The 2012 Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting is here! The holidays are beginning and New York City is kicking it off on November 28 by lighting the iconic, massive tree right in the middle of Manhattan. NBC will be broadcasting the lighting live and they'll have plenty of performances by big stars leading up to the moment the tree is illuminated.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting occurs every year on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and has been televised since 1951. This year, NBC will broadcast the event at 8/7 central.
To make the event extra special, there will be live and pre-taped performances by Mariah Carey, Trace Adkins, CeeLo Green, Victoria Justice, Rod Steweart, Chris Mann, and Il Volo. Bette Midlet and Billy Crystal will also make an appearance and there will be many other performances.
The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was just 20 feet tall when the tradition started in the 1920's and bigger trees have been used ever since. This year the tree is 80 feet tall and 50 feet in diameter. It is estimated to be about 80 years old and weighs 10 tons.
The tree is decorated with 30,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights, and crowned by a Swarovski star. The entire thing will be lit up at the end of the event and will remain lit throughout the holiday season.
The lighting takes place at Rockefeller Plaza between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th and will draw thousands of spectators.
Not everyone will be able to see the event live, so the lighting will be broadcasted on NBC.
You may be able to catch the event Live here:
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
