NYC traffic alert: Rockefeller tree lighting to cause road closures next week

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City is preparing for road closures over the course of the coming week due to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The event could contribute to traffic, which is already heightened given the time of year. The city is officially under a holiday season gridlock alert from Nov. 19 through Jan. 2, 2026.

In addition to the tree lighting event, there will be two street renaming events held in the coming days.

As noted in the advisory from the NYPD, road closures will be at the discretion of the police.

Here are the upcoming road closures:

Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony

The tree lighting will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 7-10 p.m. The tree is located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, situated between West 49th and West 50th streets, and Fifth and Sixth avenues in Midtown Manhattan.

There may be road closures or other impacts on surrounding streets from Monday through Wednesday next week for the tree lighting event.

There is a special event construction embargo from Monday through Wednesday next week for the tree lighting.

Special event construction embargo from Dec. 1-3:

Locations:

46th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue47th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue48th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue49th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue50th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue51st Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue52nd Street between 5th Avenue and 6th AvenueRockefeller Plaza between 48th Street and 51st Street6th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street5th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street

Event day embargo on Dec. 3:

Locations:

Madison Avenue between 42nd Street and 57th Street6th Avenue between 42nd Street and 57th Street5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 57th StreetStreet renaming events

Additionally, there will be street renaming ceremonies held this weekend with no planned road closures.

On Saturday, Justin Diaz Way will be named at the northeast corner of Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens.

On Sunday, Isa Boletini Way will be named at the southwest corner of Oceanside and Buel avenues, in Ocean Breeze, Staten Island.