(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Dear Commons Community,

Fifty-thousand multi-colored lights were illuminated on Rockefeller Center’s iconic Christmas tree last night to cheers from the crowds gathered to witness the annual New York City tradition (see video below).

The giant Norway spruce, which this year hails from a tiny Massachusetts town, is also topped with a Swarovski star crown featuring 3 million crystals.

The 74-foot-high (23-meter-high) tree was cut down last month in West Stockbridge and trucked to Rockefeller Plaza. Wednesday night’s ceremony marked the culmination of the tree’s long journey to New York, which began in 2020 when the center’s head gardener spotted the tree and asked its owners if they’d consider donating it.

The famous holiday attraction, located above the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink, will be on view through mid-January. On Christmas Day, the tree will be lit for 24 hours.

Once the holiday season is over, the tree will be used for lumber for Habitat for Humanity.

Christmas has arrived in New York City!

Tony

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