Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting unofficially kicks off the holiday season in New York City

NEW YORK -- The lights were lit Wednesday night on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree for the unofficial start to the holiday season.

With the flip of a switch, all 50,000 LED lights illuminated this year's tree.

"In that moment, it gave me chills," one child said.

"I thought it was really exciting because it kind of brought the Christmas spirit," another child said.

"I will be back next year. It was definitely beautiful," a spectator said.

Hours earlier, thousands of people filed into Rockefeller Center to catch a glimpse.

"That's the biggest star I've ever seen," 8-year-old Lee Hale said.

Cindy Khuu, visiting from North Carolina, was prepared to wait in the rain, but she was pleasantly surprised.

"It's just something about the Christmas tree and the star and also being here. It's just something so different," she told CBS2's Ali Bauman.

The Nelson family, from Memphis, showed up dressed to impress and cherish the time together.

"Because I wanted to see the Christmas tree," 5-year-old Reign Nelson said.

"Great memories, great way to bring your family here to have fun and an excuse to dress up, of course," Marissa Nelson said.

Jennifer Jeter, from North Carolina, arrived alone, but is feeling the love of her mother.

"She really loved Christmas, so I thought this would be a nice way to remember her and also get into the Christmas spirit," she said.

This year's Norway Spruce is about 90 years old, weighs 14 tons and traveled about 200 miles to get here from Queensbury, New York. So did Lori Blanchard.

"I grew up on the property. My sister got married in '91, and my dad said this is definitely Rockefeller Center-worthy, and here we are today," she said.

After the tree comes down for the season, it will be milled into lumber and donated.

"It's kinda bittersweet because now it's gone, but it's nice to know that it is going to go to Habitat for Humanity, so it's gonna live another life," Blanchard said.

They've been planning to be here for the lighting since the tree was cut down, unlike Hilda Echegaray, from Salt Lake City.

"We just decided to jump on a plane and come to New York," she said.

"When did you decide that?" Bauman asked.

"Last night," Echegaray said.

She leaves Thursday but says the cross-country flight to see the tree was well worth it.

"We live every day, we only die once, so why not make this a traditional thing?" she said.

Of course, now you can come see the tree whenever you'd like. Maybe try on a Sunday in December. On 4th, 11th and 18th, from noon to 6 p.m., Fifth Avenue from 48th to 57th will be car-free, creating open streets for pedestrians.

READ MORE: Christmas trees, holiday lights going up across Tri-State Area

If you're driving in the area, there are the following road closures:

• 49th and 50th between Fifth and Sixth closed at 11 a.m, and will remain closed to cars until mid-January daily from 11 a.m. until midnight.
• 48th and 51st between Fifth and Sixth closed at 1 p.m.

While the very first Rockefeller Christmas tree was in 1931 and only stood 20 feet tall.

In:
• Manhattan
• Christmas