NEW YORK CITY — The holiday season officially began in Midtown Manhattan as Fox News Media hosted its sixth annual All-American Christmas Tree Lighting on November 21, 2025. Thousands gathered on Fox Square while millions watched from home as the massive tree — a towering symbol of celebration and charity — lit up the night sky.
According to coverage from Fox News and reporting by The Christian Beat, this year’s display is one of the most elaborate yet.
A Tree Built for Spectacle
Standing 50 feet tall, the All-American Christmas Tree is wrapped in more than 300,000 lights and decorated with nearly 20,000 ornaments, creating a vivid red-white-and-blue glow that has become a signature look for the annual event. At the top sits a six-foot illuminated dove, fitted with thousands of embedded LED lights, designed to symbolize peace and unity during the holiday season.
The lighting itself was broadcast as a special edition of The Five, with Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Jessica Tarlov, and guest co-host Lawrence Jones leading the festivities.
Music That Filled the Square
The night’s headline performance came from Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin, who delivered live renditions of classic carols including “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” A large choir accompanied him, bringing a traditional, warm, and spiritual tone to the ceremony.
(Source: The Christian Beat)
Messages of Faith and Hope
The lighting included reflections from religious leaders such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rev. Franklin Graham, and Rabbi Kalman Samuels, each offering brief messages centered on compassion, hope, and generosity — themes that have long been woven into the event.
(Source: Fox News)
Charity Front and Center
A major emphasis this year was giving back. Fox News partnered again with Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child) and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots, encouraging attendees and viewers to donate gifts and support families in need during the holiday season.
(Source: The Christian Beat)
Fans Get a Holiday Surprise
Ahead of the event, a sweepstakes offered several lucky fans an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to attend the ceremony in person — a story highlighted in a Yahoo News video segment. Winners were invited to join the crowd on Fox Square, adding an interactive element to the nationwide celebration.
A Bright Kickoff to the Season
With its mix of patriotic styling, traditional music, charitable outreach, and family-friendly atmosphere, the All-American Christmas Tree Lighting once again served as a major cultural moment heading into December. For New Yorkers and televised viewers alike, it marked not only the illumination of a spectacular tree but the beginning of a season defined by community, generosity, and joy.
