'Christmas In Rockefeller Centre': Air time, date, headliners and everything you need to know about the tree lighting ceremony
A world-wide symbol of the holiday season in brisk New York City, The Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree will be adorned with 50,000 multi-colored LEDs and a Swarovski star.
The 87th annual holiday special will showcase nature's beauty, a 70-year-old Norway Spruce, standing at 77 feet and weighing 12 tons, from the Village of Florida in Orange Country, New York.
From a small sapling in 1959 to its destiny as being center stage, in all its bright glory this week — you do not want to miss this iconic tree lighting ceremony. It is set for bigger things after the ceremony, when on January 17, the lumber will be donated to 'Habitat for Humanity' to build homes in the region.
Air Time and Network
While most huddle around for warmth to witness this iconic tree lighting ceremony, you can catch one of the most witnessed holiday moments on NBC on December 4, Wednesday, from 8 to 10 pm ET/PT. You can also watch the pre-show at 7 pm ET.
Hosts and Headliners
The live telecast from Manhattan will be hosted by 'Today' anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker. Showcasing the lighting of an enormous Norway Spruce in the Rockefeller plaza to performances by the biggest names in the entertainment industry, fans await this merry day.
The pre-show will be hosted by Mario Lopez, Natalie Pasquarella, and Stefan Holt.
The headliners singing their hearts out will include Chicago, Brett Eldredge, Derek and Julianne Hough, John Legend, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, NE-YO, Gwen Stefani, Straight No Chaser, and Skylar Astin and Alex Newell.
According to NBC, Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs said, "NBC is proud to be the home to the most iconic tree-lighting ceremony in the country. We are thrilled to have an incredible lineup of performers, along with our hosts, as we kick off the holiday season.”
Jon Bon Jovi Joins The Stars
NBC announced on December 2, that Jon Bon Jovi was added to the star-studded "brightest event of the year" line-up and will perform 'Unbroken', his new song.
The song featured in the Netflix documentary 'To Be of Service' and is a tribute honoring veterans who live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while coping with civilian life.
Creators
With a tradition dating back to the Great Depression in 1931, the tree lighting ceremony began in 1993. Making it big in 1936 when the Rockefeller Plaza opened, it was first televised in 1951. 'Christmas in Rockefeller Centre' is presented by Brad Lachman Productions, with Bill Bracken as co-executive producer and Debbie Palacio as director.