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2016 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting: How And When To Watch

By Danny Cox
Published on: 15:01 PST, Nov 29, 2016

The time is coming for one of the greatest moments of the Christmas season and there is really nothing better. No, it isn’t the start of Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas which begins this week, but that is a pretty good time as well. The more exciting time is when the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree goes up and the 2016 lighting is coming up very quickly. As a matter of fact, it is happening tomorrow and you need to know how and when to watch it if you’re not there in person.

For the 84th annual lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center, you can tune to NBC to see it all happen live. The lighting is something unlike any other and everyone has been getting ready for it for days now as the tree is already up and in place.

NJ.com does want tree-viewers to know that attendance to view it is free, but you’ll want to get there early in the day. Thousands of people will fill the streets near Rockefeller Plaza every single day while the tree is lit and that will not make it easy to get near it in a timely manner.

Also, those wanting to ice skate on the Rockefeller ice skating rink will want to also arrive early as only 150 skaters can be on the ice at a time. For those that can’t be there to enjoy in all the fun, though, there will be an opportunity to at least see the gigantic Christmas tree being lit.

The official 2016 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting will take place this week, and here is all the info you need to know so that you can watch.

  • Date: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • Network: NBC
  • Hosts: Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer, Hoda Kotb

For anyone heading out to see the lighting of the tree in person, you will want to bundle up and bring your raincoat. It won’t be overly cold as The Weather Channel is calling for a high of 60 degrees, but rain is also in the forecast.

Those who watch the tree lighting will not be disappointed as the hour-long special is much more than illumination. A number of big-name stars from music, movies, and television will join in on the fun as 30,000 lights come to life before your very eyes.

According to the official website for NBC, music will be provided by Pentatonix, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, and Dolly Parton. They will perform holiday songs under the lights of the giant tree and bring Manhattan to exciting and festive life.

Other big names who will be on hand are Trisha Yearwood, The Radio City Rockettes, Sarah McLachlan, Jordan Smith, Neil Diamond, and Tony Bennett.

Again, the giant Rockefeller tree can be visited daily in New York until 9 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2017. Once the lights are lit on Wednesday night, they will stay shining and bright for the next month.

On Wednesday, you will need to turn on NBC and make sure you’re in front of the TV if you can’t be in New York in person. The 2016 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting is one of the most iconic and amazing moments during the holiday season each year. Knowing the full TV schedule for how, when, and where to watch will give you the opportunity to truly enjoy a great holiday moment and get some festive lights in your life.

[Featured Image by Theo Wargo/Getty Images]

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