Visiting New York at any time of year offers unforgettable experiences. But perhaps the most impressive is Christmas – when the entire city lights up with the sparkling glow of millions of decorative lights, and cheerful music fills the streets.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a symbol of New York during the Christmas season.
"The capital of the world "
New York is considered the "capital of the world" because it is the most linguistically diverse city in the world, with 800 languages spoken and immigrants making up 42% of its total population of 7.6 million (in 2024).
In New York, visitors can not only explore historical architecture intertwined with skyscrapers, but also immerse themselves in the vibrant and colorful life of neighborhoods with characteristics of many countries. These include the Financial District – home to the New York Stock Exchange and the iconic Charging Bull statue, a symbol of Wall Street; Chinatown, located not far from City Hall, where visitors can enjoy the best dim sum at Chinese restaurants; and right next to it, Little Italy – a miniature Italy, where Italian restaurants with famous dishes contribute to the city's diverse culinary scene.
New York boasts many unmissable attractions, such as Times Square – the heart of the "city that never sleeps," where the world-famous New Year's Eve celebration takes place annually. The Theatre District is home to Broadway – a dream destination for musical theater enthusiasts – and over 40 professional theaters, making it a leading performing arts center worldwide. Central Park is an 840-acre urban oasis and the most filmed location in the world.
The Empire State Building, the 45th tallest building in the world, is considered an economic and cultural icon of New York City. This 102-story skyscraper has appeared in 250 films and television shows. More than just an office building, the Empire State Building also serves as an observation deck offering some of the best views in Manhattan.
And the most anticipated destination in New York is the Statue of Liberty, located on the harbor off the coast of Manhattan. This 93-meter-tall bronze statue was inaugurated in 1886 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Visitors can admire the statue for free by taking the Staten Island ferry, but to climb to the top of the crown, visitors must purchase tickets months in advance and undergo strict security checks before ascending.
Enjoy a warm Christmas
Visiting New York at the end of the year, tourists cannot miss the opportunity to go to the heart of Manhattan - where the most anticipated event of the year takes place: the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held in early December, marking the beginning of the lively Christmas and New Year celebrations in Times Square.
The tradition of erecting a Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center began in December 1931, during the Great Depression. According to many accounts, workers, mostly Italian immigrants, pooled their money to buy a small tree to plant there. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has become an iconic image of New York during Christmas and New Year. Besides enjoying delicious food in restaurants and shopping at traditional Christmas markets, people also take the opportunity to ice skate at The Rink – a famous ice rink built below ground level, offering a romantic setting right beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
Legend has it that this ice rink was inspired by a skate salesman during the Great Depression who showcased his products by skating on the frozen surface of the Rockefeller Center fountain. This idea was realized with the construction of The Rink in 1936, which includes functions such as an ice rink and an upscale underground shopping center. With the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the famous Prometheus statue as a backdrop, many people come here to skate and capture memorable moments.
For 91 years, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has stood as a symbol of Christmas in New York City. Each year, a tree with a beautiful shape and size suitable for the Rockefeller Center plaza is selected. In 2024, the chosen tree was a Norwegian spruce tree sourced from the town of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This 70-year-old spruce tree is 22.5 meters tall, weighs 11 tons, and is decorated with over 50,000 multicolored LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star weighing over 400 kg, consisting of 70 glass spikes and covered with 3 million crystals, making its brightness so strong it can "turn night into day."
The traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony took place on December 4, 2024, and the tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight until mid-January 2025. Besides providing residents and visitors with warm and sparkling moments, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree also has a humanitarian "mission": after the holiday season ends, the tree is cut into logs and donated to Habitat for Humanity to help underprivileged families build homes. This tradition has been maintained since 2007 as a symbol of hope – the core spirit of Christmas.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/kham-pha-new-york-mua-giang-sinh-688169.html
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