The Rockefeller Christmas Tree has become a huge holiday tradition in New York City.  This tradition began in 1931 when workers put their money together to buy a Christmas tree.  At the time, these workers decorated a 20-foot-tall tree with homemade garlands.  This year will be the 93rd year the Rockefeller Tree goes up.

To begin, the tree lighting ceremony will happen on Wednesday, December 4th.  You can find it on television during the live broadcast of Christmas at Rockefeller Center.  Since that Wednesday, the tree will be lit daily from 5 A.M. to midnight.  Especially on Christmas Eve, it will be lit for the entire day!  If you want to see the tree in person, head to 30 Rockefeller Plaza.  While in the area, you could ice skate next to The Rink’s tree.  To skate here, you do have to buy tickets online.  Also, there is an Apres Skate Chalet.  Presented by Balsam Hill, you can enjoy a reservation of up to six people, including a view over the ice skating rink.

Next, this year’s tree is from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.  In 1967, the Albert family planted this year’s Rockefeller Tree.  It was originally located in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts.  When the tree was originally planted, it was about 2 feet tall, but roughly 60 years later, it turned out to be 74 feet tall.  Earl and Leslie Albert, married, used to decorate the tree when it was short, but they stopped once it got too tall.  A few days before the Albert’s tree was selected for the Rockefeller Tree, Earl’s wife Leslie passed away.  When their tree got selected, Earl’s son Micheal wondered if an angel might have been in the play when considering Albert’s tree.  Earl and Micheal were thrilled to hear that their tree could be displayed for everyone to see.  In honor of Earl’s wife, Leslie, the Albert family put their tree up in Rockefeller Center.  Soon it will be lit and aired on NBC on December 4th.