Holiday tree lighting ceremonies in New York City

Rockefeller Center Tree
The lighting of this 72-foot-tall Norway spruce kicks off the holiday season with celebrity entertainment and a crush of onlookers. Prepare to be dazzled by both the tree and the sheer number of people. FREE 30 Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Sts (212-632-3975). Daily 5:30am–11:30pm (lighting: Wed 2 at 8:55pm). Through Jan 9.

Madison Square Park Tree
In 1912, this park lit the first community Christmas tree in America. According to Maggi Landau of the park’s conservancy, a wealthy local organized the ceremony when a visitor told him of “his loneliness…during the holiday season.” The lighting retains its neighborly vibe, with free cocoa and a cappella groups. FREE Madison Square Park, 26th St at Fifth Ave (212-538-1884). Daily 24hrs (lighting: Dec 8 at 4:30pm). Through Jan 4.

Park Avenue Memorial Trees
These were first lit in 1945, in remembrance of soldiers killed in World War II. Now they stretch from the MetLife building to 96th Street, and the ceremony includes music from Brick Church’s pipe organ. “To see Park Avenue filled with people singing makes this big city feel like a small town,” says music director Keith Toth. FREE Park Ave at 91st St (212-289-4400). Daily 24hrs (lighting: Dec 6 at 6:30pm).

AMNH’s Origami Holiday Tree
Look for letters C, S, and T, and their corresponding creatures—a chimpanzee, a sabertooth tiger, and of course, a T. Rex—among the 500-plus origami ornaments dressing this 13-foot-tall tree. This year’s theme is “Origami, A-Z.” and the ornaments were made by by volunteers from more than 20 countries. American Museum of Natural History, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5200, amnh.org). Daily 10am–5:45pm. Suggested donation $9–$16, children under 2 free. Through Jan 3. See a slide show of the ornaments here

Brooklyn Borough Hall Tree
“The fir remains green throughout the year,” says Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Most Brooklynites are kind of like that tree: We hail from nearly a hundred nations [yet] we are the global model for living in harmony.” You heard the man. Now get thee to Borough Hall, for a multi-cultural tree-lighting ceremony with refreshments to follow. FREE Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St at Court St, Downtown Brooklyn (visitbrooklyn.org). Daily 24hrs (lighting: Dec 8 at 5:30pm). Through Jan 7.

The New York Botanical Garden
Get back to nature at this early lighting, and take in the winter wonderland of the New York Botanical Garden. After the conifer gets lit at the Reflecting Pool, you can join the Westchester Chordsmen in an old-fashioned sing-along of tunes from just about every tradition. Saturday, November 21 at 4pm. Kazimiroff Blvd at Fordham Rd, Bronx (718-817-8700, nybg.org). $20, students and seniors $18, children ages 2–12 $8, children under 2 free; event free with garden admission.

South Street Seaport
Attend one of the first major tree lightings of the season and watch the 50-foot Douglas fir light up the cobblestone streets. Then you can “Deck the Halls” at the docks as the Big Apple Chorus, a group of barbershop doo-woppers, harmonize holiday carols. Lighting: Nov 27 at 6pm. Big Apple Chorus performs every Fri at 6, 7pm; Sat, Sun at 3, 4pm. South Street Seaport, Fulton St at South St (212-732-7678, southstreetseaport.com Through Dec. 27.

Carl Schurz Park
At this outdoor gathering, you can indulge in gratis hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes; and fa-la-la along with the Young People’s Chorus of NYC as they sing both traditional carols and new arrangements. Lighting: Dec 13 at 5pm. Carl Schurz Park, East End Ave at 86th St (212-459-4455, carlschurzparknyc.org).

Metropolitan Museum of Art with the Neapolitan Baroque Crèche
The institution’s yearly stunner is a candlelit, angel- and cherub-adorned blue spruce that towers above the 18th-century Neapolitan Baroque Crèche. Seasonal music rounds out the display. Lighting: Nov 24. 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-535-7710, metmuseum.org). Suggested contribution $20. Through Jan 6.

Peace Tree at the Cathedral Church of St. John Divine
More than 1,000 paper cranes created by origami expert Lore Schirokauer decorate the tree. This 28-year-old tradition was inspired by the children’s book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, the real-life story of an atomic bomb survivor who attempted to fold 1,000 cranes—the traditional Asian symbol of long life, happiness and peace—before she died of leukemia at age 11. Lighting: Dec 18 at 11am. Through Dec 31. 1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th St (212-316-7490, stjohndivine.org)

New York Stock Exchange
Lighting: Dec 10 at 3pm. More info to come.

See more Holidays in NYC