Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree To Be Lit Wednesday

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has stood 72-feet-tall since its arrival in New York City on Nov. 10, but it has been missing its main attraction — the lights.

That changes on Wednesday, Nov. 28, when the giant Norawy Spruce is set to be lit up for the first time this season during the 86th annual Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting. This year's ceremony will feature performances by Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, John Legend and, as always, the Rockettes.

Thousands of people are expected to crowd Rockefeller Center — located on West 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues — to see the tree lighting ceremony in person, and millions more are expected to watch the NBC broadcast. The broadcast will be hosted by NBC
"TODAY" anchors, Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Craig Melvin, according to the network.

The tree lighting ceremony is expected to begin around 9 p.m., Rockefeller Center announced. This year's tree hails from Walkill, New York and will be decked out with 50,000 multi-color LED lights and a brand-new Swarovski crystal star.

It took two days to transport the giant conifer to New York City on the back of a big-rig truck. The Orange County town of Walkill is located just 70 miles away from the city, but transporting a giant tree is an undertaking that takes much time and precaution.

The tree will remain on display until Jan. 7, after which it will be donated to Habitat for Humanity, Rockefeller Center announced.

Lead photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images