81st Annual Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige perform in front of the 76 foot Norway Spruce

From the LifeMInute team

December 5, 2013

Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige were among the stars kicking off the celebration last night at the 81st Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.

Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie and Natalie Morales co-hosted the event, while the Goo Goo Dolls, Jewel, Leona Lewis, Lauren Alaina, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds, Ariana Grande, Ashanti, Audra McDonald and the Radio City Rockettes performed live.

But the biggest star of the celebration was the tree itself, a majestic Norway Spruce standing 76 feet high and adorned with 45,000 multi-colored energy efficient LED lights.