The famous Christmas tree in New York City's Rockefeller Center typically goes up in mid-November. The tradition of decorating a large evergreen tree in Rockefeller Center for the holiday season started in 1931. Over the years, the tree has become a symbol of Christmas in New York City and a beloved sight for millions of visitors. The tree is usually a Norway spruce, and it is decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights and ornaments. The lighting of the tree is a highly anticipated event, which usually takes place in late November or early December.