The 13 Best Christmas Trees in NYC (+ 2026 Tree Lighting Dates)
If you are searching for the best Christmas trees in NYC, you are in for a magical holiday season. New York transforms into a glowing winter wonderland each year, and some of the most iconic moments happen right in front of its beautifully decorated trees.
From grand hotel courtyards to cozy neighborhood squares, each tree has its own personality and special charm. Some spots feel elegant and classic, while others feel festive and full of local energy.
In this guide, we will walk you through the most beautiful trees to see around the city, along with tips, locations, lighting ceremony dates, and other small details that will help you plan the perfect holiday adventure in New York.
Want to save the article for later? Pin it!
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we’ve used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
How to Find the Best Christmas Trees in NYC
Before sharing all of the incredible Christmas trees in NYC with you, let’s talk a bit about where to find the best ones, and the magical tree lighting ceremonies that go along with them.
❣️ Where to See Christmas Trees in NYC
Most of the top Christmas Trees in New York are located in iconic places like Sixth Avenue and Midtown, or in big plazas and parks.
Also some of the most beautiful hotels in New York for Christmas and the top shops for window displays have gorgeous Christmas trees matching the theme of the rest of their interior.
Wherever you go in New York though, you’re bound to find beautiful Christmas trees all over! Spending Christmas in NYC is really special, and each year it just keeps getting better.
✨ Christmas Tree Lightings in NYC
Decorating Christmas trees in New York is no joke, and something locals and visitors alike look forward to each year.
While storefronts and hotels simply put up their trees with the rest of their holiday decor, the biggest Christmas trees in NYC have full blown tree lighting ceremonies, complete with music, performances, food, and drinks. Each tree has a different date, which we’ve placed on our Christmas in New York calendar!
Traveling For Dummies
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
This ebook will teach how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you’ll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter 👇
The 13 Best Christmas Trees in NYC
Ready to explore the best Christmas trees in NYC? From iconic tree lighting ceremonies to neighborhood favorites, here are the most beautiful Christmas trees in New York you can’t miss out on.
1. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The most famous Christmas tree in the world stands tall at Rockefeller Center, glowing with more than fifty thousand lights. This year, it is a 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce from East Greenbush, and arrived November 8th to the city.
The annual tree lighting ceremony marks the start of the holiday season in New York, and is one of the most anticipated Christmas activities in NYC. The plaza, ice rink, and surrounding decorations make this one of the city’s most magical spots, especially for first time visitors to New York.
The event is free of charge, but there are also exclusive packages that include VIP viewing areas, open bar, food, and special performances for the most epic night out!
📍 Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
📆 Tree Lighting: December 2nd, 2026 7:00 PM
🕒 Hours: Daily 5 AM to 12 AM (through early January)
💵 Price: Free to view
🔗 Website: rockefellercenter.com
2. New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
Down on Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange hosts one of the city’s oldest Christmas traditions. The massive tree is beautifully lit and surrounded by holiday decor that glows against the historic buildings of the Financial District, making it one of most impressive Christmas trees in NYC for your bucket list.
Visit this year for the 102nd annual New York Stock Exchange Tree Lighting, an amazing community celebration that marks the start of the holiday season in the financial district.
The night is complete with live music performances and various company activations, which are open to the public, and there are also snacks and drinks that will also be served.
📍 Address: 11 Wall St, New York, NY 10005
📆 Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 3rd, 2026 3:30–6:30 PM
🕒 Hours: Daily, best viewed at night
🔗 Website: nyse.com
3. Lotte New York Palace
The Lotte New York Palace is home to one of the most magical holiday displays in Manhattan, with its towering tree set inside a stunning courtyard framed by the historic palace walls. It is elegant, grand, and easily one of the best Christmas trees in NYC for those looking for classic holiday charm.
📍 Address: 455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022
📆 Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 23rd, 2026
🕒 Hours: Daily, open to the public
🔗 Website: lottenypalace.com
4. Fox News Christmas Tree
Located outside Fox Square, this towering tree is covered in thousands of twinkling lights and ornaments, and is known as the “All American Christmas Tree”, shining in red, white, and blue.
This year the 6th annual tree lighting will feature a 50-foot tree decorated with 18,000 ornaments and 340,000 lights. It’s located just outside the network’s NYC headquarters, and Chris Tomlin will perform at the event, accompanied by a choir.
📍 Address: 1211 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036
📆 Tree Lighting Ceremony: TBA
🕒 Hours: Daily, open access area
🔗 Website: foxnews.com
5. Seaport District Christmas Tree
The Seaport District celebrates the holidays with a stunning tree surrounded by cobblestone streets and market lights. It is smaller than Rockefeller’s but offers a cozy, neighborhood feel, and feels like a true hidden gem when it comes to the best Christmas trees in NYC.
The Seaport has a fun tree lighting ceremony with lively performances throughout the evening presented by Heineken, including The Doo Wop Project, Dueling Pianos, and Brooklyn Drumline. After the lighting itself there is also a meet and greet with Santa, making this a super fun, and family-friendly event.
📍 Address: 19 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
📆 Tree Lighting Ceremony: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026
🕒 Hours: Daily, open to the public
🔗 Website: theseaport.nyc
6. Pier 17 Christmas Tree
The Pier 17 Christmas Tree brings a festive glow to the Seaport District, with stunning waterfront views and a cozy, cheerful atmosphere. Surrounded by holiday lights, food stalls, and live music, this tree captures the spirit of a classic New York winter with a more relaxed, local vibe.
💡In 2024 the Seaport District Tree was moved to Pier 17, but it’s worth checking out to see both locations have trees this year!
📍 Address: 89 South Street, New York, NY 10038
🕒 Hours: Daily 10 AM to 10 PM (late November through early January)
🔗 Website: theseaport.nyc
7. Bryant Park’s Winter Village Christmas Tree
Right in the center of Bryant Park’s Winter Village stands a glittering tree surrounded by shops, skaters, and twinkling lights. With the Empire State Building glowing nearby, it is one of the most festive and picturesque Christmas trees in New York City.
The tree lighting is free to the public, but on a first-come-first-served basis, so make sure to get there early!
📍 Address: 42nd St & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018
📆 Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 1st, 2026 at 5:30 pm
🕒 Hours: Daily 8 AM to 10 PM
🔗 Website: bryantpark.org
8. Washington Square Christmas Tree
Beneath the famous Washington Square Arch, this tree brings old-fashioned charm to the holidays. It is a favorite among locals, and definitely one of the best Christmas trees in NYC. The park also often hosts caroling events in front of the glowing lights.
Don’t miss out on the 103rd annual tree lighting ceremony! Dates TBA. In the meantime, you can subscribe to our newsletter where we share updates on all the Christmas events this season.
📍 Address: Washington Square Park, New York, NY 10012
📆 Tree Lighting: TBA
🕒 Hours: Open 24 hours (Lights on 4PM-1AM)
🔗 Website: washingtonsquarenyc.org/
9. Madison Square
This tree holds historical significance as the site of the first public Christmas tree lighting in the United States back in 1912. Today, it still glows beautifully under the Flatiron Building, bringing a touch of nostalgia to the holidays.
This year, the park is featuring a 40-foot Norway Spruce proudly which was sourced from an upstate farm in New York State.
Don’t miss their tree lighting which is free to the public, and has giveaways, photo ops, hot beverages, and live music performances!
Upgrade Your Inspo
Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.
Upgrade Your Inspo
Get the best travel tips, tricks, and hidden gems sent directly to your inbox. You’ll become a better traveler, week after week.
📍 Address: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010
📆 Tree Lighting: December 3rd, 2026 12:00-5:30 PM
🕒 Hours: Daily 6 AM to 11 PM
🔗 Website: madisonsquarepark.org
10. Brookfield Place
Inside the elegant Brookfield Place complex, this indoor tree stands surrounded by cascading lights and waterfront views. The shopping area also hosts seasonal performances and light shows, making it a perfect stop for a warm break from the winter chill.
We also love that Brookfield has a different them each year. Last year’s was a beach theme, so we’re excited to see what unique theme this year brings!
Apart from being one of the top Christmas trees in NYC, Brookfield Place also offers selfies with Santa, holiday concerts, and Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker, making it the ultimate venue for enjoying New York in December.
📍 Address: 230 Vesey St, New York, NY 10281
🕒 Hours: 10 AM to 8 PM
🔗 Website: brookfieldplaceny.com
11. One Beacon Court
This is one of the best Christmas trees in NYC for a true hidden gem. It’s located near Bloomingdale’s, in a private plaza featuring the beautifully decorated tree surrounded by mirrored buildings that reflect the lights. It is a quiet, less-crowded spot for holiday photos in Midtown.
📍 Address: 151 E 58th St, New York, NY 10022
🕒 Hours: Daily 7 AM to 11 PM
🔗 Website: nycgo.com
12. Sixth Avenue Tree Tunnel
This festive display is one of our favorite Christmas trees in the city, and one of the best Christmas trees in NYC for a fun photo. Just please be patient and wait your turn!
It runs along Avenue of the Americas, where one of the trees is carved out to have a tunnel right through the bottom of it. It is especially beautiful in the evening and easy to enjoy while walking between Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park.
📍 Address: 6th Ave between 48th and 51st St, New York, NY 10020
🕝 Hours: Daily until midnight
🔗 Website: nycgovparks.org
13. Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza Tree
Want to experience a more local tradition? Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park, Brooklyn has a tree lighting you won’t want to miss.
Last year there there was a stunning 25-foot tall Balsam fir tree dressed in 18,000 multicolored LED lights with a star on top sitting right under the memorial arch – and we’re sure this year will be just as magical. It’s accompanied by a nativity scene, and is one of those spots that Brooklynites look forward to every year.
📍 Address: Grand Army Plaza,. Brooklyn, NYC
📆 Tree Lighting: December 8th, 2026 5:30 pm
🕒 Hours: Daily 4-7 PM until January 6th
🔗 Website: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/holiday-lightings/f2021-11-29
Want a full list of tree lightings and other local trees not on the list? Download our free list!
The Best Christmas Trees in NYC: Final Tips & What’s Next
Exploring the Christmas trees in New York is one of the best ways to experience the magic of the holiday season. Each tree has its own vibe, and visiting a few different neighborhoods will give you a fun mix of classic, local, and hidden gem spots.
If you want to catch a tree lighting, try to arrive early, especially at popular locations. For taking photos with trees in general, Weeknights are usually easier than weekends, and smaller neighborhoods often have more relaxed celebrations. Bring something warm to drink, have your camera ready, and take your time soaking in the lights and music.
No matter which spots you visit, the Christmas trees in NYC will add something special to your holiday trip and leave you with some beautiful memories.
Want to save the article for later? Pin it!
👀 What’s Next?
Now that you know all of the best Christmas trees in NYC, let’s help you explore all of the other ways to enjoy New York!
Here are some other New York Christmas guides that we have for you:
🍸 22 Christmas Bars in NYC
🍴 17 Christmas Restaurants in NYC
🎅🏻 29 Christmas Activities in NYC
🏨 Top Hotels for Christmas in NYC
✨ The 8 Best Locations for Christmas Lights in NYC
🪟 The Best Window Displays in NYC
🎁 Where to Find the Best Christmas Decorations in NYC
📆 52 Fun Things to Do This December in New York
⛸️ 13 best ice rinks in NYC
❄️ A guide for winter in NYC
⭐️ The ultimate guide to Christmas in NYC
Want to learn more about visiting NYC? Here are our other New York guides:
✈️ How to Get from EWR to NYC
🛫 How to Get from LGA to NYC
🛬 How to Get from JFK to NYC
🌷 Guide for Spring in NYC
📆 Unmissable Spring Events in NYC
🍝 30 Cool Restaurants in New York City You Need to Try
🌸 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC
💧 The 19 Best Waterfalls in New York
❄️ Visiting NYC in Winter
📸 16 Favorite Instagrammable Places in NYC
💝 The Best Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in NYC
🤑 10 Things to Do in NYC for Free
📖 The Ultimate New York City Travel Guide
🚇 How to Get Around NYC Like a Local
🎾 Experiencing the US Open in New York
🍁 20 Amazing things to do in fall in NYC
🎟️ 25 Fall events in New York
🍂 A guide for visiting New York in Fall
🎃 Halloween in NYC guide
🪦 Sleepy Hollow day trip from NYC
👻 Halloween in the Upper West Side
…and more coming each week!
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Christmas trees in New York City! As a local, I love sharing about the best places to stay, see, and experience in New York, especially for this magical time of year.
Looking for more info about spending Christmas in New York? Don’t miss out on our other New York travel guides! Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, for updates on our newest articles each week, and to get exclusive content and discounts.
Looking to plan the most magical trip to New York this holiday season? We’re here to help! From customized itineraries to finding you affordable flights, Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning will take care of it all, with a truly special local touch. Want to learn more? Sign up for your free consultation!
Here are some other guides you’ll love:
