Rockefeller Center Has Picked This Year's Christmas Tree

From Town & Country

The most famous Christmas tree in the world has arrived! The resplendent Rockefeller Christmas tree has taken its place at 30 Rockefeller Plaza ahead of the annual tree lighting ceremony, which is scheduled for later this month.

This year's tree is a 72-foot, 12-ton Norway Spruce that hails from Wallkill, New York, 75 miles away from Rockefeller Center. Last year's Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center was also a Norway Spruce, measuring 75 feet in height. The 2018 Christmas tree arrived in New York after a two day journey on November 10th.

Shirley Figuero and Lisette Gutierrez, the owners of the home where the tree was grown, told NBC that they bought the house with the tree as an added bonus. "After we bought the house, the previous owner told us, 'Hey, by the way, the tree in the yard? Rockefeller Center has been scouting it," Figueroa told NBC News 4. "When she told me that, I was like, 'Oh, that would be cool,' but I [didn't] believe it. Until they came knocking on the door."

Rockefeller Center and Today shared videos of the tree's journey from Wallkill to New York on Twitter:

Now that the tree has arrived, it's time to make it shine. The 86th annual Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 28th. The holiday event will air on NBC from 8:00 until 10:00 p.m ET, and will feature live performances on Rockefeller Plaza. The ceremony is free and open to members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis. This year's tree will remain on display until January 7, according to NBC.

Roughly 50,000 LED lights will make the tree sparkle, along with a new Swarovski crystal star at the top, which was designed by Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind spent two years creating the new tree topper, and the resulting star is comprised of 3 million crystals and weighs a whopping 900 pounds, according to the New York Times. This marks the first time the Swarovski star has gotten a re-design since it was first introduced at Rockefeller Center in 2004.

The Today show and official Swarovski Twitter account shared a first look at the stunning star here:

The Rockefeller Christmas tree is one of the most beloved holiday traditions in New York. The first Christmas tree went on display in 1931, and the very first official tree lighting ceremony was held in 1933.

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