When Is the Rockefeller Tree Lighting? How to Watch the Annual Holiday Celebration Emily BlackwoodDecember 2, 2025 at 3:30 AM 0 Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center on December 4th, 2024 in New York City The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Dec. 3 Reba McEntire will host NBC's televised ceremony of the lighting, Christmas in Rockefeller Center She'll also perform alongside artists like Gwen Stefani, Brad Paisley and Carly Pearce It's not Christmas until the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit.
- - When Is the Rockefeller Tree Lighting? How to Watch the Annual Holiday Celebration
Emily BlackwoodDecember 2, 2025 at 3:30 AM
0
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty
The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center on December 4th, 2024 in New York City -
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Dec. 3
Reba McEntire will host NBC's televised ceremony of the lighting, Christmas in Rockefeller Center
She'll also perform alongside artists like Gwen Stefani, Brad Paisley and Carly Pearce
It's not Christmas until the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit.
The 75-foot Norway Spruce's over 50,000 multicolored lights and 9-foot-diameter 2018 Swarovski star will officially light up the sky on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Though New York City residents and tourists have been able to witness the magic in person since 1933, it wasn't until NBC televised the tree lighting on The Kate Smith Show in 1951 that the Rockefeller Center tree lighting became a holiday tradition for households around the U.S.
This year, Christmas in Rockefeller will start airing at 8 p.m. ET, and there's a whole lot of festive fun taking place before the massive spruce illuminates the heart of N.Y.C. From major artists performing your favorite carols to first-time hosts, the show is sure to be packed with seasonal cheer.
Here's everything to know about the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and how to tune in.
When is the Rockefeller Tree lighting?
Manoli Figetakis/Getty
Workers install the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on November 08, 2025 in New York City.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in Rockefeller Center.
New York City residents and tourists can witness the spruce in all its holiday glory until January 2026. After that, it will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and milled into lumber for building homes.
What time does the Rockefeller lighting start?
Craig T Fruchtman/Getty
A view of snow falling during The Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony on December 04, 2024 in New York City.
Though the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 7 p.m. ET, NBC's televised lighting ceremony kicks off an hour later at 8 p.m. ET.
The special will last two hours, ending with the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
Who is hosting the Rockefeller Tree lighting?
Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty
Reba McEntire at the 60th Academy Of Country Music Awards Press Conference on May 07, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
For the first time ever, Reba McEntire will host NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center, the network's live broadcast of the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The country artist and Happy's Place actress told PEOPLE in October 2025 that she's never been to N.Y.C. in December and is "really excited" to go.
"To see all the Christmas decorations and to get to be a part of the tree lighting ceremony, Rockefeller Center, it's something that I've always wanted to do and I'm honored that they asked me to do it," she said.
"I'm going to triple, quadruple layer," the Reba star said, regarding the colder weather. "I'll probably have my heated vest on, and all the clothes I can, insulated underwear."
In addition to her hosting duties, McEntire will also perform during the ceremony. Viewers can also expect special appearances from Today anchors Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin and Al Roker.
Who is performing at the Rockefeller Tree lighting?
Amy Sussman/Getty ; Kristina Bumphrey/Billboard via Getty ; Terry Wyatt/Getty
Halle Bailey attends the 2025 GQ Men Of The Year party on November 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California ; Gwen Stefani at Audacy's Leading Ladies on April 03, 2025 in New York ; Carly Pearce attends the 18th Academy Of Country Music Honors on August 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Christmas in Rockefeller Center will feature a lineup of festive performances from Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce and Gwen Stefani.
The Radio City Rockettes — who are celebrating their 100th anniversary — will also hit the stage for a special festive performance.
Where can I watch the Rockefeller Tree lighting?
Amy Sussman/Getty ; Kristina Bumphrey/Billboard via Getty ; Terry Wyatt/Getty
Halle Bailey attends the 2025 GQ Men Of The Year party on November 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California ; Gwen Stefani at Audacy's Leading Ladies on April 03, 2025 in New York ; Carly Pearce attends the 18th Academy Of Country Music Honors on August 20, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Viewers can tune into a live, televised ceremony of the tree lighting on NBC, and the show will also be simulcast on Peacock for those who don't have cable.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: December 02, 2025 at 03:00PM on Source: SHOWBIZ MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle