Cheyenne Jackson and Beyoncé Know How to Turn it On

New York gets all "spruced" up this week, as the famed tree at Rockefeller Center is lit for the holiday season and the switch is flicked on the lesser known tree at Bryant Park. The Bryant Park festivities take place tonight, with New York Insider alum and Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson headlining, along with the Barenaked Ladies. The chaos at 30 Rock happens tomorrow evening, with Beyoncé Knowles, the Jonas Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., David Cook, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts, Solange Knowles, Jamie Foxx and Rosie O'Donnell all making appearances. Suddenly credible Britney Spears has been rumored as a potential celebrity guest as well. One thing's for sure...the Today Show’s Al Roker will host the event with all the requisite joviality. This year marks the 76th time a tree has been illuminated at Rock Center (the 2006 lighting is pictured at left) and the 57th time the ceremonies have been telecast. View it on NBC tomorrow evening from 8:00 p.m. till 9:00.

It’s Treetime!

Between the hours of seven and ten this evening, avoid Rockefeller Plaza like the plague....unless, that is, you happen to love Al Roker, Taylor Swift (pictured), Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Josh Groban. And did I mention Barry Manilow? These celebs and throngs of bundled-up admirers will be on hand for the lighting of the 2007 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Instead, I recommend seeing the 84-foot tall Norway Spruce between 11 and 11:30 p.m., when the large crowd will have dispersed, leaving a sizable but manageable assemblage in its place. However, if you still want to hear Barry and company live, tune in to WNBC, Channel 4. And if you want a clue as to the first words that will come out of Al Roker's mouth, see the photo below. The lights go on at 8:58 p.m. Barring that, the tree will be on display through January 6 and is illuminated from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day, so you've got plenty of time. %%showphotos [setid=72157603319822832]%%