Photo: Courtesy of Tishman Speyer-Photographer Bart Barlow
It’s that time of year! The lighting of the world famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree!
The 79th annual holiday extravaganza will feature a Norway Spruce tree that is 74 feet high, 46 feet in diameter and weighs 10 tons.
The tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas tree dates back to the Great Depression. First erected in 1933, the inaugural tree was decked with 700 lights and placed in front of the then eight-month-old RCA Building, now the GE Building. The Christmas tree gathering was enhanced in 1936 with the opening of the Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice-skating pond. NBC-TV televised the tree lighting for the first time in 1951 on “The Kate Smith Show” and as part of the nationwide “Howdy Doody” television show from 1953-55.
The NBC televised lighting, hosted by Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie, will take place on Wednesday, November 30 From 8 To 9 P.M. ET on NBC. Prior to this year’s primetime telecast, WNBC, NBC’s flagship station will broadcast an additional live hour of the special from 7 to 8 p.m. ET . This first hour will feature performances by Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Michael Buble, Cee Lo Green, Faith Hill, Carole King, Katharine McPhee, Javier Colon and also a special performance by Megan Hilty, star of the upcoming NBC musical drama “SMASH”.
Other NBC affiliates broadcasting the pre-lighting special are WVIR – Charlottesville, VA, WLWT – Cincinnati, OH, WBOY – Clarksburg, WV, WETM – Elmira, NY, WBBH – Fort Myers, FL, WHAG – Hagerstown, MD, WBIR – Knoxville, TN, WGAL – Lancaster, PA, WAVE – Louisville, KY, WNBC – New York, NY, WCAU – Philadelphia, PA, WEYI – Saginaw-Bay City, MI, WTWC – Tallahassee, FL, WNWO – Toledo, OH, WFMJ – Youngstown, OH, WHIZ – Zanesville, OH, KMIR – Palm Springs, CA.
Anyone can enjoy a live view of the most famous Christmas tree in the world online at nbcnewyork.com!
Follow @rockcenternyc for all the latest updates and join the conversation on twitter with hash-tag #RockCenterXmas.
Interested in what a famous New York Christmas tree has to say? For fun, mixed in with a bit of snark, follow @30rockTree.
Source: NBC.com
Photo: Courtesy of Tishman Speyer-Photographer Bart Barlow
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