O Christmas Tree

NBC’s 13th Annual “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special will be broadcast Nov. 30 from 8-9 p.m. ET/PT. The network televised the New York City ceremony for the first time in 1951 on “The Kate Smith Show.”

The holiday special will also feature performances from Susan Boyle, Charice, “America’s Got Talent” finalist Jackie Evancho, Katherine Jenkins, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, Jessica Simpson and The Radio City Rockettes. The artists will show off both current hits and holiday classics.

Natalie Morales and AL Rocker of NBC’s “Today” will share hosting duties for the 78th annual event.

Viewers can tune in to WNBC, NBC’s New York flagship station, along with other nationwide affiliates, for an additional live hour of the special 7-8 p.m. ET.

Although more and more people may be opting for artificial Christmas Trees, the Rockefeller Christmas tree is the real deal. This year’s tree is 74 feet high, 40 feet in diameter and weighs 12 tons.

Performers have also been announced for another world famous tree lighting ceremony.

The 2010 National Christmas Tree Lighting features performances from B.B. King, Sara Bareilles and Maroon 5. Additional performers and special guests will be announced soon.

This year’s ceremony takes place Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. EST on the Ellipse at President’s Park in Washington, D.C.

The event will be broadcast on public television throughout December and can also be viewed live at www.thenationaltree.org.

Tickets to the ceremony for the general public will be awarded through an online lottery system, which began today and closes Nov. 7 at 11:59 EST.

The lottery includes 3,000 ticketed seats and 10,000 standing room tickets.

For more information and to enter the lottery click here.