The 8 most beautiful Christmas trees in New York

If you happen to be in New York City in December, and more precisely during the Christmas and New Year periods, then you will get to enjoy a unique atmosphere and a truly unforgettable experience. Among the must-see discoveries to make in New York during the festive season are of course the city's decorations – and especially the most beautiful Christmas trees in New York 🎄🎄🎄

You will be able to discover the incredible decorations of Dyker Heights, the magnificent windows of the department stores, but also what this article is all about: the most beautiful Christmas trees in New York City.

Most beautiful Christmas trees in New York: the Rockefeller Center's tree

Let's start right away with New York’s most iconic Christmas tree: a Norway spruce nearly 25 metres tall that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Ever since 1931, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is put up every year around mid-November, and its decoration is the kick-off to the holiday season for the city's residents. If you're not sure what to do in New York in December, the Rockefeller Center is a good place to start!

The tree is decorated with over 50,000 LED lights (and over 5 miles of cable) and the star at the top weighs over 400 kilos 🌟 Its lighting up is such a big event that it is even broadcast live on television.

If you're in New York at the end of the year, there's no excuse not to visit what is probably the most famous Christmas tree in the world. What’s more, at the foot of the tree you will also find the city's most iconic ice rink ⛸️

Washington Square Park's Christmas tree

This tree, which stands in front of the arch in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village (south Manhattan), is also one of the most beautiful in New York City. At nearly 50 feet tall, it is also one of the largest Christmas trees in the city.

Square Park is a particularly pleasant and lively park all year round, due to its proximity to New York University. During the Christmas season, the atmosphere there is very pleasant indeed. On 24 December at 5 p.m. you can even go and listen to the carolers who gather there to perform Christmas classics.

Most beautiful Christmas trees in New York: Wall Street's tree

Every year for a century now, one of the city's largest Christmas trees has stood in the Financial District, opposite the New York Stock Exchange on Broad Street (between Exchange Place and Wall Street). It was the very first tree to be electrically lit 💡

Although admittedly much less iconic than the one in Rockefeller Center, the Wall Street Christmas tree is still one of the city's most beautiful – especially when it is lit up after dark, as are the columns of the Exchange building.

Madison Square Park's Christmas tree

Christmas trees are often a matter of tradition – and such is definitely the case here, as Madison Square Park was the site of the very first public Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the United States in 1912. It therefore holds a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers.

Madison Square Park is located in the heart of Manhattan, at the foot of the famous Flatiron Building and a stone's throw from the Empire State Building. At the end of the year, you can see a superb Norwegian spruce tree, almost 10 metres high, with a relatively simple decoration – especially compared to other Christmas trees in New York. This Christmas tree is however sublimated by the lighting of the buildings in the background.

Bryant Park's Christmas tree

Bryant Park is one of New York's biggest attractions during the holiday season, thanks in part to its stunning Christmas tree. Decorated with over 3,000 items and 30,000 LED lights, what makes it even more magnificent is the setting it is placed in – with towering skyscrapers in the background and a beautiful ice rink in the foreground.

In fact, a whole spectacle is organised during its lighting ceremony, with very famous skaters demonstrating their talent on the ice. In addition, the tree is located in the heart of the Bryant Park Christmas Market, The Bank of America Winter Village, which is one of the city's most popular Christmas markets. There you can find around 150 different stalls. It's the perfect place to find souvenirs to bring back from your trip to New York.

Most beautiful Christmas trees in New York: the MET's tree

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is one of the most important art museums in the world. With over 2 million works of art in its collections, a visit to the museum ought to be on your agenda – especially since a magnificent Christmas tree is on display there during the holiday season.

The installation of this 6-metre high Colorado blue spruce is a whole tradition. It is placed in the museum's mediaeval sculpture room, overlooking a magnificent 18th-century baroque nativity scene and in front of a choir screen from Valladolid Cathedral.

The American Museum of Natural History's Christmas tree

The Origami Holiday Tree is the name of the Christmas tree that can be seen at the American Museum of Natural History. This tree is about 4 metres high and not the most impressive, but it is without a doubt one of the most original you will see in New York.

It is indeed decorated entirely with origami – handmade folds of coloured paper – and each year the theme is different. In total, more than 1,000 origami creations decorate the tree, some of which pay tribute to the museum's most iconic pieces.

Central Park Christmas trees

Central Park is obviously one of New York's must-see places, no matter when you visit the city. In December, you will also get to see some beautiful decorations, especially on the Harlem Meer – the artificial lake located in the north-east of the park.

This lake is home to the Central Park Floating Christmas Trees, a group of colourful trees on a small floating platform. Not to be forgotten are the beautiful decorations of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, the visitor centre located right on the lake 🤩

Now you know the most beautiful Christmas trees in New York that you should not miss if you have chosen the holiday season for your stay in New York! I hope you will enjoy discovering them as much as I did.

Speaking of your stay, if you're in the middle of planning your trip but still don't know Where to sleep in New York, do read my dedicated article on the matter. It’s sure to help you out! 😁