Top Tips for Attending the Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony

It’s that time of the year again where we’re looking ahead to all the Christmas festivities. For the last two years, I’ve spent time in New York in the festive season. Last year, I ticked off something high on my bucket list; The World Famous Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony. Not only did I witness the tree lighting ceremony but we were stood on the ice rink with a front row view. How much did that cost, I bet you’re wondering… it was FREE! In this post, I’m going to share how I got free front row tickets to the Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony usually always happens the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. This year it will take place Wednesday, November 29th 2023. It’s also worth mentioning if you go before this date, you’ll more than likely find the tree behind a box and it’s not really viewable. The tree sits over Rockefeller Plaza where the famous Ice Skating rink and this year is a Norway Spruce from Vestal, New York and has already made it’s journey to the city.

We had booked our trip last year around the tree lighting ceremony. Although, we was unsure if we was actually going to go as it sounded like absolute mayhem. From my understanding there is THREE main options on how to view the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony;

• Stand in the streets (must arrive at LEAST by 3pm for a decent spot)
• VIP Party (upwards of $1000pp)
• FREE tickets to stand on the Ice Rink to be part of the “TV Audience”.

I’m going to mainly discuss the latter options which is what we did. I found zero information about this online prior to our visit and it was just pure luck of how it turned out for us. 12 days before the Tree Lighting Ceremony I applied for tickets via 1iota.com who specialise in TV Audience tickets for the NBC Christmas in Rockefeller Centre 2022. This TV taping was taking place the day before the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and I believe it was to pre-record some of the musical guests such as Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keyes, Andrea Bocelli & Dan + Shay. My request was added to their queue and I was told I would receive an e-mail if they could accomodate my request. Additionally, I received another e-mail informing us there would be a second pre-recording taping that same day. However, I didn’t apply.

The day before the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (& the day of the pre-taping which I’d applied for), I received this e-mail.

We’re sorry we were not able to grant you tickets to the NBC Christmas in Rockefeller Center today!

To make up for it, we would like to invite you to the live event tomorrow at Rockefeller Center!

If you are interested in attending our event, click here to reserve your spot now.

We hope to see you at the NBC Christmas in Rockefeller Center event tomorrow!

Both my Mum and I received this e-mail and both immediately clicked to reserve a spot, however I only managed to get through for two tickets (there was four of us). In between applying for tickets, I went from having a general ticket to priority. Neither meant we were guaranteed entry but priority had a better chance.

On the evening of the Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5th Avenue is absolute chaos with one way walkways and people EVERYWHERE. It was so difficult to get to where we were supposed to be but eventually we got in by the skin of our teeth before the end of the priority access time window. We was led underneath Rockefeller Plaza around 6pm, through security and onto the actual ice rink. We were stood there 4 and half hours in total so warm footwear/clothing is a must!  The live TV taping started at 7pm and it was just Katherine McPhee and David Foster performing in front of the tree. I believe these were the only live performers from the NBC programme, everyone else was pre-taped. The tree was lit at 10pm by the Good Morning America Team and Mario Lopez.

We honestly has the best view in New York and it was completely free. I believe it was total luck we ended up there. However, I found nothing about this online before our visit so hopefully this does help if you are visiting NYC for the Tree lighting. Currently (14th November), there is no information on 1iota but I will update this post if something becomes available.

EDIT: As of 18th November, there is now tickets available to be requested for the rehearsals on 1iota.com

1iota.com is a great website to check out if you are visiting both New York or Los Angeles. There’s lot’s of TV taping to attend such as The Voice, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. I’ve previously had tickets for The Late Show with James Cordon too!

If you don’t manage to get tickets via 1iota.com you can view the Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony from the surrounding streets. From my research prior to my visit, the key is to be in place by 3pm if not earlier. You are able to see the tree from anywhere in Rockefeller Plaza, the channel gardens directly in front, outside of Saks on 5th Avenue and from West 49th Street and West 50th Street. The streets around Rockefeller Plaza close at 3pm and even so It was utterly chaotic, especially when trying to leave.

The Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony was an ultimate bucket list item to tick off. The whole evening was so magical and my Mum and I ended up on TV! If you don’t make the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the tree remains lit is lit daily from 5am–12am. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours. On New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am to 9pm. The Tree will be on view until January 13th. If you’re visiting at Christmas, this is your number one thing to se in New York City.

If you have any questions about the Rockefeller Centre Tree Lighting Ceremony, leave a comment below!

XOXO