Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony draws one of the largest crowds in Manhattan

Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony draws one of the largest crowds in Manhattan since the start of the pandemic as tens of thousands gather for annual switch-on.

Tens of thousands of people have flocked to watch the Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree lights get switched on in the biggest gathering on the streets of NYC since COVID hit.

City officials said Wednesday's switch-on attracted one of the largest crowd's in the Big Apple since the virus first hit US shores nearly two years ago.

This year's ceremony open to all-comers, in marked contrast to 2020, when space was strictly limited, and buses were used to block the view of the tree to try and stop people crowding together to look at it.

NYPD officials did warn that the tree and its environs were closed at one stage of the evening, although this was just due to regular crowd control issues. The tree sits in a relatively tight space, and measures were deployed to stop onlookers from being crushed.    

Stars including Harry Connick Jr, Rob Thomas and Norah Jones performed. Meanwhile, the hosts of NBC's Today - which tapes just a few feet away from the tree - were chosen to switch its lights on. Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin joined outgoing NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio for the moment of illumination. 

Due to the anticipated rush of spectators, Mayor Bill de Blasio, the NYPD and the Department of Transportation had announced that pedestrian space will be temporarily extended onto the streets around Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. 

There were no mask or vaccination requirements this year due to the tree lighting being an outdoor event, a Rockefeller Center spokesperson said.