Each winter, New York slips into its most iconic attire: the towering Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the ice rink at its feet. Two global symbols whose story—both humble and spectacular—captures the spirit of the city. Here’s a look back at the creation, evolution, and worldwide impact of this legendary duo.
Every legend has a humble beginning : In 1931, during the harsh years of the Great Depression, construction workers at the Rockefeller Center set up a small Christmas tree paid for with their own money. It was a simple act of hope, meant to lift their spirits amid economic hardship.
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This modest tree, decorated with handmade garlands, would later be recognized as the first chapter of a legendary holiday tradition. Only decades later did its photo resurface, charming the public with its authenticity.
From workers’ gesture to national tradition
In 1933, the first official tree-lighting ceremony took place. Crowds gathered in the plaza, drawn by the magic of lights illuminating the city’s winter darkness.
As the decades passed, the tree grew in size and in symbolic power.
Broadcasting the event on television in the 1950s transformed it into a nationwide moment, watched by millions. Today, the annual lighting has become a global spectacle, cementing the Rockefeller tree as one of the world’s most recognizable holiday symbols.
The ice rink: from small attraction to global icon
The ice rink opened in 1936, originally envisioned as a temporary winter attraction meant to increase foot traffic. But its popularity was immediate and overwhelming.
Over the years, the rink has appeared in films, commercials, and postcards, shaping the world’s cinematic image of New York during the holidays. Whether it’s a couple skating hand-in-hand or families enjoying a winter outing, the Rockefeller ice rink remains one of the city’s most beloved seasonal experiences.
