ALBANY, NY (WENY)--THE NEW YORK STATE CAPITOL KICKS OFF IT'S HOLIDAY SEASON WITH IT'S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING. 

Monday night, THE 38-FOOT-TALL CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS UP THE EMPIRE STATE PLAZA FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON. 
 
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 47TH YEAR OF THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE TRADITION. 
 
GOV. KATHY HOCHUL COUNTED DOWN TO THE LIGHTING AS STATE LAWMAKERS, LOCAL RESIDENTS AND EVEN SANTA CLAUS AWAITED THE OFFICIAL START TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN ALBANY. 
 
"We are here to celebrate a season of magic and wonder that takes us back to our childhood," said Hochul. 
 
FOLLOWING THE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE'S BIG MOMENT, FIREWORKS AND HOLIDAY MUSIC LIT UP THE SKY IN ALBANY.