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2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Manhattan
(New York, NY) — The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting takes place tonight in Midtown. Some say this officially marks the start of the holiday season in New York City. This year’s 75-foot-tall Norway spruce was donated by a family in East Greenbush, New York and will be adorned with 50-thousand LED lights. They also spruce (pun intended) the tree with branch extensions to make it look even more glamourous. In addition, the tree is topped with a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star.
The tree lighting has turned into a national event, with a star-studded production that’s broadcast on NBC. The event, hosted for the first time by country music star Reba McEntire, will include performances by Michael Buble, Halle Bailey, Gwen Stefani and the Radio City Rockettes, who are celebrating their 100th anniversary. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early because they expect large crowds and security checkpoints. There’s also many street closures around Rockefeller Center.
The countdown starts shortly before 10 p.m., when they flip on the switch that brings the tree’s lights to life. The tree stays illuminated from early morning through midnight and on Christmas Day it will shine around the clock. It will also stay up through mid-January, when the tree will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity, continuing a long-standing tradition of giving back..
