(Christmas) lights, camera — Action!
The beginning of “the most wonderful time of the year” is almost here as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived in New York and will be lit during NBC’s 91st lighting ceremony.
Every year, according to Journal of the Rockefeller Center, the tree — which is always a northern spruce — is chosen by the same person: Rockefeller Center’s head gardener, Erik Pauze. This year’s tree weighs about 12 tons, stands 80 feet tall and comes from Vestal, New York.
The tree will be decorated with 50,000 multi-colored lights (strung on approximately 5 miles of wire!) and topped with a 900-pound star with 70 points covered in 3 million Swarovski crystals.
While the lighting ceremony has been broadcast live around the world since 1951, the process of selecting and honoring the second tree to stand in Rockefeller Center has been an annual tradition for 90 years! (Though the COVID pandemic meant the lighting was closed to the public in 2020.)
The festivities will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson, who will perform TODAY hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker. In addition, a host of musical guests will spin around the Christmas tree.
Between how to watch and who else is performing, keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Rockefeller Center’s 2023 Christmas Tree Has Been Selected — See Photos!
How to watch the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony in 2023?
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While the square will eventually be open to the public and viewing times will be announced at a later date, Christmas at Rockefeller Center special is scheduled to air live on Wednesday, November 29 at 8:00 PM ET and available to stream on Peacock.
Who will perform at the 2023 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony?
There may be only one star on the tree, but there will be many stars on the stage! Between celebrity guests and musical performances, this fun evening will be far from a quiet night.
Host Kelly Clarkson will be joined by other performers throughout the evening. Among them are Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Cher, David Foster, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Katharine McPhee, Keke Palmer, Carly Pearce, Manuel Turizo and others.
Plus, the Radio City Rockettes will be making their Rockefeller comeback!
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The Rockettes at the 2019 Christmas Spectacular Steven Ferdman/Getty
What is the time to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree?
If you can’t make it to the ceremony and watch the lights go live, fear not! The tree will be on display at Rockefeller Center between West 49th and 50th Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues in New York City. While viewing time will be later, the tree will be lit 24 hours a day on Christmas Day.
When will the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree come down?
The exact date when the Rockefeller Christmas tree will come down has yet to be confirmed. More information will be provided in the coming weeks, according to Rockefeller Center’s official website.
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Source: HIS Education