Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting 2025: Reba McEntire Hosts Star-Studded Celebration
The annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved tradition marking the official start of the holiday season, illuminated Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, with a dazzling display of music and festive cheer. The live broadcast, available on NBC and Peacock, featured performances from a diverse lineup of artists, headlined by country icon Reba McEntire and supported by NBC “TODAY” anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Savannah Guthrie.
A Tree of Grand Proportions
At the heart of the celebration stood a majestic 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce, sourced from East Greenbush, New York. Adorned with 50,000 LED Christmas lights and crowned with a brilliant Swarovski star, the tree served as a breathtaking centerpiece for the evening’s festivities. The evergreen weighed approximately 11 tons and measured 45 feet in diameter, a testament to its impressive scale.
Performances Illuminate the Night
The evening’s entertainment roster was packed with talent. Gwen Stefani kicked off the ceremony with a vibrant performance of her new track, “Shake the Snow Globe,” followed by renditions of “Hot Cocoa” and “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.” McEntire herself delivered a touching cover of Vince Gill’s “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” showcasing her signature velvety vocals and reminding audiences of her role as a coach on “The Voice.” She later energized the crowd with a spirited performance of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run.”
A highlight of the night was the collaborative performance between Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce, who stunned the audience with a duet of “Maybe This Christmas.” Earlier, Bublé had captivated the crowd with a solo performance of “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
The holiday spirit continued with performances from Halle Bailey, who delivered a powerful rendition of “Last Christmas,” Marc Anthony, who performed both “Christmas Auld Lang Syne” and the bilingual classic “Feliz Navidad,” and Brad Paisley, who offered a country-infused version of “The First Noel.” Anthony also treated the audience to his hit song, “Vivir mi vida.”
Icelandic singer Laufey brought her unique jazz-infused style to the stage, performing her original song “Christmas Magic” from her EP, “A Very Laufey Holiday,” as well as a cover of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”
The legendary Radio City Rockettes celebrated their 100th anniversary with a dazzling display of precision dance, blending tap and ballet choreography with winter jazz. R&B group New Edition made a triumphant return to the Rockefeller stage, performing Christmas anthems “Happy Holidays to You” and “It’s Christmas (All Over the World).” Bailey’s rendition of “Favorite Things” drew a particularly enthusiastic response from the crowd, with one observer noting the performance was “10 times louder” than previous acts. Finally, Kristin Chenoweth showcased her Broadway prowess with a performance of Karen Carpenter’s “Merry Christmas Darling,” later joining McEntire for a harmonious rendition of “Silver Bells.”
The Moment the City Awaited
After three hours of captivating performances, the anticipation reached its peak as McEntire, alongside hosts Melvin, Roker, and Guthrie, led the countdown to the lighting of the magnificent evergreen. The illumination of the tree marked the official start of the holiday season, bringing a sense of joy and wonder to all who witnessed it.
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting continues to be a cherished tradition, embodying the spirit of the holidays and bringing communities together in celebration.
