Rockefeller Center Holiday Tree

The City has been starting to come alive with holiday lights over the last couple of weeks, and it is officially holiday season after the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Tree last night. It was a zoo for the actual tree lighting ceremony – yes, I was crazy enough to try and get close – though I did manage to see the rehearsals the night before which were pretty special.

So, to kick off my holiday post, here is ‘the’ tree –

Though, to be fair, this was an Instagram vs Reality kind of situation for the taking of this picture as you can see below –

I have been seeing the tree in various stages of building up to the big reveal – or should I say big lighting – last night, workers on scaffolding and all:

At the other end, the Saks holiday light show is set to Elton John’s music this year. He actually performed to kick off this light show a week ago.

I noticed some pretty big differences from years past. For instance, the area around the tree was actually all blocked off. I have been able to walk right up to it in the past.

The gold decorations on Fifth Avenue that I have photographs from over many years have been replaced by wooden logs criss crossing the fountain down the middle. I did prefer the gold decorations.

As well, I was sad to see no toy soldiers around the skating rink! They added so much color and character in past years –

The streets around Rockefeller Plaza were blocked off to traffic, making it a big pedestrian plaza for New Yorkers and tourists alike.

The weather was nice and clear today, but here is how stunning it looks after a snowfall –

And, although I have covered the rehearsals in another post, here are a couple of videos of Alicia Keys and Brett Eldredge that would have been performed at the lighting ceremony –

#gottalovenewyork