Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting live: performances and latest updates from New York

And, with that, our coverage comes to an end. Thanks for tuning in. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams joins the NBC team to light up the enormous tree this evening. 

Kelly Clarkson closes out the list of performs at this year's event! Next up, the lighting of the 74 foot Christmas tree. 

Flavor Flav kicked out of NBC's Christmas special

Though he deleted his initial tweet, rapper Flavor Flav says he was kicked out of Rockefeller Center's NBC Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. In this initial tweet, he did not mention why he was removed and said he was shocked when a representative came to inform him that he needed to leave the premises. He was accompanying the Backstreet Boys who were one of the main groups to share the stage tonight. 

The Backstreet Boys return for another song

Singing "Last Christmas" by Wham! are the Backstreet Boys who are returning to the stage for what appears to be their final song of the evening.

We are just a few minutes away from the lighting of the tree as the event comes to an end. 

The show goes on at Rockefeller Center

Despite an increased police presence in and around Rockefeller Center, tonight's event will proceed as planned. Plainclothes officers have been deployed in the area to monitor for any suspicious behavior. While this morning's killings may instill fear among residents, it is important to note that law enforcement authorities, who are just beginning their investigation, have reported no indication of a broader plan for violence against the general public.

Raye shines at the Rockefeller Tree Lighting

Singer Raye sung "Jingle Bells" earlier this evening at tonight's annual tree lighting, hosted by NBC. 

Dan and Shae perform 'Rockin around the Christmas tree' as we return from the commercial break. 

"The Queen of Latin Pop," Thalía sings 'Feliz Navidad' live from Rockefeller Center. 

First group takes the statge

The Back Street Boys are the first band to perform, and to get the audience in the spirit, they see "The Christmas Song," best known by the chorus that describes roasting chestnuts on an open fire. 

The event begins with a detailed description of this year's tree, which this year hails from Massachussets. 

Christmas

How much is the Rockefeller tree worth and what type of tree is it?

During the Great Depression, construction workers building the Rockefeller Center started a holiday tradition that became famous as “a holiday beacon for New Yorkers and visitors alike.” In 1931, they managed to collect enough money to buy a Christmas tree, which they placed at the worksite. The first tree was only 20 feet tall, much smaller than the 74-foot behemoth that now stands over the Rockefeller Plaza and the ice-skating rink below. Over time, the decorations have become more extravagant, and the person in charge of selecting the tree now only chooses one specific type of pine tree. Read more. 

The event is expected to get underway in 10 minutes! Here's your guide to catching the ceremony live or through streaming. 

An annual tradition in New York City

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting ceremony has been around for more than nine decades, and this year, the 74-foot tree will be lit tonight, Wednesday, December 4. The program is set to begin at 8:00 pm ET, and viewers can tune in on NBC.

Earlier today, the Museum of the City of New York posted a photo from the event many years ago, when the tree placed at Rockefeller Center was a fraction of the size of the one that will be lit tonight.  

Society

Social media reactions to shooting of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO shot in New York

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in midtown Manhattan while crossing the street, an incident that garnered significant attention on Wednesday. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a “brazen targeted attack.” 

Reactions on social media varied widely; many offered condolences to Thompson's family, while others criticized UnitedHealthcare's history of denying claims. Additionally, some individuals speculated on the motives behind the shooting, which occurred shortly before Thompson was scheduled to speak at an investor event at the Hilton hotel nearby. Read more in our full coverage. 

Watch the arrival of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Nearly a month ago, the Christmas Tree that will be lit tonight in Rockefeller Center arrived in New York City. The enormous beauty takes a few weeks to set up to prepare for the annual lighting ceremony. This year's Norway Spruce stands at 74 feet, which helps to explain why it took so long to get it upright and string the lights. 

Christmas

How big is the Rockefeller Christmas tree? How many lights does it have?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a longstanding holiday tradition in New York City, having been celebrated since 1933. Originally, trees were modestly sized at around 20 feet tall; however, today's trees often exceed four times that height. This year's tree is a Norway Spruce, measuring an impressive 74 feet high and 43 feet wide. It weighs approximately 11 tons and was sourced from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Read more about this year's tree in our full coverage. 

Celebrations

What time is the Rockefeller tree lighting? Here’s how to watch it live and online

The holiday season officially begins this Wednesday, December 4, with one of New York City’s beloved traditions: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting. This year’s tree, a magnificent 74-foot-tall Norwegian spruce, has been brought in from Massachusetts. This marks the first time since 1959 that the Rockefeller tree has come from this region. If you plan to watch or visit, here’s everything you need to know to experience this iconic moment.

The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony is set to entertain viewers starting at 8:00 p.m. ET. The event will feature star-studded performances from Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, and the country duo Dan + Shay, among others. The much-anticipated moment of the tree's illumination will occur around 10:00 p.m. ET, marking the grand finale of the event. Read more. 

Tonight, NBC will air the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, which singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson will host. 

This annual event has raised security concerns following a major incident this morning, where Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare, was shot and killed outside his hotel. With the suspect still at large, the NYPD has announced plans to deploy additional officers to enhance security measures at the event. 

The event will be broadcast live on NBC, with cable cutters able to catch the show on Peacock, the network's streaming service.