Luke Bartolo ‘27
EE Staff Writer
Every year, millions of people walk by the world famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City. The way that New York comes together to kickoff this special tradition is with the annual tree lighting ceremony.
On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, NBC and Rockefeller Center hosted the 91st Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast, hosted by Kelly Clarkson from The Kelly Clarkson Show, with other segments hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin from the Today show. The 2 hour main telecast featured star-studded performances from people like Kelly Clarkson, Keke Palmer, Cher, Barry Manilow, and (of course) the Radio City Rockettes.
According to TVLine, an average of 6.1 million people tuned in to the annual Christmas special last year, which brings in holiday cheer for everyone.
This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree came from Vestal, New York, and is an 80-foot tall Norway Spruce. On November 11, the tree arrived by truck in Rockefeller Plaza, it was raised in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and was covered in scaffolding for workers to string on 50,000 multicolored LED lights. A 900 pound, 9-feet in diameter Swarovski crystal star was placed atop of the spruce, designed in 2018 by architect Daniel Libeskind.
Shortly before 10:00 PM, the hosts gathered on the rink level of Rockefeller Center, under the tree, announcing that it was time to turn on the 50,000 lights. Behind the gigantic gold and white were the people who did the honors of lighting the tree: Chairman of Tishman Speyer, Jerry Speyer; CEO, Rob Speyer; and New York City Mayor, Eric Adams.
The hosts led a drumroll, as purple and blue lights started flashing against the tree, and a 5-second countdown had begun. At the end of the countdown, the crowd went silent, the button was pressed, and the tree was lit! Right after the tree turned on, a choir sang Joy to the World, and the hosts thanked our country’s armed forces.
The McGinley family, who donated the tree, was also on stage, and took in the moment that their beautiful home tree turned into the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
It was a spectacular night, and a great way to start the holiday season.