New York's famous giant Christmas tree arrives

Crowds gather to get the first glimpse of this years tree — Image caption,
A famous moment...

34 minutes ago

You could say it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Especially in New York where the world famous Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree has just arrived.

The arrival and putting up of the enormous 76-foot Norway spruce has become one of the biggest and earliest Christmas traditions.

Take a look at its journey so far, and the history behind this famous tree...

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This years tree...

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Image source, Getty Images
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A 75-year-old Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York, was chosen to be this year's Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It made its way on a large truck to Midtown Manhattan on Friday night under a heavy police escort.
Image source, Getty Images
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A crane was used to lift the tree off the truck and hold it horizontally a few feet off the ground so workers could secure a spike to its base. This will help to hold it in place on its stand.
Image source, Getty Images
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Workers even had to climb in the tree to add wires and ropes to secure it before it was lifted to its base.
Image source, Getty Images
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A large crowd gathered in the plaza in New York to watch the tree's journey.
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They watched and filmed every stage of the tree getting into place.
Image source, Reuters
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Workers guided the crane holding the 76-foot tree to the base where it will stand.
Image source, Getty Images
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The tree was then secured to its base. It will soon be surrounded by scaffolding so crews can wrap the tree in 50,000 lights and top it with its 900-pound Swarovski star. Then, of course, comes the big moment...
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
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The lighting... The Rockefeller Center tree lighting is scheduled for 2 December and the tree will remain on display until 9 January. Millions will make their way to Rockefeller Center during the Christmas season to visit and get photos next us it.

A brief history of the Rockefeller Tree...

People taking pictures of the tree (2025)

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree tradition began in 1931, when construction workers building Rockefeller Center decide to put their money together and get a 20 foot Christmas tree. They decorated it with handmade paper garlands, cranberries, and tin cans.
In 1933 the Rockefeller Center officially turned the display into an annual public event with a 50-foot tree lighting ceremony.
In 2004 a large star designed with Swarovski crystals was introduced to top the tree, this has since had some re-designs.
And today, the annual tradition continues with large Norway spruces (such as the 76-foot tree delivered for the 2026 season) adorned with over 50,000 LED lights

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