Fox News’ ‘All-American Tree Lighting’ kicks off Christmas season on ‘The Five’

FOX News Media kicked off Christmas season with its third annual "All-American Tree Lighting" on Monday during "The Five" during a festive, jam-packed ceremony in FOX Square outside the network’s New York City headquarters.

"The Five" co-hosts Greg Gutfeld, Judge Jeanine Pirro, Dana Perino, Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters hosted the festivities in front of a live audience that included representatives from the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department, who performed the ceremonial lighting in honor of those who serve the city. 

"It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas out there on Fox Square," Perino said to start the show. 

FOX’s All-American Christmas tree, which once again features a patriotic theme of red, white and blue decorations, is 50 feet tall and decorated with 12,000 ornaments and 340,000 lights. "It’s back, and it’s better than ever," Gutfeld said. 

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"The Five" co-hosts were joined by holiday carolers and an assortment of special guests, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rev. Jacques De Graff and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, who gave blessings of the tree. FOX News Media invited members from FDNY and NYPD stations and precincts around the city to attend the annual ceremony and honor fallen heroes from the past year. 

Fox News personalities Sean Hannity, Janice Dean, Charles Payne, Steeve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Kayleigh McEnany, Lauren Green, Jimmy Failla, Sandra Smith, Todd Piro, Bill Hemmer, Sean Duffy, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Lawrence Jones, FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott, President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace and FOX Weather’s "Dancing Weatherman" Nick Kosir were among the guests in attendance. Santa Clause himself even surprised youngsters. 

"The meaning for the season is the birth of Jesus," Green said.

Fox News stars including Bret Baier, Martha MacCallum and Laura Ingraham shared Christmas memories throughout the program. Gutfeld’s first pet, an eight-week-old dog named Gus, even made his TV debut during the special "All-American Tree Lighting" ceremony. 

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Last year, the All-American Christmas Tree was destroyed when a tinsel-torching man set it on fire. The tree was quickly replaced "as a sign of resilience and hope in the face of a horrible act," and FOX News Media executives credit the FDNY and NYPD for quickly responding to the act of arson.

FOX News Media is also partnering with the Police Athletic League (PAL) for a toy drive to benefit New York City’s youth, offering employees a chance to participate in volunteer activities to help spread holiday cheer. 

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FOX News Media employees have already purchased and wrapped 500 gifts that were presented to the PAL Executive Director Carlos Velazquez, and the children and families benefiting from the charitable contribution during lighting ceremony. 

"We only survive with support from the great people of New York City and across the state," Velazquez said. 

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"The Five" averaged 3.3 million viewers to finish as the most-watched cable news program during the third quarter of 2022. It was the first time in history that a non-primetime cable news program has topped the category for four consecutive quarters. 

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