NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- The lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree kicked off the 2022 holiday season in New York City on Wednesday night.
The star of the show was the sparkling 82-foot-tall Norway Spruce from Queensbury, New York. The stunning, 85-year-old tree was adorned with 50,000 lights and topped with a glistening star made of 3 million Swarovski crystals.
Despite a threat of rain and heavy wind gusts, the annual ceremony went off without a hitch, captivating throngs of visitors who packed Rockefeller Plaza.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is illuminated during the 90th lighting on Nov. 30, 2022.John Lamparski/Getty Images
Rob and Jerry Speyer, of the Tishman Speyer real estate company that owns Rockefeller Center, hit the switch to illuminate the tree.
The tree will stay up through mid-January, after which it will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is illuminated during the 90th lighting on Nov. 30, 2022.John Lamparski/Getty Images
Craig Melvin, Hoda Kotb, Mario Lopez and guests are seen on stage during the 2022 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center on Nov. 30, 2022.John Lamparski/Getty Images
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is illuminated during the 90th lighting on Nov. 30, 2022.John Lamparski/Getty Images
John Lamparski/Getty Images
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is illuminated during the 90th lighting on Nov. 30, 2022.Alexi Rosenfeld/ Getty Images
John Lamparski/Getty Images
People take photos at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree during the 90th lighting on Nov. 30, 2022.Alexi Rosenfeld/ Getty Images
