The City Where the Public Christmas Tree Was Born
When we think of Christmas in New York, we think of the giant tree at Rockefeller Center. But it is neither the oldest nor the only one: the city has trees in parks, under historic arches, in museums and in front of the Stock Exchange, each with a story that is worth knowing before you go.
In this guide we tell you how the tradition of public Christmas trees was born in New York, our ten favorites with their history and 2026 dates, and how to visit them in one route.
Last updated: October 21, 2026.
How New York Started a National Tradition
On Christmas Eve of 1912, a 60-foot tree brought from the Adirondacks lit up in Madison Square Park. It was the idea of Emilie D. Lee Herreshoff, who wanted everyone, especially those who could not afford a tree of their own, to share in the holiday. Some 25,000 people came to see it, and the idea spread quickly: the following year, public trees appeared in about 50 cities across the United States. Today New York has dozens, and these are the ten we recommend most.
1. Rockefeller Center
The story: it was born in 1931, during the Great Depression, when the workers building the complex pooled their money to buy a small tree and decorate it with handmade garlands. Since then it has become the most famous Christmas tree in the world.
2026: the tree arrives on November 7 and is lit on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. It stays lit until early January. Go early in the morning on a weekday to see it without crowds.
2. Madison Square Park
The story: this is where it all began, with the first public Christmas tree in the country in 1912. In 1916 a permanent monument was installed to commemorate it: the Star of Hope, a five-pointed star atop a tall pole that you can still see in the park.
2026: the park keeps the tradition with its own holiday tree each year. The lighting date had not been announced at the time of writing.
3. The New York Stock Exchange (Wall Street)
The story: since 1923, the Stock Exchange has set up a tree on Broad Street, in front of its famous six-column façade. It is one of the oldest tree traditions in the city, and seeing it lit in front of the neoclassical building is one of the most striking images of Lower Manhattan.
2026: the lighting usually takes place in early December. Date to be confirmed.
4. Washington Square Park
The story: since 1924, a tree has stood just south of the Washington Square Arch, at the foot of Fifth Avenue. The ceremony, organized by the Washington Square Association, includes Christmas carols with a brass quartet and a countdown with Santa, and in 2024 it celebrated its 100th year.
2026: it is usually held on a Wednesday in early December, starting around 5:00 p.m., with the lighting at 6:00 p.m. Date to be confirmed.
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The story: since 1957, The Met has displayed a tree with an 18th-century Neapolitan Baroque Nativity scene, a tradition started by the collector Loretta Hines Howard. Angels and cherubs hang from the branches, and more than seventy figures fill the scene at its base.
2026: it stands in the Medieval Sculpture Hall and is included with museum admission. It is usually on view from late November until early January.
6. The Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History
The story: for decades, the museum has decorated a 13-foot tree with more than 1,000 hand-folded paper models, created with OrigamiUSA by artists from all over the world. Every year has a theme, and dinosaurs and whales usually make an appearance.
2026: on view from November 23, 2026, with the theme “animal athletes.” Included with museum admission.
7. Bryant Park
The story: in the middle of the Winter Village, Bryant Park’s tree rises over the city’s largest free-admission ice rink. In 2025 it was 45 feet tall, with more than 12,000 lights and 1,200 ornaments.
2026: the Winter Village is open from October 28. The lighting date had not been announced at the time of writing; in 2025 it was December 2.
8. South Street Seaport
The story: in the historic Seaport District, where the city’s port was born, a large tree lights up among cobblestone streets and old ships, with a free ceremony that usually includes live music and photos with Santa.
2026: date to be confirmed.
9. DUMBO (Brooklyn)
The story: under the Manhattan Bridge, in front of the 45-foot Archway, the neighborhood sets up its own tree, surrounded by holiday markets and one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline.
2026: date to be confirmed. It is right on the route of our Christmas lights tour.
10. Lincoln Square (Dante Park)
The story: on the Upper West Side, at Broadway and 64th Street, the neighborhood celebrates the season with its own tree of about 30 feet in Dante Park, across from Lincoln Center, during the Winter’s Eve festival.
2026: date to be confirmed.
How to See Them in One Route
All ten are free to see from the street, except the museum trees, which are included with admission. A good plan is to divide them by area: Lower Manhattan (Stock Exchange and Seaport), Downtown and Midtown (Washington Square, Madison Square, Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center), and Uptown (Lincoln Square, the Met and the Museum of Natural History). DUMBO is perfect at night, with the Manhattan skyline lit up in the background.
Our Guides’ Tips
Weekday mornings are the best time to avoid crowds. At night, from about 4:30 p.m. in December, the trees and lights shine at their best. Lighting ceremonies are free but crowded, so arrive early and dress warmly. And check each date shortly before your trip, because many ceremonies are confirmed only a few weeks in advance.
See the Christmas Lights With Us
If you want to see the city’s lights without fighting the cold or traffic, our Christmas Lights Tour in New York City: Dyker Heights stops at Hudson Yards, the houses of Dyker Heights and DUMBO, and ends near the Rockefeller Center tree. The New York City Contrasts Tour + Dyker Heights Lights combines the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn with the Christmas lights. Both are guided in Spanish and run in heated vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Rockefeller Center tree lighting in 2026?
On Wednesday, December 2, 2026. The tree arrives on November 7.
What was the first public Christmas tree in the United States?
The one in Madison Square Park, lit on Christmas Eve of 1912.
Which Christmas trees in New York are free?
Almost all of them: Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Washington Square, Madison Square, the Stock Exchange, the Seaport, DUMBO and Lincoln Square. The trees at the Met and the Museum of Natural History are included with admission.
When are the Christmas trees lit?
Most are lit in late November or early December and stay lit until early January.
Which tree is best for kids?
The Origami Holiday Tree at the Museum of Natural History, with its paper dinosaurs and animals, and Bryant Park’s tree, next to the ice rink.
Related Articles
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2026: Lighting Date, Hours & History
Christmas in New York 2026: The Complete Guide
Bryant Park Christmas Guide 2026: Free Ice Skating, Winter Village and Season Calendar
Sources
Sources: 6sqft, The nation’s first public Christmas tree in Madison Square Park, and Holiday trees in NYC that are not at Rockefeller Center; Markets Media, 99 years of the NYSE holiday tree; Washington Square Park Blog, Christmas tree lighting marks 100th year; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Celebrating the Holidays at The Met; American Museum of Natural History, Origami Holiday Tree (amnh.org); Time Out New York, 2026 Rockefeller Center tree lighting; Bryant Park Corporation (bryantpark.org). Dates are subject to change.
Real’s Tours NYC is not affiliated with Rockefeller Center, the New York Stock Exchange, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History or any organization mentioned in this article. Dates and events may change, so please confirm current information with each organizer before your visit.
