Headliners announced for Philadelphia's Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

It may not feel like it outside, but actually it does. The holiday season is nearly upon us, and that means the arrival of the City of Philadelphia's holiday tree. Sky 6 is giving us a live look at the tree being set up on the north side of City Hall. This morning, city officials gave details on what's in store for the tree lighting celebration happening next month. Let's head on outside to Action News reporter Taronda Thomas, who is live at City Hall. It looks like they picked a really beautiful tree. Oh, my goodness. This is a gorgeous tree. And we've got a good look at it from our vantage point here. And you can see there's someone at the very tippy top of it, making sure everything is set up just right. This is a Norway spruce. It's about. The tree, 50 years old, stands about 50 feet tall and about 75 feet around, so it's in its base now to get ready to be decorated in the coming weeks, but we want to show you the exciting moment when it was dropped into this base. Take a look. There was a choir singing, a big crowd of people here along the apron, just welcoming the tree into its new home. It's from Hornell, New York, but now it will call Philadelphia, Pennsylvania home, where More specifically, the The steps of City Hall. So this tree will stand here throughout the holiday season and really be what officials say is a beacon to folks who are coming to celebrate the holidays here in Center City and across the city of Philadelphia. Mayor Cherelle Parker spoke about the fact that the holiday season draws about 3 million people to the city of Philadelphia. So it is definitely a big draw with the Christmas tree in the very center of it. Now, for those who can't always make it to that official tree lighting that happens on December 3rd, 6 ABC has. has been a proud sponsor for years to broadcast that exciting moment. And this year is no different. Take a listen. Holiday brings our communities, our friends and neighbors together. And at 6 ABC, there's nothing more important than being part and active in our communities. We want to be part of the events that put joy on people's faces. That Philadelphia comes alive during the holidays. And we are going to be welcoming roughly 3 million visitors to shop, dine, stay, and to celebrate. So it's a huge celebration and it begins right now as you take a look at that beautiful Norway spruce. Believe it or not I actually got the hook up so I'm going to be able to go in and up to that tree and I'll give you a look at that later on in one of our broadcasts. But here's the thing I know a lot of people watching want to know who is going to headline the tree lighting. You know we always have big celebrities. Well Mayor Parker has officially announced. Are you ready? The headliners are Kristen Chenoweth and Kirk Franklin. You know, he was here this summer for the big Fourth of July party and concert. The heat was way too much, so he couldn't perform. So he said, I am coming back and going to perform for the tree lighting ceremony. So Kirk Franklin, Kristen Chenoweth, a huge Broadway star. Both of them will be here on December 3rd. Starts at 7 p.m. for the tree lighting. Get here early, the mayor says, because there are gonna be lots of people. And of course, 6ABC will be proud to broadcast the festivities so you can be here or you can watch at home. Either way, you're going to get the best seat in the house. We are live at City Hall, Taronda Thomas, Channel 6 Action News. And Tam and Sarah, I feel like I'm kind of already dressed like a Hallmark Christmas movie character. So we're ready to go. You just need to meet the boy from next door around the Christmas tree. You have that look going on. Yes, that's it. Kristen is going to be amazing. I'm a big city girl, so it'll never work. It's dark. Kristen's going to be amazing. And can we, it's not a Christmas song, but can we get Kirk to do Stomp? Oh, my goodness. Can you imagine? The tree's going to be shaking. I will be ready for the holidays, though. We're going to be clapping, dancing. Oh, yeah. Yeah. A little gospel, a little Broadway. I'm reclaiming this show. Yeah. It's off the rails. It's gone. Thank you, Geronimo.