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The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was illuminated in a dazzling ceremony in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday night. The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce, adorned with 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski crystal star, hails from East Greenbush, New York, and was donated by the Russ family. The tree lighting event was broadcast live on NBC and Peacock, marking the official start of the holiday season.
The ceremony featured performances from a star-studded lineup, including Marc Anthony, Michael Bublé, Gwen Stefani, and Brad Paisley, among others. Reba McEntire hosted the event, which also included appearances by NBC "TODAY" anchors Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, and Al Roker. The Radio City Rockettes, celebrating their 100th anniversary, wowed the audience with their precision dancing.
The GoldN'Blues student choir from Franklin, New Jersey, also took the stage, adding a local touch to the festivities. The tree will remain lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight throughout the holiday season, with extended hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. After the holidays, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, continuing a tradition of using its lumber to build homes.
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