Thousands brave the cold to watch the 69th annual Macy's Great Tree lighting

ATLANTA — Thousands of people flocked to Lenox Square Sunday evening for the 69^th annual Macy's Great Tree lighting.

For more than six decades, generations in Atlanta have welcomed the holiday season with music, fireworks and the lighting of the Great Tree.

Channel 2’s Jovita Moore and Zach Klein were joined by Grammy Award-winning singer Michelle Williams, the soulful Aloe Blacc and Georgia’s own country artist, Craig Campbell, to help usher in the holiday.

Thousands braved the cold temperatures to watch the performances and a spectacular fireworks display as the tree was lit when Williams hit the highest note of the holiday carol "O Holy Night."

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The Macy’s Great Tree stands 56 feet tall and is adorned with 45,000 white and multicolor sparkling LED twinkle lights. More than 8 miles of light strings will be draped on the tree. The giant star atop the Great Tree will shine more than 56 feet above onlookers.

The tree will shine on the top of Macy’s Men Store at Lenox Square throughout the holiday season as shoppers flock to the mall to finish their holiday shopping.

The lighting of the Great Tree started in 1948 when Rich’s department store put a large pine tree on top of its flagship store in downtown Atlanta, lighting it on Thanksgiving night.

The tree lighting remained there until Rich’s store closed in 1991 and the tree was moved to Underground Atlanta.

In 2000, the Great Tree was moved to its current home of Lenox Square where it has remained a holiday tradition for new and old.

Cox Media Group