NEW YORK — A festive crowd gathered at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday night for the much-anticipated annual holiday tree lighting. The event commenced as scheduled, even in the wake of a tragic incident earlier that day when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot just a few blocks away.
Singer Kelly Clarkson hosted the ceremony, which kicked off at 8 p.m. and featured live music with performances from popular acts like the Backstreet Boys. The moment everyone had been waiting for — the lighting of the tree — occurred just before 10 p.m.
Attendees began arriving early, queuing as early as 4 p.m. along Sixth Avenue at 48th Street and 51st Street. The Eller family, visiting from North Carolina, shared the excitement of celebrating the holidays in New York for the first time with their young children, ages 6, 4, and 1. Tia Eller remarked on the atmosphere, “They did really good. We got them to stop screaming. It was really awesome.”
Josie Free from Alabama expressed her delight, saying, “I always watch it on TV and record it, so it’s exciting.” Meanwhile, her relative Tracey Free commented on the visual splendor of the lights.
Viewing details for the iconic tree reveal that it will be illuminated daily from 5 a.m. to midnight through mid-January. On Christmas Eve, the lights will shine for a full 24 hours, and on New Year’s Eve, they’ll be lit from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. Visitors can find the tree at 30 Rockefeller Center, situated between West 49th and West 50th Streets. Those traveling by public transit are recommended to use the 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center stop on the B, D, F, and M lines.
For those wishing to experience the ice skating rink or the observation decks, tickets are available for purchase. A VIP pass, priced over $300, offers an exclusive up-close tour of the tree along with a champagne toast.
This year’s breathtaking Norway Spruce hails from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, marking the first tree selection from that state since 1959. The tree, approximately 70 years old, stands an impressive 74 feet tall and weighs 11 tons. It is adorned with over 50,000 vibrant lights strung across five miles of wire, topped with a majestic Swarovski star weighing 900 pounds, encrusted with 3 million crystals.
The Rockefeller Center tree lighting tradition has been cherished since 1931, starting when workers collected funds to purchase a Christmas tree and decorate it with homemade garlands. The first official tree lighting ceremony took place two years later, with December 1999 holding the record for the tallest tree at 100 feet, sourced from Killingworth, Connecticut.
As holiday festivities continue, this year’s celebration serves as a reminder of community spirit and resilience, transforming a challenging day into a beautiful gathering full of joy and warmth.
Overall, the lighting ceremony not only brightens the City but also the hearts of people who come together to celebrate the holiday season.