when do they remove the rockefeller christmas tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is typically taken down in early January, usually around the second week of the month, after the holiday season ends.

When the 2025–2026 Tree Comes Down

For the 2025–2026 season, the Norway spruce tree will be lit on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and will stay on display at Rockefeller Plaza through mid‑January 2026. The exact removal date isn’t announced far in advance, but in recent years the tree has usually been removed sometime between January 7 and January 14, often in the first full week after New Year’s Day.

How the Removal Works

Taking down the tree is a multi‑day process. First, crews carefully remove the 50,000+ lights and the large Swarovski star from the top. Then, the tree is taken apart in sections and lowered from the plaza. After removal, the trunk is milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity to build homes, continuing the tree’s legacy beyond the holidays.

How to Find the Exact Date

Rockefeller Center usually announces the official takedown date and schedule a few days before it happens, often through their official website and social media channels. If planning a visit to see the tree before it comes down, it’s best to check the official Rockefeller Center site or NYC tourism guides in early January for the precise removal timeline.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.