The Big Apple’s holiday decor is hard to beat and nothing embodies the holiday spirit more than the striking Christmas trees in New York City. But with limited vacation days, you might be wondering “where can I find the best Christmas trees in New York City?”
That’s where I come in. I’ve spent the better part of six years searching for New York City’s most decorated Christmas trees. Here’s a quick roundup of personal favorites.
This list accompanies our most popular guide. Celebrating Christmas in New York City (20 Magical Things to Do & 5 to Avoid).
Where to Find the Best Christmas Trees in NYC
Table of Contents. New York City Christmas Trees
Table of Contents. Best Decorated Trees in NYC
- Where to Find the Best Christmas Trees in NYC
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- The Christmas Tree at Bryant Park
- The Christmas Tree at Lotte New York Palace
- New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
- Washington Square Park Christmas Tree
- New York Public Library Christmas Tree
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree
- South Street Seaport Christmas Tree
- Radio City Music Hall
- American Museum Of Natural History Origami Tree
- Best Christmas trees in New York City (Post Summary)
- Map to the best Christmas trees in NYC
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Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out my helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Neighborhood. Midtown
Location. 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
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.
The Christmas Tree at Bryant Park
Neighborhood. Midtown
Location. Bryant Park
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!
You Might Enjoy Reading. 10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth a Detour)
Some places are about the food. This one’s about the whole experience.
The Christmas Tree at Lotte New York Palace
Neighborhood. Midtown
Location. 455 Madison Ave, New York
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.
New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
Neighborhood. Financial District
Location. 11 Wall St, New York
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.
Local tip. Insider move. ask for the off-menu special.
Washington Square Park Christmas Tree
Neighborhood. Greenwich Village
Location. Washington Square, New York
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.
New York Public Library Christmas Tree
Neighborhood. Midtown
Location. 476 5th Ave, New York
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 Christmas Tree
Neighborhood. Upper East Side
Location. 1000 5th Ave, New York
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.
South Street Seaport Christmas Tree
Neighborhood. Financial District
Location. Fulton & Water Streets, New York
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.
Radio City Music Hall
Neighborhood. Midtown
Location. 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
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.
American Museum Of Natural History Origami Tree
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.
Best Christmas trees in New York City (Post Summary)
- Rockefeller Center
- Bryant Park Winter Village
- Lotte New York Palace
- New York Stock Exchange
- Washington Square Park
- South Street Seaport Christmas Tree
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- American Museum Of Natural History Origami Tree
- Radio City Music Hall
- Hudson Yards
- New York Public Library
Map to the best Christmas trees in NYC
Frequently Asked Questions. Where to Find the Best Christmas Trees in NYC
Rockefeller Center
Bryant Park Winter Village
Lotte New York Palace
New York Stock Exchange
Washington Square Park
Avenues of the Americas
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Bloomberg Tower
Radio City Music Hall
Hudson Yards
New York Public Library
Manhattan West
Brookfield Place
Columbia University
The Plaza Hotel
New York Botanical Garden
Zuccotti Park
The Rockefeller tree lighting in 2023 will be held on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023.
The most famous Christmas tree in NYC is located at the Rockefeller Center in Midtown, Manhattan.
New York City Christmas Guides
- Winter Packing Tips. What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
- Christmas on a Budget. 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
- Ice Skating in New York. 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City
- Restaurants Open Christmas Day. 20 Toothsome Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in New York City
- Prettiest Window Displays. 10 Wonderful Window Displays in New York City (Local’s Guide)
- Christmas Gift Guide. New York Gifts | For New Yorkers & Die-Hard NYC Lovers
And there you have it my friends, the list of the best Christmas trees in NYC. Hope you enjoyed!
Happy holidays!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Awe-Inspiring New York City Christmas Trees (Local’s Guide). Have a favorite spot we missed?
Have you been here before?
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
there is no tree at the public library anymore, they stopped last year(2021). last year they said they ” ran out of time”. this year no excuse.
Hey Don thanks for the heads up, we’ve removed it from our list to avoid any further confusion.