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Photo taken on Nov. 28, 2018 shows the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree after it was lighted in New York, the United States. A ceremony was held on Wednesday night in Midtown Manhattan to light the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree as a tradition held annually as New Yorkers and tourists celebrate the incoming holiday season. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)
NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held on Wednesday night in midtown Manhattan to light the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a tradition held annually to celebrate the incoming holiday season.
The Norway Spruce is 72 feet (21.95 meters) tall, 45 feet (13.72 meters) in diameter, and weights approximately 12 tons. The 75-year-old tree was donated by a couple from Wallkill, 60 miles (97 km) north of New York.
It is wrapped with more than 50,000 multi-colored, energy efficient LED lights and topped with a stunning new Swarovski crystal star designed by the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.
The star, the first redesign of the crystal tree-topper since 2004, is made up of 3 million crystals.
This year's featured performances were from the New York City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker," and the Radio City Rockettes, among others.
The tradition of the tree lighting ceremony began in 1933, when a Christmas tree was erected in front of the then-RCA Building and covered with 700 lights.
This year, an estimated 800,000 people will visit the tree daily. It will be lit until Jan. 7, 2019.
