Snowy weather may be coming up. But something else is in the air too. It’s Christmas! On the night of November 29, a special tree lit up. New York City’s famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree gleamed!
The first Rockefeller tree arrived in the early 1930s during America’s . Over the years, this heartwarming tradition became a holiday favorite. For the 2023 event, thousands of people gathered. Visitors came from around the world. And millions more watched the event on TV!
Many famous people showed up. Singer Kelly Clarkson was the host. Musicians including Barry Manilow, John Legend, and Cher performed! A dance group called the Radio City Rockettes took the stage too. The dancers kicked their legs high in the air!
Finally, it was time to light the tree. The 80-foot-tall (22 m) Norway spruce tree was ready to shine! New York City mayor Eric Adams helped push the button. And with that, more than 50,000 LED lights brightened up the night. They were powered by on the roofs of nearby buildings!
The tree will stay through the holiday season. After that, it will have a new purpose. A charity group called Habitat for Humanity will use its wood to make houses for people in need. That way, this tree’s warmth will live on long after Christmas.
Updated November 30, 2023, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Ryan Cramer