The iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has arrived in New York City, and it comes with a touching backstory. Donated by the Russ family, the tree is a heartfelt tribute to Judy Russ’ late husband, Dan Russ. The Norwegian spruce weighs 11 tons, and its arrival marks the official start of the holiday season in the city!
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2025 Honours A Late Husband
Judy Russ is a resident of upstate New York, and she donated this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree as an ode to her late husband, Dan. He passed away at age 32 in 2020, and the tree grew on their Rensselaer County farmland for years. According to Hindustan Times, the 75-foot-tall Norwegian spruce, measuring 45 feet in diameter, was welcomed with hundreds of residents lining the sidewalks of New York City.
The couple shared a deep love for nature and the outdoors, making this year’s tree not just a symbol of the holiday season, but also of love, remembrance, and lasting legacy. While talking to NBC, Judy revealed that the couple wanted their tree to occupy Rockefeller Center during Christmas. She attended the event with her 7-year-old son, Liam. She mentioned that she was happy that New Yorkers would remember her late husband and family with this tree.
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Tree To Light Up On…
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree’s official lighting ceremony will take place on December 3. And Judy shared that she will be attending that event as well. According to the official website, the tree will be “wrapped with more than 50,000 multi-coloured, energy efficient LED lights” and will have a Swarovski star to make the tree Christmas-ready!
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will stay up until mid-January 2026, after which it will be milled into lumber and used by Habitat for Humanity. This iconic tree has been a part of New York’s Christmas celebrations for over 80 years! The tradition began in 1933, when Rockefeller Center made the tree’s installation and decoration an annual event.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, folks!
Cover Image Courtesy: website/rockefellercenter
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