Thousands gathered at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday night for the much-anticipated annual holiday tree lighting ceremony. The event proceeded as planned despite a tragic shooting earlier that day involving UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson just a few blocks away.
Hosted by Kelly Clarkson, the ceremony featured live performances, including a special appearance by the Backstreet Boys, and officially began at 8 p.m., culminating in the lighting of the tree just before 10 p.m. Attendees began lining up as early as 4 p.m. to secure their spots along 48th and 51st Streets on Sixth Avenue.
Families like the Eller family, who traveled from North Carolina, were thrilled to be part of this festive occasion. Tia Eller expressed her delight, noting that their children, ages 6, 4, and 1, did well amidst the large crowd. Josie Free from Alabama shared her excitement, saying she often watches the event on TV and was eager to experience it in person this year.
Visitors can now enjoy the illuminated tree, which will be lit daily from 5 a.m. to midnight through mid-January. It will be uniquely lit for 24 hours on Christmas Eve and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The tree is located at 30 Rockefeller Center, and those traveling by mass transit can access it via the 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center stop on the B, D, F, and M lines.
This year’s tree, a Norway Spruce from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, is about 70 years old, stands 74 feet tall, and weighs an impressive 11 tons. It is beautifully decorated with over 50,000 lights strung along five miles of wire, and topped with a stunning Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds and is adorned with 3 million crystals.
The tradition of the Rockefeller Center tree lighting began in 1931 when a group of workers contributed to purchase and decorate a modest 20-foot tree. Notably, December 1999 marked the record for the largest tree, which measured 100 feet tall.
As holiday festivities continue, the Rockefeller Center tree shines brightly, symbolizing hope and joy during a season that unites families and friends, motivating many to embrace the spirit of togetherness despite any nearby challenges.
Summary: The annual Rockefeller Center tree lighting in New York City went ahead as planned, attracting thousands of spectators. Despite an earlier incident nearby, attendees enjoyed live performances and witnessed the ceremonial lighting of the tree, a 74-foot Norway Spruce adorned with over 50,000 lights and topped with a stunning star. The tree lighting tradition has been a holiday staple since 1931, inspiring joy and togetherness during the festive season.