51st Streets, Midtown Manhattan

Known for its glamour (yes, you might recognize it from Gossip Girl!), the Lotte New York Palace’s Christmas tree is a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication… and one of the city’s most photographed holiday spots in New York City!

💫 Want to wake up to this view? Book your stay at Lotte New York Palace and treat yourself to one of NYC’s most magical holiday experiences.

Inside, the holiday magic continues with smaller, beautifully decorated trees gracing the grand lobby, garlands draped along the marble staircases, and the showstopping Gingerbread Palace – a stunning creation handcrafted by the hotel’s pastry team in over 300 hours of dedicated work.

✨ Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning for serene photos in the courtyard, then head inside for a cozy moment by the tree. The warm scent of gingerbread fills the air, making it feel like stepping into a Christmas movie.

3. The Peninsula Hotel

📍 Location 700 Fifth Avenue, New York- at 55th Street.

When Luca and I stayed at The Peninsula New York during Christmas, it truly felt like a dream come true. From the elegant “Afternoon Tea” to the stunning room views, the tree lighting ceremony on the rooftop, and the spa’s pool overlooking Fifth Avenue and Central Park – every moment was unforgettable.

And you don’t actually have to be a hotel guest to fell its magic!!! Everyone is welcome to step in and soak in all its beauty. Start with the festive façade along Fifth Avenue, then step inside to admire the majestic Christmas Tree, holiday décor, and that signature red staircase that feels straight out of a very chic Christmas Wonderland 🎅

💡 Pro Tip: Head to the rooftop Salon de Ning, which transforms into a cozy Swiss chalet during the holidays. Sip champagne inside the heated igloos while watching the Fifth Avenue lights twinkle below. It’s one of NYC’s most romantic winter experiences.

✨ Insider Tip: Treat yourself to a Winter Wellness Escape! When you book a 60-minute (or longer) spa treatment, you’ll enjoy full access to The Peninsula’s serene pool, steam room, and saunas. It’s the ultimate urban oasis for busy New York days.

DYKER HEIGHTS HOLIDAY LIGHTS MEET-UP 🎉

Dive into the ultimate Christmas spirit by joining me on December 4, 2025 for a VivereNewYork get-together stroll through the magical lights of Dyker Heights!

Famous for its over-the-top holiday displays, this Brooklyn neighborhood transforms into a full-blown winter wonderland with larger-than-life decorations. Since 2010, I’ve been hosting this FREE and opem-to-everyone meet-up, and it’s absolutely one of my favorite traditions! Come along to capture the most Instagrammable decorated homes, meet new friends, and soak in the festive energy that makes NYC feel like a real-life Christmas movie

🌟 Read all the details here.

FINAL THOUGHTS

🎅❤️ Christmas in New York City is a magical experience like no other.

Which tree are you most excited to visit this year? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your holiday photos on Instagram – I love seeing how you experience the city through your eyes! 💫

And if this post helped you plan your trip, SAVE it + SHARE it with someone you’d love to spend the holidays in New York with. 🎁