NEW YORK – One of the brightest signs of the holiday season has come to light. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was officially turned on Wednesday night, at an event featuring celebrities including Idina Menzel, Lea Michele and Ne-Yo among the performers.

The tree, a Norway spruce that’s more than 60 years old, stands 77 feet (23.5 meters) tall and was lit up in colorful Christmas lights before 10 p.m.

It was on the property of Carol Schultz in the village of Florida, New York, and was cut down last month.

The tree was decorated with miles of lights, with a huge Swarovski crystal star at the top.

It stays in place until January 17, when it will be taken down and donated to Habitat for Humanity to help build homes.

There’s been a tree in Rockefeller Center since 1931. The holiday lighting has been broadcast since 1951.

Singers gather on a stage beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree after the 77-foot high tree was illuminated in the 87th annual tree lighting ceremony, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

A woman waits in a fifth floor window for the 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting to begin as entertainment acts continued, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is shown in a time exposure in which the photographer’s lens was zoomed at the 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Workers are seen in a window moments after 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was illuminated, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)