The annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, a tradition as New York as overpriced bagels and questionable subway smells, returns to NBC and Peacock on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. For the 92nd iteration of this festive spectacle, viewers can anticipate a sleigh-full of musical performances, celebrity appearances, and enough holiday cheer to temporarily distract from the impending credit card bills.
Kelly Clarkson, fresh off another year of talk show triumphs and vocal acrobatics, will once again helm the two-hour extravaganza, airing at 8 p.m. ET. Whether she’ll reprise her iconic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” rendition from her first year hosting remains a mystery, but one can certainly hope. Joining Clarkson in spreading yuletide joy are a mix of familiar favorites and newer acts, including the Backstreet Boys (still bringing the boy band magic), country duo Dan + Shay, Broadway star Megan Hilty, the powerhouse vocals of Jennifer Hudson, rising star Coco Jones, country quartet Little Big Town, British singer-songwriter RAYE, Latin pop icon Thalia, and of course, the high-kicking precision of the Radio City Rockettes.
No holiday special would be complete without a sprinkle of morning show magic, and the “TODAY” anchors — Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin — are set to make a special appearance. If Al doesn’t get a chance to wax poetic about the weather, it just wouldn’t be Christmas. For those who can’t get enough pre-tree lighting excitement, an additional hour of festivities, hosted by Mario Lopez, Natalie Pasquarella, and David Ushery, will air on NBC stations and affiliates at 7 p.m. ET. Telemundo will also simulcast the event at 9 p.m. ET as “Navidades en Rockefeller Center.”
Of course, the true star of the show is the tree itself: a 74-foot Norway Spruce hailing from West Stockbridge, Mass. Adorned with over 50,000 LED lights and topped with a Swarovski star that could probably be seen from space, the tree will later be donated to Habitat for Humanity, a welcome reminder that the holiday spirit is about more than just twinkling lights. In keeping with the spirit of giving, NBCUniversal continues its partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, planting nearly 20,000 trees in the Apalachicola National Forest. Viewers will also have opportunities to donate to Red Nose Day throughout the night to support programs combating child poverty.
The 92nd Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center airs Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The pre-show airs at 7 p.m. ET.
