Fifty-thousand twinkling lights illuminated Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas tree Wednesday evening, marking the start of the holiday season in New York City, The Associated Press reports.
Cheers erupted from the large crowd gathered to witness the annual tradition.
This year’s 74-foot Norway spruce, a majestic tree hailing from the small Massachusetts town of West Stockbridge, was transported to Rockefeller Plaza after being selected in 2020 by the center’s head gardener. The tree’s journey culminated in Wednesday night’s ceremony, which featured the dazzling spectacle of its 50,000 multi-colored lights and a Swarovski star crown boasting 3 million crystals.
The tree-lighting ceremony took place amidst heightened security following a shooting earlier that day in midtown Manhattan, just blocks from Rockefeller Center. Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey announced a “massive presence” of police officers, including increased patrols in the subway system.
The famous holiday attraction, located above the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink, will remain on display through mid-January. A special 24-hour lighting is planned for Christmas Day. Following the holiday season, the tree will be repurposed as lumber for Habitat for Humanity.
