New York City’s biggest holiday tradition is officially underway. Social media favorite Marco Abbiati — better known as @MyChristmasInNewYorkCity — has kicked off his annual coverage of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, delivering fans the first look, the vital stats, and the key dates for this year’s festivities.
Abbiati has built a devoted following by tracking the iconic tree from its hometown to Midtown, sharing updates on cutting, transport, arrival, and lighting with the kind of ground-level detail only a true insider can deliver. His 2025 updates are already here, and they include size, weight, origin, and exactly when to see the tree roll into Rockefeller Plaza.
On October 27, Abbiati unveiled the season’s headliner: a 75-foot Norway spruce sourced from the Russ family home. “This year’s 75-foot Norway Spruce comes from the Russ family home. It weighs 11 tons, measures 45 feet in diameter, and was planted more than 60 years ago — a true Christmas icon in the making,” he wrote, giving followers a clear sense of the tree’s scale and history.
Where 2025’s Rockefeller Center Tree Comes From
In the lead-up to its New York arrival, the spruce has been staged in East Greenbush, New York, where crews have been preparing it for the journey south. On November 5, Abbiati shared another on-the-ground update, posting that the tree was “all packed and wrapped, ready for the Tree Cutting Ceremony tomorrow” and noting that the update was “LIVE from East Greenbush, New York.” He capped the post with a simple, on-brand reaction: “Isn’t she beautiful?”
Alongside photos and on-site notes, Abbiati has been rolling out a full timeline for the season, including cutting, transport, and arrival. His feed has also featured behind-the-scenes footage of crews carefully securing branches, stabilizing the trunk, and loading the massive spruce, offering fans a rare look at the logistics that bring the holiday landmark to life.
When The Tree Arrives & How To See It
With packing complete, the journey to Midtown begins. As Abbiati explained, “Starting now, the tree will be carefully packed and prepared for its journey to New York City, where it will arrive on the morning of Saturday, November 8th, for Meet the Tree Day 2025.” The annual arrival is a fan-favorite moment, as the towering spruce turns a corner onto Rockefeller Plaza to cheers from early risers bundled up for the first big holiday photo op of the season.
In keeping with the tradition’s open-door spirit, Abbiati reminded followers that the welcome event doesn’t require a reservation or special access. “The event is free and open to everyone, no tickets needed — just head to Rockefeller Plaza early to enjoy the excitement (and maybe spot Santa!),” he noted. If you’re planning to watch the tree arrive, expect crowds, barricades, and a festive (but busy) atmosphere as the installation begins.
While exact traffic patterns and staging areas vary year to year, the takeaway is straightforward: arrive early, dress warm, and be ready for a bit of waiting as crews maneuver the 11-ton spruce into position. Abbiati’s feed remains a reliable place for day-of tips and any last-minute timing shifts.
Lighting Ceremony Date & Viewing Details
The centerpiece moment of the season is also on the calendar. “The Lighting Ceremony will take place on December 3rd,” Abbiati told fans, adding that “a full post will be published soon here on @MyChristmasinNewYorkCity with all details, times, and tips to experience it in the best way!” The ceremony typically draws massive crowds to Rockefeller Plaza and the surrounding streets, with festive performances leading up to the switch-flip that officially lights the tree.
Once illuminated, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will shine daily from early morning through late night. As Abbiati outlined, the schedule this year has the lights on from 5 a.m. to midnight, with a 24-hour glow on Christmas Eve and a 9 p.m. shutoff on New Year’s Eve. Those hours give locals and visitors ample time to see the tree — whether you’re making a special trip or catching a glimpse while skating at The Rink or visiting nearby Fifth Avenue displays.
Abbiati’s ongoing coverage is a one-stop shop for holiday planners looking to navigate the season’s biggest New York City attraction. From the tree’s origin story and size to its cutting and arrival, he’s offering real-time footage and dates that help fans stake out the best times to visit and the best views to capture.
For now, the essentials are set: a 75-foot Norway spruce that’s more than six decades in the making, an arrival on Saturday, November 8 for “Meet the Tree Day 2025,” and a lighting ceremony on December 3. With the tree prepped, wrapped, and on the move, New York’s holiday season is officially in sight — and the city’s most famous spruce is about to take its place at the center of it.
