The Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting opens New York’s holiday season with tradition and joy, and this year the story behind the iconic Norway spruce adds even more meaning. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree attracts visitors from around the world, and its journey reflects a powerful mix of family history, hope, and lasting love.

Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Tradition and Holiday Spirit

Every December, Rockefeller Center comes alive with excitement. Crowds gather, and the plaza fills with energy as people wait for the lights to turn on. Because of this atmosphere, the tree continues to symbolize unity and holiday warmth.

This impressive spruce usually ranges from 69 to 100 feet. It glows with 50,000 LED lights, and the brightness creates a sense of wonder for everyone who visits. After each season, workers transform the lumber into materials for donation, which reinforces the tradition’s purpose and value.

 

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How the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Began and Grew

The lighting ceremony started in 1933, and over time it developed into one of the most beloved holiday traditions in the country. Families plan trips around the event so they can watch the tree light up in person. As a result, the ceremony has become a treasured moment for many generations.

Each year introduces a new story, yet the meaning stays consistent. The tree represents celebration, connection, and shared joy. People return because the tradition always reminds them of hope.

A Family Tree with a Strong Legacy and Emotional Roots

This year’s Rockefeller Christmas Tree came from East Greenbush, New York. The 75-foot Norway spruce grew on the Russ family property for more than sixty years, and during that time it shaped countless family memories.

The tree stood beside weddings, celebrations, and daily life. It created a familiar presence that carried emotional weight for everyone in the household.

Judy Russ remembered how often her husband admired the tree and imagined it at Rockefeller Center. She explained,

“It just kind of opened up the conversation that this tree is big enough. If we need to rent a crane to decorate it, we have something big here.”

The idea began as a lighthearted conversation, yet it slowly turned into something the family hoped to fulfill.

Honoring a Loved One’s Dream Through the Rockefeller Christmas Tradition

Five years ago, Judy’s husband Dan died at age 32, and although his life ended too soon, his dream stayed with the family. Because of that, Judy felt determined to carry out what he imagined.

When workers lifted the tree from their property, Judy experienced something she never expected. A bald eagle soared overhead. She believed the moment offered a meaningful sign. As she shared,

“It just made us feel like Dan was there. If he was ever going to send some kind of symbol that he was guiding this tree out, giving us his blessing, giving the family’s blessing, it would be a bald eagle.”

 

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The sight moved her deeply, and it strengthened her belief that the family was honoring Dan in the right way.

A Tree Planted Nearly Eight Decades Ago with Lasting Family Meaning

Dan’s great-grandparents, Edward and Mattie May Doran, planted the spruce almost eighty years ago. Over time, the tree grew into a unique symbol of heritage rather than simply remaining part of the yard.

Here are examples of important family moments connected to the tree:

• Dan’s grandparents exchanged wedding vows nearby.
• His sister also held her wedding on the property years later.
• Dan and Judy welcomed their son Liam there, marking the fifth generation of family on the land.

These moments strengthened the tree’s meaning, and the family viewed it as a link between their past and future.

The Tree’s Emotional Journey to Rockefeller Center

When the crew transported the tree away, Judy felt both sadness and gratitude. She admitted that the yard looked unfamiliar and empty without it.

She said,

“I wasn’t prepared for how empty it would look.” However, the joy of sharing its story with millions eventually outweighed the loss.

The experience also brought comfort after Dan’s passing. Judy explained that seeing Rockefeller Center choose the tree helped fill a “massive hole” left in their family.

She later said,

“We are so thrilled that this family tree gets to be the world’s tree.” Her words captured the emotional mix of letting go and honoring something meaningful.

 

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Because of the family’s decision, millions now share in the light and story of the Russ family each holiday season.

Why This Rockefeller Christmas Tree Carries Powerful Holiday Meaning

The 2024 Rockefeller Christmas Tree stands as a symbol of love, remembrance, and dedication. It traveled from a quiet New York property to one of the most recognized holiday locations in the world, and its journey highlights the strength of honoring a dream.

Visitors who gather at Rockefeller Plaza experience more than a display of lights. They feel the emotion woven into the story of the Russ family. As a result, the tree inspires connection, compassion, and reflection.

This year’s tree shines with more than bright lights. It represents a living tribute to a family’s legacy and a reminder that traditions often carry the strongest emotional meaning.

You can watch more of Dan and Judy’s emotional story below.