Let the festivities begin! Mariah Carey, Cee Lo Green and Rod Stewart help turn on Christmas lights at NYC's Rockefeller Center

By JAMES NYE

Crowds gather as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit during the 80th annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York this evening Mariah Carey, Cee Lo Green and Rod Stewart belted out some classic Christmas tunes as the 45,000 LED lights of the Rockefeller Christmas tree were lit on Wednesday night. Tens of thousands of chilly spectators braved the near-freezing temperatures to watch the live performances of 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center' as the city celebrated the advent of the rundown to Christmas Day.

Iconic: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit with 45,000 LED lights during the 80th annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York The broadcast was hosted by NBC's Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie and featured Carey singing her hit, 'All I Want for Christmas' in a pre-recorded performance and Stewart appear live to croon 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' before Mayor Michael Bloomberg flipped the switch.

Magic: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit this evening in front a crowd of tens of thousands

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a New York institution and installed since 1933, some 45,000 lights plus other decorations are installed on it The centrepiece of affairs though was an 80-foot Norway spruce that made it through Superstorm Sandy was transformed into a beacon of shimmering glory Wednesday when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others turned its lights on at Rockefeller Center. Thousands of onlookers crowded behind barricades on the streets that surrounded the center during the traditional tree-lighting ceremony for the Christmas holiday season. A video screen projected an image of the tree for those who did not have a direct line of sight.

Traditional Festive Fun: The Rockettes perform during the 80th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in New York 'It makes me want to sing and dance,' said Zuri Young, who came several hours early with her boyfriend to watch the lighting for the first time. 'I've heard a lot about it. I was kind of sick of staying home and watching it on television,' the 19-year-old nursing student from Queens said.

The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes perform before the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Family Fun: Singer CeeLo Green performs in a sleigh with the Muppets before the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting during the 80th annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center

Angels in lights frame the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is shown after it was lit up during the 80th annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York

Gravely voiced rocker Rod Stewart attends the 80th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in New York City

British rock-star Rod Stewart sang from his new album of Christmas standards at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Voice: Singer Cee Lo Green performs during the 80th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in New York

'All I want for Christmas': Mariah Carey wore a festive short dress with a low cut top when taping her performance for the Rockefeller Tree lighting in NYC on Tuesday night

Costume Change: Mariah Carey wore a low cut top when performing at the Rockefeller Centre on Tuesday evening Pauze said workers prepared for Superstorm Sandy by bracing the tree with cables to secure and protect it. It was moved in November. Officials turned on the lights just before 9 p.m. Wednesday in the 80th annual celebration. Prior to that, the tree-lighting event include performances from Rod Stewart, Cee Lo Green, Scotty McCreery, Il Volo, Victoria Justice, Brooke White, Mariah Carey, Trace Adkins and Tony Bennett, along with appearances by Billy Crystal and Bette Midler.

Nevermind the cold: Mariah donned the short frock despite temperatures plummeting into the 30s The tradition of a Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center started in 1931, when workers building the center put up the first one. No tree was put up the following year, and in 1933, the first tree-lighting ceremony took place. People will be able to view the tree until Jan. 7. After its stint in the spotlight, it will be turned into lumber for Habitat for Humanity. source: dailymail

Let the festivities begin! Mariah Carey, Cee Lo Green and Rod Stewart help turn on Christmas lights at NYC's Rockefeller Center 2012-11-29T00:16:00-08:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Bona Pasogit