The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City

Thousands of people come to New York City each year to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. For those visiting for the first time, this event can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, there are some insider tips for a stress-free visit.

The tree is located inside the Rockefeller Center's entry lobby and has more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights. It is decorated with big golden ornaments and thousands of tiny lights. The tree's lighting ceremony will occur at 6 AM on Christmas Day. The lights are powered by 300 solar panels on One Rockefeller Center's roof. This event is very popular and has been filmed for television.

The star on top of the tree is covered in 25,000 Swarovski crystals and has a diameter of nine feet. It has 70 spikes that are topped with three million crystals. It weighs 550 pounds and saves enough energy to power a 2,000 square foot home for a month. It was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind for 2018.

The tree will be decorated from the top down, which means that the top of the tree is likely to be the most crowded area. The area will be busy, but it is easy to get close to the tree and photograph it. The tree's lights will remain on from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. If you're interested in photographing the tree at night, try to go during a colder day or on a weekday. The East River wind can make the air very cold.

If you're not in New York and want to watch the tree light up, you can do so remotely from your home. You can watch it on Fubo TV, NBC, Sling TV, and other streaming platforms. There are also live performances that precede the tree lighting ceremony. Performers have included Martina McBride, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Lady Gaga.

If you're looking for a real tree, you can find a variety of species in New York. You can buy a tree in Manhattan or the Bronx. Egan Acres Tree Farm in the Bronx has been supplying New Yorkers with trees for 55 years. They have a wide selection of pine and fir trees. You can order a tree online and pick it up right at your front door. They also offer tree set-up and removal services.

Pop-up tree lots have been around in New York City for more than 150 years. You can find them on every other block during the holiday season. These lots are not subject to standard pricing and feature imported evergreens from tree farms in Canada. The trees are picked up by the Sanitation Department and reused for compost. If you're in the mood for a Christmas tree but can't afford one, consider dumping one on the curb between January 6 and 17. You can also purchase a 3-foot tree for a small space.

The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is an attraction for both visitors and photographers. The tree has been in place for less than two months and has already attracted more than 500,000 visitors.