NEW YORK (AP) — The iconic Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was lit by more than 50,000 multicolored lights as crowds massed in New York City for the holiday tradition.
The massive tree — a 12 ton, 80-foot-tall Norway spruce from upstate New York — was illuminated in Rockefeller Center by about five miles of LED string lights and topped with a 900-pound star covered in 3 million gleaming crystals.
An opening night ceremony in Manhattan featured appearances by Cher, Barry Manilow and Kelly Clarkson, among others. The Radio City Rockettes also performed.
Starting in the 1930s, the Christmas tree tradition has drawn thousands of visitors to the city each year during the holiday season.
The tree will remain lit from 5 a.m. to midnight every day until Jan. 13. On Christmas day, it'll be lit 24 hours.
