NBC kicks off the holiday season lighting of one of the world’s most famous Christmas trees in the heart of New York City for the 90th time with the annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center special. The two-hour telecast airs Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Performances from fan favorite talent show alums and The Voice coaches
Viewers will be treated to festive performances by Jimmie Allen, Andrea Bocelli along with Matteo Bocelli and Virginia Bocelli, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Alicia Keys, The Muppets of Sesame Street, Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, The Shindellas, Gwen Stefani, Louis York and more. The evening also includes a performance by the Radio City Rockettes from their iconic “Christmas Spectacular” and a special bit by Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph. Plus, Shelton and Stefani deliver a rare nationally televised duet of their holiday single, “You Make It Feel Like Christmas.”
NBC News’ “TODAY” co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and ACCESS Hollywood host Mario Lopez will host the highly anticipated holiday special.
NBC owned stations will air an extra hour starting at 7 pm ET
Prior to the primetime telecast, an additional live hour of the special will be broadcast on all NBC Owned Television Stations and on numerous NBC affiliates nationwide starting at 7 p.m. ET. Check local listings. This special live hour will be led by Lopez and WNBC news anchors Natalie Pasquarella and David Ushery.
“The tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is one of the most beloved holiday traditions for audiences both in New York and around the country,” said Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBC Entertainment. “We’re delighted to have a star-studded lineup of performers help us celebrate and ring in the season.”
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree has a long tradition
The tradition of the Rockefeller Christmas tree dates back nine decades to 1931 during the Great Depression. The first official tree-lighting ceremony occurred two years later in 1933 in front of the then eight-month-old RCA Building (the current Comcast Building). The Christmas tree gathering was enhanced in 1936 with the opening of the Rockefeller Plaza outdoor ice skating rink. NBC-TV televised the tree lighting for the first time in 1951 on “The Kate Smith Show” and as part of the nationwide “Howdy Doody” television show from 1953-55.
The annual holiday special will celebrate the lighting of an 82-foot tall, 50-foot wide Norway Spruce from Queensbury, N.Y. The tree weighs approximately 14 tons, will be adorned with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star covered in three million crystals.
At key moments throughout the night, viewers will have the opportunity to donate to Red Nose Day in support of programs that ensure children and families have the access they need to healthcare, nutritious food, quality education and a safe place to call home.
