Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2019: Time, Live Stream, How to Watch

Break out the tinsel and unwrap the ornaments because the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City is ready to be lit.

The tree is a Christmastime staple in Manhattan, and this year's Norway spruce, standing 77 feet tall, will draw throngs of visitors throughout the holiday season. A star is already atop the spruce, and on Wednesday the official lighting will take place with a holiday spectacular at Rockefeller Plaza.

Catching the tree lighting in person can be tough, as thousands of people line the sidewalks vying for a viewing spot. Thankfully for those who get hives at the thought of large crowds, NBC broadcasts the event live.

NBC's national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST and can be viewed on the station's TV channel, online at NBC Live or through the mobile app. To access content online or via the mobile app, viewers will have to link to their TV provider by sharing their account username and password.

Hosted by Today anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker, the broadcast will include 12 musical performances from such big names as John Legend and Gwen Stefani—and, of course, another New York staple, the Rockettes. The broadcast is scheduled to run until 10 p.m. EST, with the tree lighting occurring around 9 p.m.

Just as pedestrians will have to detour around the Rockefeller Center area to avoid hordes of people, cars will be forced to stay away from the area. To keep everyone safe, the police will close 10 streets on Wednesday:

• 5th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street
• 6th Avenue between 46th Street and 52nd Street
• 46th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 47th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 48th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 51st Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 52nd Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• Rockefeller Plaza between 48th Street and 51st Street

Before arriving in New York City, the tree took a journey similar to Buddy the Elf's. It traveled 60 miles from Orange County, New York, and then through a sea of swerving, honking cabs until it was lifted through the air by crane onto Rockefeller Plaza.

Each day, except Christmas and New Year's Eve, the tree will be lit from 6 a.m. until midnight EST until it's taken down on January 17. The Norway spruce's life isn't over after its Rockefeller Plaza showcase, though. The tree is turned into lumber that's donated to Habitat for Humanity and eventually used to build a family's home.