Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting: When and How to Watch
The holiday season is in full swing, and what better way to kick it off than with the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony in New York City! This year, the ceremony will take place on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and you can catch all the magic live on NBC or stream it on Peacock during the two-hour “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” special.
Hosting the event is none other than the talented Kelly Clarkson, known for her powerhouse vocals and infectious personality. She first performed at the ceremony over 20 years ago and will be returning to host this year. According to Clarkson, being part of the tree lighting ceremony feels like stepping into a magical holiday movie, and she’s excited to be hosting again. The event will feature a lineup of music stars and will culminate in the stunning tree being lit with tens of thousands of twinkling Christmas lights.
If you’re wondering how to attend the ceremony in person, the Rockefeller Center area is open to the public. You can also purchase tickets to be photographed with the tree in the background, or opt for VIP tickets for a close-up view of the festive tree. Just be sure to bundle up, as temperatures are expected to be chillier than usual, with the possibility of showers and snow later in the week.
This year’s tree is a 74-foot-tall Norway spruce from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, which arrived at Rockefeller Center on November 9th. Adorned with over 50,000 multicolor LED lights and topped with a stunning Swarovski star designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the tree is a sight to behold. After the holiday season, the tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to be used in building homes for those in need.
The ceremony promises to be a holiday music spectacular, with performances by the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay, Megan Hilty, Thalia, and more. The Radio City Rockettes will also be there to dazzle the audience with their high-energy performance. In addition, NBC News anchors from the “TODAY” show will make special appearances to add to the festive spirit.
So mark your calendars for this magical event and get ready to kick off the holiday season in style with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It’s a time-honored tradition that never fails to spread joy and cheer to all who attend or watch from home.
