Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting by subway: Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Get my route to the tree lighting

By Cobblehop · Updated November 7, 2026

Getting there

Rockefeller Center sits between Fifth and Sixth Avenues from 48th to 51st Street. These stations are closest:

On a weekday evening the B and M stop running at night, while the D and F run all night. Coming from New Jersey or Long Island, change at Penn Station or 34 St-Herald Sq to an uptown B D F M.

On lighting night

• The public watches from designated viewing areas around Rockefeller Center. In 2024 Rockefeller Plaza itself was closed along with the surrounding streets.
• In past years the viewing areas typically opened around 4 pm, and in 2025 people were lining up before 2 pm for the front rows.
• The NYPD closes the streets around the plaza: in 2024 and 2025 that was 46th to 52nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, plus Fifth and Sixth Avenues themselves from 46th to 52nd Street, from the afternoon. Expect security screening. In past years the NYPD didn't allow backpacks, large bags or umbrellas in the viewing areas.
• The ceremony has run until about 10 pm in recent years, with the tree lit near the end of the broadcast.
• Go by subway. Driving and taxis get stuck behind the closures.

Going home after the lighting

When the ceremony ends, everyone leaves at once and the station under Rockefeller Center fills up fast. Two easy ways around it:

• Walk west to Seventh Avenue for the N R W at 49 St, or to Broadway for the 1 at 50 St.
• Walk south along Sixth Avenue to 42 St-Bryant Pk or 34 St-Herald Sq, where the crowd is thinner.
• After about 10 pm the B and M have stopped. Use the D or F on Sixth Avenue.

Seeing the tree during the season

• The 2026 tree is a 76-foot Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York. It stays up through January 9, 2027.
• Rockefeller Center hasn't posted the 2026 daily viewing hours yet. In 2025 the tree was lit from 5 am to midnight.
• Rockefeller Center hasn't posted its 2026 holiday hours yet. Reports say the tree will be lit for 24 hours on Christmas Day and from 5 am to 9 pm on New Year's Eve.
• In 2025, West 49th and 50th Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues were closed to cars from 11 am to 1 am each day for the crowds.
• Saks Fifth Avenue, across Fifth Avenue from the tree, starts its holiday light show on Monday, November 23. In 2025 it ran every 10 minutes from 5 pm to 11 pm.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes runs from November 4, 2026 to January 4, 2027, with 230 shows, at Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue at 50th Street). It is right above 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr, so it uses the same station.

• Doors open one hour before the show. Radio City asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes early.
• The show runs about 90 minutes with no intermission.
• Bags larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches aren't allowed.
• Evening shows let out into the tree crowds. Leave a few extra minutes to reach the subway.

Accessibility

• 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr and Lexington Av/51-53 Sts have elevators. At 49 St only the uptown platform is accessible.
• 50 St (1), 5 Av/53 St and 42 St-Bryant Pk have no elevators. 34 St-Herald Sq and Grand Central-42 St do.
• Sidewalks around the tree get very crowded in December. Leave extra time if you use a wheelchair or push a stroller.
• Elevators can be out of service. Check the MTA's elevator and escalator status before you go.

Common mistakes

• Arriving at 7 pm and expecting to see the lighting up close. The viewing areas fill hours before.
• Planning to cut through Rockefeller Plaza on lighting night. In 2024 it was closed along with the streets around it.
• Bringing a backpack or big bag on lighting night. In past years they weren't allowed in the viewing areas.
• Waiting for a B or M late in the evening. Take the D or F instead.
• Visiting on Christmas or New Year's Eve without checking the hours. They differ from the rest of the season.

Rockefeller Center tree lighting by subway: common questions

Official sources

Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with the MTA, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall or the event organizers. Check their pages for the latest:

• Rockefeller Center: holidays
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular: FAQ
• MTA: service alerts
• MTA: elevator and escalator status

Dates and times from the organizers' announcements. Station accessibility from the MTA's station data. Where a 2026 plan isn't published yet, this page says which earlier year a detail comes from. Checked November 7, 2026. Check live service before you go.