We Didn't Know the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Costs THIS Much
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It's officially the holiday season, and millions of people venture to New York City to enjoy the wonders that come from the most wonderful time of the year. Amid hitting all the family tourist attractions — like the Empire State Building and Central Park — a can't-miss stop must be made to see the beloved Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Dating back to 1931, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been a staple in New York City attractions. Standing proudly in Rockefeller Plaza, people love to take part in all the glitz and glamor that comes along with it. What's more, folks can see the tree lit every year thanks to NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center live special, which airs this year on December 4 with Kelly Clarkson hosting the festivities alongside Today stars Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin.
Given how the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is so iconic, this leads us to a major question: how much does the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree actually cost? Turns out, there are multiple layers to this answer, so let's dive right in to reveal the fascinating truth.
How much does the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree cost?
According to Fast Company, the actual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is part of a donation, which significantly lowers the total price of how much money it takes to erect the worldwide holiday sight.
As far as specs of the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and where it came from, Today reported the 74-foot, 11-ton Norway Spruce came from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. According to the Rockefeller Center Head Gardener Erik Pauze, he found the tree outside of the home of Earl and Leslie Albert, who planted the tree in their backyard in 1967. When Erik was casually driving by the home back in 2020, he fell in love with the tree and knew he had to make it part of the Rockefeller Center tradition.
"I came from getting gas after staying overnight tree searching. I saw the beautiful Norway Spruce as I drove down the road, and it was right in front of me," he said in an interview with Rockefeller Center magazine. “I knocked on the door and met Earl Albert. I asked if he would someday consider donating the tree to Rockefeller Center. His answer was immediately yes."
Now that we have the details on the actual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, let's talk about the decor that makes it so merry and bright. According to NBC Insider, the 2024 tree will feature over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights strung on five miles of wire. What's more, the top of the tree will have a 900-pound star (with 3 million Swarovski crystals and 70 light-up spikes) that was designed by Daniel Libeskind and has been a part of the decoration since 2018.
Although there are no clear reports on how much money the decorations cost, there is a rough estimate of how much money it takes to move the tree from West Stockbridge to Rockefeller Plaza. Time Out New York reports it could cost up to $70,000 to transfer it, and that comes from Rockefeller Center’s corporate owner, Tishman Speyer.
Definitely interesting information! And for those wondering what happens to the Christmas tree once the holidays are over, it gets broken down into lumber by Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for those in need.
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