video transcript

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: New York's most famous Christmas tree was lit on Wednesday (November 28) night, officially kicking off the holiday season. Rock legend Rod Stewart helped get things started by singing "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Rapper Cee-Lo Green joined the Muppets for a mash-up of Muppet classics and holiday tunes. Green then hit the stage solo to perform "This Christmas." Italian singers IL Volo were shocked by the size of the tree and were happy to be spending Christmas in New York. The 80-foot (24.38 meter) Norway Spruce Christmas tree, which weighs approximately 10 tons (9071 kilograms), was donated by Joseph Balku of Flanders, New Jersey. The installation of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has been an annual event since 1933 soon after the complex was built. This year's tree is not the largest, that honor goes to a 100-foot (30.48 meter) spruce in 1999. 30,000 LED lights covered the tree which was topped off with a Swarovski Star. The ceremony was broadcast live on the U.S. network NBC and featured taped performances from Mariah Carey and Tony Bennett.