New York, Nov. 30. The emblematic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York was lit up tonight, ushering in the city’s festive season, an event that brought together hundreds of people despite the rainy and cold weather.
The lighting ceremony, which has been held for 90 years and televised, featured Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Andrea Bocelli and the Rockettes, the famous dancers on Radio City’s Christmas show, performing this Wednesday.
Although undoubtedly what dazzled the spectators was the display of lights distributed in the branches of the spruce more than 25 meters high and weighing about 14 tons, which traveled some 320 kilometers from the town of Queensbury, north state from New York.
The nearly 100-year-old tree sports 50,000 multi-colored LED lights that were switched on at the end of the party at 10pm local time (03am GMT on Thursdays), and is crowned with a Swarovski star that has been in use since 2018, weighing of 900 lbs (408.23 kg) and 70 points covered with 3 million crystals.
Located next to the shopping complex’s ice skating rink, the tree will be lit every day after dark and until midnight, and authorities have announced they will close road traffic in its vicinity to coincide with these times.
Visitors, scattered on the streets near the imposing Rockefeller skyscraper, this Wednesday were also able to enjoy the light show that can be admired on the facade of the luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue and which contributes to the New York Christmas atmosphere. EFE extension
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