Who is hosting the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree? This is the 2025 host and performers

It’s been a Christmas tradition held every year since 1931, usually on the first Wednesday after Thanksgioving. Nothing quite captures the festive spirit in New York City like the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan.

This year’s ceremony takes place this evening, Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 30 Rockefeller Center Plaza, and will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock during the two-hour special “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.”

This year, the tree comes from East Greenbush, New York: a majestic Norway spruce, approximately 75 years old, donated by the Russ family. It was cut down on Nov. 6, transported to Manhattan, and erected in the plaza on Nov. 8, ready for the highly anticipated lighting ceremony.

Who is hosting the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree?

Country legend Reba McEntire is more familiar with hosting the annual ACM Awards than lighting up Christmas trees but she will be hosting NBC’s coverage of Christmas in Rockefeller Center for the first time in her career as well as performing on the night.

In fact, the 70-year-old Oklahoma-born singer admitted that she has never been to New York City at this time of year and will be well wrapped up as temperatures will be close to zero when tonight’s ceremony gets underway.

“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,” Reba told People. “I’m going to triple, quadruple layer. I’ll probably have my heated vest on, and all the clothes I can, insulated underwear.”

Reba will be joined by Today anchors Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin and Al Roker for the two-hour broadcast.

Which artists will be performing at Rockefeller Center?

McEntire will perform during the ceremony, featuring alongside special appearances from Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce and Gwen Stefani.

The iconic, high-kicking Radio City Rockettes, celebrating their 100th anniversary, will be taking a break from their Christmas Spectacular on Broadway to hit the stage for a special festive performance.

When does the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree light up? How and where to watch

Decorated with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights and topped with a nine-foot, 900-pound Swarovski star, the tree will be a giant symbol of hope and festivity and will remain lit from its grand lighting night until mid-January 2026, at which point its wood will be recycled and used by Habitat for Humanity to build homes.

For those who cannot be in the square, the event can be followed from home, as the broadcast on NBC will begin at 8 p.m. (ET) today, Wednesday, Dec. 3, and will last until 10 p.m., during which time the tree will be lit live.

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