BREAKING: The iconic 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been confirmed to come from East Greenbush, New York. The stunning 75-foot-tall, 45-foot-diameter Norway Spruce, graciously donated by the Russ family, will be cut down on November 6, 2025, and journeyed over 140 miles to its new home at Rockefeller Plaza on November 8, 2025.
This year’s tree, estimated to be as old as its height, is set to be a centerpiece of holiday celebrations in New York City. Residents and visitors can RSVP to “Meet The Tree” during a free family-friendly celebration on its arrival day. The highly anticipated tree lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 3, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., broadcast live on NBC.
Judy Russ, a member of the Russ family, expressed her excitement: “This tree has been part of our family celebrations for 60 years. I can’t wait to create more memories with friends and family as it becomes the world’s Christmas tree.”
The magnificent tree will be adorned with 50,000 LED bulbs and a dazzling 900-pound, nine-foot-diameter Swarovski star. Head gardener Erik Pauze, who has dedicated over 30 years to finding the perfect trees, remarked that the Russ family tree was “perfect” upon first sighting.
In a touching commitment to community, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity after the holiday season. Since this initiative began in 2007, the trees have been transformed into beams that help build homes, often in the state from which they originate.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree symbolizes more than just the start of the holiday season. It embodies a spirit of love, light, and community. According to the Center’s Magazine staff, “When the collection of 50,000 LED lights is switched on during the Official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, it will celebrate the enduring spirit of the city and the people who keep it shining bright, year after year.”
As excitement builds for this year’s festivities, New Yorkers and visitors alike are ready to witness the magic of the holiday season, ignited by the joy and memories that the Rockefeller Center tree brings to millions. Stay tuned for updates as the tree arrives and the celebrations commence!
