MIDTOWN — The Rockefeller Center tree gleamed Wednesday night at the 80th annual lighting ceremony, which featured a pre-recorded performance by Mariah Carey and live performances by the Rockettes and Muppets.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg pressed a button to set the 80-foot tall Norway spruce aglow with 30,000 multicolor LED lights and a 9.5-foot-wide Swarovski Crystal star during the ceremony as Rod Stewart, Cee Lo Green, Trace Adkins and Tony Bennett also performed.
Thousands of people packed the streets around Rockefeller Center to catch a glimpse of the sparkling tree.
"This is the one thing you want to see when you come to New York," said Sia Abai, 35, who was visiting the city from California.
