WRAL-TV will once again light the television tower for the holidays.

WRAL will light the transmission tower outside the WRAL-TV Studios, at 2619 Western Blvd. in Raleigh, on Nov. 30, 2012, in an annual holiday tradition that dates back more than half a century.

The lighting transforms the station’s tower into a 300-foot Christmas tree wrapped in more than 2,800 multi-colored lights. Three 5-foot stars adorn the top of the tower, which will glow nightly through New Year’s Day. The tower is a beacon of the holiday season for many.

Before the tower is lit, a professional climber must test every bulb. The lights stay on the tower year-round but are lighted only during the holiday season.

A Tradition 50 Years in the Making
It all began in 1959, with Capitol Broadcasting Co. founder A.J. Fletcher reading “A Christmas Carol” to viewers before the tower was lit.

• Former WRAL anchor: Tower lighting is station’s gift to community

Over time, the original tradition was embellished with new ones, including musical performances, aerial video from Sky 5 and streaming video to the Web and mobile phones.

• See photos from past tower lightings and more in the WRAL Tower Lighting section of WRAL.com

Thanks to WRAL.com for this capcom story & photo.