The holiday season is more than just a time of year — it’s an electric, stunning force that completely transforms the city.
From the moment the first chilly breeze hits, a palpable wave of anticipation washes over NYC, culminating in some of the most spectacular displays in the world. The centerpiece of this entire transformation — and arguably the most famous Christmas tree on the planet — stands tall at Rockefeller Center. The arrival and preparation of the tree is a tradition steeped in history and an event that signals the official start of the holidays.
Now, the most crucial and dazzling piece of the holiday puzzle has been put in place: the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas tree star. Although the tree isn’t quite ready to shine just yet, take a peek over the construction reveals the star secured high above, ready to shine as a beacon for the season.
What you need to know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree topper
The star is a modern marvel of design and engineering, sparkling with an intensity that seems to capture the very spirit of New York at Christmastime. Designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the 2025 star was first introduced in 2018 and has quickly become an iconic part of the holiday landscape. Libeskind’s intention was for the star to be inspired by the beauty of starlight, a symbol that radiates hope, unity, and peace.
A TikTok reel captured by @chrizzztiiina shows the star in all of its glory and certainly has us ready to ring in the winter season.
It’s an object of incredible scale and complexity. The topper spans 9 feet and 4 inches in diameter and is a substantial piece of art, weighing approximately 900 pounds. The weight comes from its construction, which features a massive core of custom-machined aluminum. The entire structure is covered in a staggering array of more than 3 million dazzling Swarovski crystals. These crystals line the 70 illuminated spikes that radiate out from the core, creating a brilliant, sparkling effect when the star is switched on. When lit, it emits 106,400 lumens of white light, truly living up to its design inspiration of a radiant star.
The sheer logistics of placing this 900-pound object atop the tree, which is often an 80-plus-foot Norway spruce, is a feat of coordination that draws crowds even before the official lighting. The star’s placement signals that the final decorating is about to begin, which includes wrapping the tree in more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights.
Be sure to bookmark the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting — an event you can’t miss.