My favorite Christmas trees in New York, 2026.

Skip the tourist version and do it like a local, here’s how.

Decorating a Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center is a tradition that dates back to 1933, officially. Unofficially, workers pooled together to buy the first tree in 1931 (amid the crippling Great Depression) when the national unemployment rate crested 23%.

Keen to manifest the holiday spirit, the 20-foot fir was dressed with handmade garlands made by the worker’s families. Two years later, Rockefeller Center decided to make the tree an annual tradition and held the first lighting festival in 1933.

Arguably the most iconic Christmas Tree in New York City, selecting this centerpiece is no easy feat. The tree must be at least 75 feet tall and 45 feet wide (traditionally, a Norway spruce is selected).

Once plucked, the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is decorated with more than 5 miles of lights and crowned with a breathtaking Swarovski star. A masterpiece in its own right, the star is composed of three million crystals and measures 9 feet and 4 inches.

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Festival takes place on December 4, 2024.

A popular destination year-round, Bryant Park transforms into a European-inspired holiday market and heralds the start of the Christmas season. More than 100 vendors entice those passing by with festive decor, handmade crafts, unique jewelry, and delicious holiday treats.

A stunning Christmas tree serves as the centerpiece for the buzzing market and creates a breathtaking backdrop for the massive ice skating rink.

Tree heights vary yearly but it tends to average 50 feet tall. Adorned with 12,000 lights and a thousand oversized ornaments, it’s one of the most heavily decorated Christmas trees in New York City.

The lighting ceremony is an hour-long spectacle that hosts Broadway performers and world-class ice skaters. It’s fun for the whole family!

Some places are about the food. This one’s about the whole experience.

Lotte New York Palace is a luxury Midtown hotel known for being a favorite of President Obama and a slew of celebrities. Or perhaps it looks familiar to you from Gossip Girl? Regardless, during the holiday season the real star of the show is the embellished tree in the hotel’s courtyard. Ornate and majestic, it’s one of the most elegant Christmas trees in NYC.

If you’re a big Gossip Girl fan looking for the full holiday experience consider booking a night at Lotte New York Palace.

I never get tired of this view.

If you’re in a festive mood, make a beeline for the annual tree lighting festival held in front of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The tradition dates back to 1923, making it the oldest in the city.

A stark composition to the gray-washed buildings that define the Financial District, the brilliant tree at the NYSE is a sight for soar eyes. Soaring to heights of 60 feet, it’s one of the tallest Christmas trees in New York City, reason alone to visit.

Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.

Washington Square Park is anchored by a grand marble arch commemorating the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration. The arch is a year-round draw, but during the holiday season it serves as nothing more than a backdrop for one of the most beloved Christmas trees in New York City.

The 45-foot stunner is pleasantly framed inside the arch, ready for its close-up. If crowds don’t deter you, visit during the tree lighting ceremony (typically the first week of December) or Christmas Eve to experience some good old-fashioned caroling.

The New York Public Library broke hearts when it announced the lobby Christmas tree would take an unexpected hiatus. Locals awaited with bated breath for better news in 2023 and thankfully one of the most popular Christmas trees in New York City made a triumphant return, same for 2024. Full of snow owls, red cardinals and gigantic pine cones, the tree is a masterpiece!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is one of my favorite museums in New York City. A joy to explore in all seasons, there’s something truly special about the holidays when the museum plays host to the most unique Christmas Tree in New York City.

The magnificent 20-foot blue spruce is laden with silk-robed angels looming over an 18th century Neapolitan Nativity scene. Take your time admiring the elaborate scene, the details are mind-boggling.

A bit off the beaten path, South Street Seaport is a quaint subset of the Financial District. Not to be outdone, the area’s heavily-decorated pine reaches impressive heights of sixty feet, making it one of the tallest Christmas trees in New York City.

The entire seaport is festively decorated for the holidays. Pick up a hot chocolate and take your time wandering the cobblestone streets, there are a ton of charming cafes and restaurants worth a gander. This best part? Here, the area is much less crowded than most of the New York City Christmas trees mentioned on this list.

The Christmas tree atop Radio City Music Hall’s marquee might look familiar to you. The location has been featured in numerous films, from Home Alone 2 to The Godfather, making it one of the most recognizable Christmas trees in NYC. Don’t miss the chance to snap a picture next to the giant red ornaments across the street while you’re in the area.

A tradition dating back five decades, the American Museum Of Natural History’s 13-foot pine is one of the most unique Christmas trees in New York City. Untethered by tradition, the museum swaps conventional glass decorations in favor of 1,000 origami ornaments inspired by fossils, dinosaurs, rare gems and the museum’s most beloved mammal, the monolithic blue whale.