On Wednesday, people from all over the world shuffled through the chilly crowds at Midtown, lining up early in the hopes of witnessing the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. The centerpiece was a 75‑foot Norway spruce, originally grown in a backyard in Rensselaer County, New York, that was bathed in 50,000 dazzling colored lights when it ignited at about 10 p.m. in the bustling hub of the city.
Sharon Harvey, who flew all the way from the United Kingdom, had been dreaming of seeing the tree since she watched Home Alone. She told The Post that “New York during Christmas is magical,” and that the tree lighting felt like a perfect 60th‑birthday gift from her sister, Hannah. Harvey and her sister hunkered down in line from 3:30 p.m. and were thrilled to finally catch the ceremony.
Across the board, visitors were eager to be part of the tradition. Patricia Procobio and her best friend trekked from Richmond, Virginia, arriving by 2 p.m. to secure an early spot. “This is one of my bucket‑list things,” she said, noting the 100th anniversary of the lighting. “I said, ‘I have to go!’ – today’s the day I’m only here for the tree, all the other plans are just extras,” she added.
The holiday celebration also drew first‑time New Yorkers like Jessica Howell, who, along with her friend Michelle Bullock, was excited after watching the tree on television the previous year. “I love Christmas… we just decided to come see it in person,” Howell explained. Meanwhile, Katie Demarco brought her family all the way from Colombia, insisting that seeing the spruce lit up was the quintessential New York Christmas experience.
That year’s tree had a special history too. It was set up on November 8 with the help of Judy Russ and her 7‑year‑old son, Liam, the day before the spruce was moved from its former home in East Greenbush. The family’s 75‑year‑old tree had grown to such impressive proportions that Dan, the husband of the Russ family who died in 2020 at 32, once imagined it becoming the much‑famous Rockefeller Center tree. The spruce now stood proudly in Manhattan, lighting the holiday season for all who gathered to see it.
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