Residents celebrate during tree lighting ceremony

The cold did not stop the crowd from kicking off the holiday season with the annual Brooklyn Borough Hall Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Thursday.
This year's tree stands 32 feet tall at the front of Borough Hall. The hall was filled with Brooklyn spirit during the ceremony, which included a choir act and a step team performance.
Borough President Eric Adams says this year there will also be a menorah lighting ceremony and a Kwanza celebration at Borough Hall.
Adams says with hate crimes increasing this past year, it is important to celebrate different cultures and religions.