The official start of the holiday season means something different to everyone. It could be simply digging out your sweaters and Christmas pajamas. For some, all they need is to hear Mariah Carey say, “It’s Time!” and the Christmas carols start blaring. For others, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and seeing Santa Claus at the very end kicks off the season. And plenty mark the official start of the holiday season with the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. This evening is always a star-studded event that feels very much a part of Americana. This year’s event included performances by The Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, Megan Hilty, Little Big Town, Thalia, RAYE, and the Radio City Rockettes. The music and dancing led up to the incredible moment the tree lit up with 50,000 multicolored bulbs.
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With all the craziness surrounding the Hitman NYPD is searching for it’s nice to see a yearly tradition The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting was still grand as ever! 🔥#NYPD #NewYork
— Lucky13 (@13isLucky13) December 5, 2024
pic.twitter.com/9WCuIaDiMi
This Year’s Tree Lighting At Rockefeller Center Was Particularly Special
According to Entertainment Tonight, the origin story of this year’s New York City stunner is a tearjerker.
“The tree was planted by husband and wife, Earl and Leslie Albert, in 1967 in their Massachusetts yard, and the husband says getting to donate the tree for Christmas just a few years after Leslie’s death is one of the greatest honors of his life,” the post reads.
The tree is a beauty indeed. According to NBC News, the tree is 74 feet tall, 43 feet wide, and weighs 11 tons. It sparkles with 50,000 bulbs and more than 5 miles of wire. The tree has a 900-pound star made of 3 million crystals covering 70 spikes. It is truly a site to see.
The Rockefeller Center tree lighting is like no other, just ask Flava Fave, who was there spreading Christmas joy. He posted on X, “Christmas in the city…ain’t nothing like the Rockefeller tree lighting.”
Christmas in the city,,, ain’t nothing like the Rockefeller tree lighting . 🫶🏾@rockcenternyc pic.twitter.com/NgceNqrHMh
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) December 5, 2024
The story’s featured image can be found here.
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