By Jameson Fleming
The annual tree lighting ceremony in New York City went as planned Wednesday night as the city's famous Rockefeller Tree illuminated the Rockefeller Center for the first time this year.
Special guests Aretha Franklin and Shakira performed at the tree lighting ceremony which aired live on NBC.
The lights of Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be on from 5:30AM to 11:30PM daily from December 2nd, 2009 through January 7th, 2010, but also all day long on Christmas Day.
