The holidays have come to New York City, but the season can't properly begin until the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit. And any holiday fans in town will want to grab a good spot in the famous plaza to take part in the festivities, which traditionally include plenty of musical performances before the actual lighting takes place.
(Top tip: Anyone actually going to Rockefeller Center should get there early: Tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event—but many restaurants and bars throughout the city will have their TVs tuned in for the live broadcast, too.)
The tree, which was installed two weeks ago, has been decorated with more than 30,000 multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights, and crowned by a Swarovski star.
The 2012 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 with live and taped performances from 7–9 PM, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. The Tree will remain lit and can be viewed until 11pm on January 7th, 2013.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Sheehan