Rockefeller Center selects 75-year-old Norway spruce for 2026 season

Rockefeller Center has announced the selection of a 75-year-old Norway spruce to serve as the centerpiece for the 2026 holiday season in Manhattan. The tree, donated by Rebecca Decker, originates from West Edmeston, a rural community in central New York.

Standing 76 feet tall with a diameter of approximately 50 feet, the specimen weighs about 11 tons. The tree is scheduled to be harvested on November 5, 2026, and will arrive at the Rockefeller Plaza on November 7. Preparation for the display includes decorating the structure with over 50,000 LED lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star featuring three million crystals designed by Daniel Libeskind.

The official lighting ceremony is set for Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and will be broadcast live by NBC. The tree will remain on public display in Midtown Manhattan until mid-January 2027. Following the holiday season, the wood from the spruce will be donated to the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity.