Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP / Getty Images
A magnificent 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush will take center stage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony tonight in New York City. This iconic event, which marks the beginning of the holiday season, will feature the tree adorned with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star.
The tree lighting ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Hosted by Reba McEntire, the event will be followed by a country music-themed special, "Christmas in Nashville," hosted by Trisha Yearwood, which will air at 10 p.m.
The tree was donated by the Russ family from East Greenbush. Erik Pauze, the head gardener at Rockefeller Center, recognized the tree's potential after seeing it on the Russ family property. Judy Russ, whose husband Dan passed away in 2020, expressed that he would have been thrilled to see their tree become the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. "We always talked about it being the tree," she told NBC. Judy and her son Liam plan to attend the ceremony to witness their family's tree light up the plaza.
The tree will remain on display at Rockefeller Plaza until mid-January, attracting visitors from around the world to marvel at its beauty and the festive spirit it embodies.