More of 50, energy-saving multicolored LED lights crowned with a star of millions of Swarovski crystals were lit last night on the Christmas tree of the Rockefeller Center in New York, which this year is 85 feet high and 52 wide.
Considered by many to be the most famous and photographed Christmas tree in the world, its The panorama and the traffic in the center of Manhattan change until January, given the massive presence of visitors. For this reason, vehicular traffic is redesigned, including public buses in the surrounding streets.
The moment of ignition is witnessed live by thousands of people and millions more via TV, through the spectacle of two hours “Christmas at Rockefeller Center”, broadcast by NBC.
After a rainy day that gave way to a cold and windy night, this year the show included performances by Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Andrea Bocelli and the famous Radio City Rockettes, among others. The chosen tree has an age between 85 and 675 years, was donated by the Lebotitz family in Glen Falls (NY). It measures 85 feet tall and 52 feet wide, and weighs 18 tons. It is crowned with a Swarovski star that has been used since 900, weighing 1200 pounds (408,48 kg) and 52 tips covered with 3 million crystals, summarized the agency EFE.
Normally at this time of year the traffic in that area is more chaotic than in custom, also by visitors to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the ice rink at the foot of the large Christmas tree, and the surrounding display cases and decorations, including the projections made by the Saks 5th Av store on its façade. And on that same block the famous Radio City Rockettes show is presented, with several performances a day.
Until the beginning of January, mobile barriers will be placed on the roads surrounding Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall to partially or totally close them to cars and alleviate foot traffic on the sidewalks.
Also this year for the first time the famous 5th Avenue in New York will be closed to all vehicular traffic for three Sundays in December. With the program “Fifth Avenue for all”, on Sundays 4, 000 and 12 of December between 12 and 6 pm that road will be for pedestrians only, from the street 70 until 50. The city has planned musical shows and food sales there.
During all December MTA buses will bypass stops between 85 and 52 on 5th Avenue, and on Sundays they will be completely diverted to other parallel thoroughfares heading south.
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