Kids Discover Talks with Television Lighting Designer Christopher Landy About the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
- December 9, 2025
- By Alice Knisley Matthias
“Five, four, three, two, ONE!” Light the tree!
The countdown to light the Rockefeller Tree is is watched by millions of television viewers on NBC and this year’s 75-foot-tall Norway spruce from East Greenbush, New York is 45 feet in diameter, weighs 11 tons and is decorated with 50,000 multicolored lights and a gleaming Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds!
Hours of preparation go into the selection, delivery and decorating of the tree in New York City that will have thousands of visitors viewing the landmark holiday tree with the gold statue of Prometheus at the base and skaters circling the rink below.
The lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is an annual televised event and this year viewers were entertained with performances by host Reba McEntire, Marc Anthony, Kristin Chenoweth, Brad Paisley, Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé and the high kicks and precision moves of the Radio City Rockettes.
Who makes everything look good for the television show on the big night? An experienced lighting designer and his team of professionals.
Kids Discover got a chance to go behind the scenes with Christopher Landy, a television lighting designer, and his company Vibrant Designs who create lighting designs for music and theatrical productions, celebrity interviews and talk show formats. Chris has made British royal princes and American Presidents look good with his lighting designs.
Photo Vibrant Design
Can you describe what you do in your job as a lighting designer?
I am a Television Lighting Designer. That means that I light everything you see on a TV show from the actors, musicians and the scenery and backgrounds. Unlike a live theatre show I have to light for the camera, which sees light differently than our eyes.
How does your company become involved with productions?
We have a long relationship with NBC and producers for shows like The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting telecast. We’ve gained the reputation for delivering a great product and being easy to work with on these projects and shows.
How many people are on your team for the television broadcast of the Rockefeller Tree Lighting special?
My team consists of three assistants. We have one Programmer who controls all the lights from the lighting board, one Gaffer who is the head electrician, three Best Boys who are assistants to the Gaffer, four Followspot operators and 20 Lighting Stagehands.
What does your team do?
We design and hang and program all the lights you see on a talk show, celebrity interview, a concert, music or theatre event, or television production.
Chris Landy pictured here with his Lighting Director Abby Wells in front of the Rockefeller Center Tree on the night of the television broadcast.
What are the challenges to make a show look good on television?
We need to light for the cameras. That includes the color intensity and cueing. There are 16 cameras that surround the stage and even a helicopter!
Every camera offers a different angle and perspective and the lighting needs to be adjusted for every shot. For an outdoor show like this we often are not able to see all of the lighting until it’s dark and we are on live television!
What is the craziest thing that could or has gone wrong?
Weather or a power outage! But we have a crew that’s the best in the business and are able to handle the most difficult situations.
What kind of lights are used in your designs?
We use all automated moving lights that are controlled by a computer console.
Are there any special requests for lighting the event?
The first and most important job is to make the Celebrity Talent look fantastic. For this show we light up the surrounding buildings to highlight NYC.
What do you do on the night of the tree lighting?
I am in the control room where I have to watch the show and monitor the lighting for each camera. I make adjustments as necessary by communicating with my team outside.
Chris Landy’s view from his booth on the night of the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center for the 2025 holiday season with a camera on a long crane and a monitor screen to follow the action.
Do you visit the Rockefeller Christmas tree during the holiday season?
Hope so!
After the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit daily from 5am to midnight on Center Plaza. Check the official Rockefeller Center website for more information.
