Rockefeller Tree Lighting 2026: Road Closures and Parking Near Rockefeller Center
Driving to the tree lighting?
There is no event parking at Rockefeller Center. Book a garage outside the closed blocks before December 2. Need a monthly spot in Midtown? Call (929) 619-9960.
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The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting is on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. On that afternoon, the NYPD closes about seven blocks of Midtown to cars. Crowds fill the streets for hours, and cars inside the zone can get stuck until the barriers come down.
This guide covers the Rockefeller tree lighting road closures, where to park outside the zone, what tolls to expect and how to see the tree later in the season. City rules and garage prices below were checked on November 8, 2026.
Dec 2
Lighting night, a Wednesday
46th–52nd
Streets closed between 5th and 6th Ave
$27
Cheapest garage outside the zone, 2–11 p.m.
$9
Congestion toll for a car before 9 p.m.
Quick answer
For the Rockefeller tree lighting on December 2, 2026, expect closures on 46th to 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. Fifth and Sixth Avenue also close from 46th to 52nd Street, plus Rockefeller Plaza. Closures usually start in the mid-afternoon. Park outside that box, such as at 55 W 54th Street, and walk in.
When Is the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2026?
The 2026 lighting is on Wednesday, December 2. It airs live as “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC and Peacock. The tree comes on near the end of the show, at about 10 p.m.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, December 2, 2026 |
| Show time | Evening broadcast on NBC. In 2025 the show started at 8 p.m. and the tree lit just before 10 p.m. NBC has not confirmed 2026 times yet. |
| Cost | Free. There are no public tickets. Viewing spots are first come, first served. |
| Crowds | People start lining up around noon. Police open viewing pens in the late afternoon. |
| The tree | A Norway spruce from West Edmeston, New York. It arrived on November 7 and carries more than 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski star. |
| Where | 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between 49th and 50th Street, Midtown Manhattan |
Rockefeller Tree Lighting Road Closures 2026
The NYPD posts the official closure list a day or two before the lighting. The list below is the one police used for the 2025 lighting. Expect the same pattern on December 2, 2026.
- Cross streets: 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th, 50th, 51st and 52nd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue
- Fifth Avenue: from 46th to 52nd Street
- Sixth Avenue: from 46th to 52nd Street
- Rockefeller Plaza: from 48th to 51st Street
To be confirmed
These are expected closures, based on the 2025 NYPD list. Closures often begin around 3 p.m. and last until the crowds clear, near midnight. Some years, police also limit traffic toward Madison Avenue. We will update this page when the NYPD posts the 2026 list.
Tap to load the map. Red area: expected closures. Blue: garages outside the zone. Green: subway stations.
Closures that last all season
The lighting is one night, but the crowds stay until January. In the 2025 season, the city made these changes:
- 49th and 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue were open to people only, every day from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., through January 4.
- Fifth Avenue went car-free from 48th to 57th Street on one December Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m.
- Gridlock Alert Days: NYC DOT named 12 weekdays in December 2025. The lighting day was one of them.
Expect a similar plan in 2026. Check NYC DOT for the dates before you drive in.
Parking Near Rockefeller Center for the Tree Lighting
The rule for lighting night is simple: park outside the closed box. A garage on a closed block may not let you drive out until police reopen the street. Book ahead, since Midtown garages fill early on December evenings.
| Garage | Type | Price, 2–11 p.m. | Walk to the tree |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 W 54th St (1350 6th Ave) | Valet | About $27 | 8 min |
| 143 W 52nd St | Valet | About $32, plus fees | 8 min |
| 205 W 51st St | Self-park | About $37 | 8 min |
| 164 W 46th St (1540 Broadway) | Valet | About $38 | 9 min |
| 12 W 53rd St (660 5th Ave) | Garage | About $39 | 6 min |
| 50 W 44th St | Valet | About $39 | 9 min |
Prices are SpotHero rates for 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, checked on November 8, 2026. Rates change often, and garages add tax. Confirm the price and closing time before you book.
Best value: 55 W 54th Street
This valet garage sits under 1350 Sixth Avenue, two blocks north of the closed zone. It was the cheapest garage near the tree for lighting night. You exit onto 54th Street, which stays open.
Closest: 12 W 53rd Street
This garage is a 6-minute walk from the tree. It sits on 53rd Street, one block north of the last closed street. Leave by heading east or west on 53rd, not south.
West side picks: 51st, 52nd and 46th Street
Garages at 143 W 52nd Street, 205 W 51st Street and 164 W 46th Street sit west of Sixth Avenue. From there, you can leave by Seventh or Eighth Avenue and skip the jam on Fifth and Sixth.
Avoid on lighting night
Skip garages on 46th to 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, such as 38 W 46th Street or 31 W 52nd Street. Those blocks close to cars. Your car may be stuck until about midnight.
Good to know
Work or live in Midtown? December is the hardest month to find a spot. A monthly space ends the daily search. Tell us your block, car and hours, and a parking partner will send options.
Driving In: Routes, Tolls and Timing
- Congestion toll: Rockefeller Center sits inside the Manhattan toll zone. A car pays $9 with E-ZPass from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. The overnight rate is $2.25.
- Avoid Fifth and Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 57th Street from mid-afternoon on.
- Use Seventh Avenue to head south and Eighth Avenue to head north. Both stay open.
- Arrive before 3 p.m. Park before the closures start, then walk.
- Leaving: wait 30 to 45 minutes after the tree lights. Streets reopen slowly, and the first rush is the worst.
Coming from New Jersey? The Lincoln Tunnel puts you near 40th Street on the west side. The west side garages above are the easiest from there.
Is There Street Parking Near Rockefeller Center?
Almost none on lighting night. Most Midtown curbs are for trucks, buses or hotels during the day. Police also post no-parking signs along the closed blocks.
- Truck zones: “No Standing Except Trucks Loading and Unloading” signs cover much of Midtown. A car parked there gets a $95 ticket. See our truck parking rules guide.
- Meters: many Midtown meters run into the evening. Read the meter sign for its hours.
- Hydrants: there is no painted curb. Stay 15 feet away, or pay $115. See our fire hydrant ticket guide.
- Temporary signs: police tape paper “No Parking” signs to poles before big events. Cars left there get towed.
Subway and Rideshare
The subway is the easiest way in on lighting night. Some station exits can close for crowd control, so allow extra time.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| B, D, F, M trains | 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center, under Sixth Avenue. The closest stop. |
| E, M trains | 5 Av/53 St. About a 5-minute walk south to the tree. |
| N, Q, R, W trains | 49 St at Seventh Avenue. About a 7-minute walk east. |
| 1 train | 50 St at Broadway. About a 10-minute walk east. |
| Uber or taxi | Set your drop-off at Seventh Avenue and 50th Street, or Madison Avenue and 53rd Street. Cars cannot reach the plaza. |
Seeing the Tree After December 2
The tree stays up until mid-January 2027. Parking and crowds are much easier on other days.
| When | Hours (based on 2025) |
|---|---|
| Most days | 5 a.m. to midnight |
| Christmas Eve | Lit for 24 hours |
| New Year’s Eve | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Last day | Mid-January 2027. Rockefeller Center will post the date. |
- Quietest: early morning, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., or late at night after 10 p.m.
- Busiest: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and all of December weekends.
- Cheapest parking: garage rates in Midtown drop after the evening rush. A late-night visit often costs less.
Tips for Lighting Night
- Book your garage early. Pick one outside the closed box, and save the booking on your phone.
- Arrive by 3 p.m. Park before the closures start. Good viewing spots fill by late afternoon.
- Pack light. Crowds are tight, and you may stand in one spot for hours.
- Dress warm. You may stand outside for six hours or more.
- Plan your exit. Walk west to Seventh Avenue or north to 53rd Street before you look for a cab.
Rockefeller Tree Lighting Parking FAQ
What streets are closed for the Rockefeller tree lighting 2026?
Based on the 2025 NYPD list, expect closures on 46th to 52nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue. Fifth and Sixth Avenue close from 46th to 52nd Street, and Rockefeller Plaza closes from 48th to 51st Street. The NYPD confirms the list a day or two before.
What time is the Rockefeller Center tree lighting in 2026?
The lighting is on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. It airs live on NBC and Peacock in the evening. In 2025, the show started at 8 p.m. and the tree lit just before 10 p.m.
Do you need tickets for the Rockefeller tree lighting?
No. The lighting is free, and there are no public tickets. Viewing spots on the street are first come, first served. Many people arrive around noon.
Where can I park for the Rockefeller tree lighting?
Park outside the closed blocks. Good options include 55 W 54th Street, 12 W 53rd Street and 143 W 52nd Street. Prices for lighting night started at about $27 when we checked on November 8.
When do the streets close for the tree lighting?
Closures usually start in the mid-afternoon, around 3 p.m., and last until the crowds clear near midnight. Arrive and park before 3 p.m.
What subway goes to the Rockefeller Center tree?
Take the B, D, F or M train to 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center. The E and M trains stop at 5 Av/53 St, and the N, Q, R and W stop at 49 St.
What are the Rockefeller tree viewing hours?
In 2025, the tree was lit from 5 a.m. to midnight most days. It stayed lit all day on Christmas Eve and went dark at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Expect similar hours in 2026.
Is there street parking near Rockefeller Center?
Very little. Most curbs in Midtown are truck loading zones or metered spaces, and police add no-parking signs on lighting night. A garage is the safer choice.
Need Parking in Midtown?
The tree draws crowds for six weeks. If you drive to Midtown often, a monthly spot saves time and money.
- Monthly spot: call or email us with your block, car and budget.
- Lighting night: use the garage list above.
- More holiday guides: Times Square New Year’s Eve parking, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade road closures, Dyker Heights Christmas lights parking and our NYC parking guide.
Sources
We checked closure reports, city rules and garage prices on November 8, 2026. Closures for 2026 are expected, not yet confirmed.
- FOX 5 New York, 2025 tree lighting street closures and tree hours
- CBS New York, 2025 Rockefeller Center tree lighting
- Time Out New York, 2026 tree lighting date
- NY1, the 2026 Rockefeller Center tree
- NY1, 2025 holiday street changes on Fifth Avenue
- ABC7, NYC Gridlock Alert Days 2025
- MTA, Congestion Relief Zone tolls
- SpotHero, garage rates near Rockefeller Center
