SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The giant tree in Clinton Square is going green. It's the first year the city will use more than 16,000 LED lights on the tree to brighten Clinton Square on Friday.

"The energy is going to be 87 percent less. They'll draw less than one watt a piece, whereas the smallest light last year drew five watts and the biggest drew 25," said Lonny Bornstein of the City of Syracuse Engineering Department.

Not only are the lights more energy-efficient, they also last longer than the bulbs that used to be on the Clinton Square tree.

"They have a 100,000 hour life span where the others only have a 2,000 hour life span. Obviously the energy savings will pay for itself," said Bornstein.

When choosing which tree will be placed in Clinton Square each year, there are certain qualifications that have to be met.

"It has to be a Norway Spruce, no less than 55 feet or so, it has to be near the road because of the heavy equipment we use to get it and it has to be free of wires," said Mary Beth Roach, public information officer for the Syracuse Parks Department.

This year's tree came from a farm in Baldwinsville.

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people are expected to turn out to watch it light up the night sky.

"It brings the community together and it's a great family event. Especially when the tree lights, just to see the kids, kids of all ages for that matter, to see their faces," said Roach.

Holiday Magic in the Square begins at 7 p.m. on Friday.

This year's tree stands at 70 feet tall.

The lighting ceremony follows a musical stage production of “A Christmas Fantasy” in Clinton Square.