Best Christmas Trees in New York City
New York City loves Christmas, and as such, is filled with beautiful Christmas trees during the holiday season. There is of course the most famous of them all, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, but you won’t want to miss the city’s hidden coniferous holiday gems. Here is a list of our favorite NYC Christmas trees, and a little bit of NYC history, to help you branch out.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The crown jewel in New York City’s Christmas celebrations is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. The tree made its debut in 1931, almost by accident. It was at the height of the Great Depression, and those lucky enough to have work building Rockefeller Center wanted to spread some holiday cheer. An Italian immigrant actually came up with the idea. The workers got a small tree, decorated it with homemade ornaments, and sang carols around it. People loved this so much that it became an annual tradition. The 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a 75-foot tall Norway Spruce donated by the Russ family. (And yes, every year the tree is donated, never bought.) After the holiday season. The tree will become lumber for Habitat for Humanity, and a few more are planted in its place.
New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree
The New York Stock Exchange Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is actually older than the lighting at Rockefeller Center. The NYSE Christmas Tree started its lighting tradition in 1923! This tree lighting ceremony used to be a bit of a NYC secret, but the word has gotten out. The tree is very beloved and the 2025 tree is as large as the tree at Rockefeller Center!
Bryant Park Christmas Tree
The Bryant Park Christmas Tree overlooks a giant ice skating rink and the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. The Bryant Park Christmas Tree is one of New York City’s newest holiday traditions. The first Bryant Park Christmas Tree was in 2002. The 2025 Bryant Park Christmas Tree stands at 45 feet tall and is decorated with over 12,000 lights and 1,200 oversized ornaments. Take a glide on the free Bryant Park skating rink (skate rental does cost money) and take photos in front of the beautiful tree. Then, head to welcometotimessquare.com and learn how you can put your photo on a giant Times Square billboard for as little as $150 a day!
The Lotte Palace Hotel Christmas Tree
Attention Upper East Siders, Serena’s home during season one of Gossip Girl, the Lotte Palace Hotel, has one of the most beloved hidden-gem Chrismtas trees in all of New York City. It’s perfect for those Instagram photos. You’ll find the tree in the courtyard of the Palace Hotel. Take a swing inside their bar for a true Gossip Girl experience. XOXO ~Gossip Girl
The Plaza Hotel
If you’ve seen Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, you no doubt understand how iconic The Plaza Hotel is to New York City during the holiday season. They have a stunning lobby which is always decked out for the holidays. Check out their festive events such as a Kevin McCallister lookalike contest, and of course enjoy their beautiful Christmas trees.
The South Street Seaport
The unsung hero of New York City’s holiday season is the South Street Seaport. There are tons of festive events, including Watermark’s Winter Wonderland and Gingerbread City at 19 Fulton Street. They have a heartwarming Christmas Tree that will fill your heart with joy.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park puts up a beautiful tree underneath the Washington Square Arch each year. New York City locals love this tree, as it is home to a secret Christmas Eve tradition. Every year on Christmas Eve, there is public Christmas Caroling around the Washington Square Park tree. As they say in the movie Elf, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.