The Christmas Tree Lighting at the Rockefeller Center is Today!

This year’s tree is a 76-foot, 12-ton spruce that will glimmer with over 45,000 multi-colored and energy efficient LED lights once the tree is turned on during the tree lighting ceremony. -Reuters

My fellow NY Christmas lovers, ’tis the season for festivities and today is a wonderful day to celebrate. The lighting of America’s most famous tree during the 81st annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” is tonight and here is how you can be prepared.

1. Get there early for a good spot with a great view!

NYC is one of the best places to be for the holidays so it’s no surprise that the list of musical guests are so grand: Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande and more performing their current hits and holiday classics.

2. Avoid the roads and take the subway!

If taking the subway to the show, you can can take the B/D/F/M to Rockefeller Center/47-50th Street station, the N/R/Q to 49th Street and 7th Avenue or the E to 5th Avenue and 53rd Street.

The 6 train to Lexington Avenue-53rd Street, the 1 train to 50th Street, the N/R line to 49th Street or the B/D/F/M to 42nd Street are additional options to get to the show, recommends Metro.

3. If you must drive then…

If driving is your last resort then click the link here for a list of nearby parking lots and garages.

Road rage avoiders here is your guide to avoiding tonights traffic, brought to you by the NYPD and Gothamist:

The NYPD issued a traffic advisory for “street closures and security measures that will be in effect during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony”: The ceremony begins at 7 p.m., so “[b]ecause heavy traffic is expected, drivers should avoid the vicinity of Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spectators are urged to use mass transit to attend the event.” Also, “The following streets will be subject to closures from about 3 p.m. until the conclusion of the event: 48th, 49th, 50th, and 51st Streets between Avenue of the Americas and Fifth Avenue.” In other words—if you need to get out of Midtown, leave at 2:30 p.m.!

Note**The remaining Gridlock Alert Days are Friday, December 6; Thursday, December 12; Friday, December 13; Wednesday, December 18; Thursday, December 19; and Friday, December 20.**

4. If you can’t make it, watch on tv or record it!

NBC will telecast tonight at 8PM.

5. And if you wish really hard (like me), maybe Jimmy Fallon might be there too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GPOBX3vZqs