Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Tonight: Kiss Midtown Goodbye, Unless You're Attending The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 2, 2015
Modified Dec 2, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 2, 2015
Modified Dec 2, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If your office is in Midtown, you'll probably need to plan an after-work drink far far from Midtown, because tonight is the annual bloody Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. The extravaganza—Mary J. Blige! Sting! Carly Rae Jepsen! Mayor de Blasio!—begins at 7 p.m., but the NYPD warns that the "heavy traffic" will start at 3 p.m. and won't end until 11 p.m.
The following streets will be closed to cars starting at 3 p.m., until after the tree is lit: 48th, 49th, 50th, and 51st Streets between Avenue of the Americas and Fifth Avenue. As for pedestrians, the NYPD says, "Spectators are urged to use mass transit to attend the event and are reminded that umbrellas, backpacks and/or large bags are prohibited." Also, don't bring your freaking drone what is wrong with you.
Once the tree is lit, the 30,000 energy efficient LED lights will staying flickering every day from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. through January 7, 2016. However, on Christmas Day, the tree will be blazing for 24 hours and on New Year's Eve, it will go dark at 9 p.m.
Last year, the tree lighting coincided with the decision not to indict NYPD cop Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner, sparking outraged protests outside Rockefeller Plaza during the ceremony.
Tagged
midtown
rockefeller christmas tree
rockefeller christmas tree lighting
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases
Two people who were found soaking wet and smelling of sewage say they went underground to look for jewelry, according to police and a criminal complaint.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. ET
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
News
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .