India, Dec. 4 -- From Reba McEntire to Gwen Stefani, several top celebrities performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday. With the event, New York City officially ushered in the holiday season.

The annual event opened with host Reba McEntire, who kicked off the night performing a lively rendition of "Run Rudolph Run." The ceremony marks the start of two hours of performances, special moments and the long-awaited illumination of the world-famous Norway spruce.

Towering over Rockefeller Plaza, this year's tree is wrapped in more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights and topped with a dazzling 900-pound star made from 3 million Swarovski crystals. The iconic spruce will remain on display through January before be...