Highlights: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree shines bright, capping star-studded ceremony
This version of Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting 2025 Live Updates Rcna247035 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.
This year's tree is a 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, New York.
What to know
- The Rockefeller Center tree is lit and the holiday season is underway in New York City.
- Host Reba McEntire, Marc Anthony, Kristin Chenoweth, Brad Paisley, Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé and the Radio City Rockettes entertained the crowd with festive performances.
- The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce from New York is 45 feet in diameter, weighs 11 tons and is dressed in 50,000 multicolored lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star.
From Christmas in the city to Christmas in the country
If a country Christmas is more your vibe, you might be interested in a country music-themed holiday special.
If you missed the hourlong "Christmas in Nashville" special, hosted by Trisha Yearwood on NBC, it will be available to stream tomorrow on Peacock.
Tune in for holiday performances from Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Lauren Alaina, Ne-Yo, The War and Treaty, and Trace Adkins.
Photos: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit
The tree is lit during the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony Wednesday in New York City. Theo Wargo / Getty Images
Laufey performs "Santa Baby." Theo Wargo / Getty Images
Reba McEntire and Kristin Chenoweth perform "Silver Bells." Theo Wargo / Getty Images
The tree is now lit after a night of performances by musical stars, guest appearances and a duet featuring host Reba McEntire and Kristin Chenoweth.
If you haven't had enough Christmas tree fun ...
... you can catch the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony tomorrow night in Washington.
This year's event takes place tomorrow and will be broadcast Friday.
The tree will be lit on the Ellipse at the White House and President’s Park. Great American Family will air the full event at 8 p.m. Friday.
This year's performers include Alana Springsteen, Brett Young, Gabby Barrett, Jillian Cardarelli, Jon Pardi, Matthew West, the Beach Boys, and Warren Zeiders, with Gabby Barrett and Matthew West serving as co-hosts.
The tree is officially lit!
It's officially the holiday season in New York City!
The iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is officially lit and will shine for the rest of the season as a beacon of holiday spirit and cheer.
Just as the lights went up, a choir sang "Joy to the World."
Countdown underway!
The countdown to the tree lighting is underway!
In just a few seconds, the Rockefeller Center's 75-foot-tall Norwegian spruce will light up in 50,000 multicolored lights and a 900-pound Swarovski star.
Grinch beware!
Rockettes return to kick start the holiday spirit
The Rockettes returned for their annual beloved performance at the ceremony, performing in sparking outfits with dramatic high kicks and high-energy synchronized dancing.
100 years of high kicks from the Rockettes
The Rockettes have been kicking it for an entire century.
The famed dance troupe is celebrating its 100th year with its classic precise, high-kick dance routines.
And while it's New York staple, the group didn't start out that way. It got its start in 1925 as the “Missouri Rockets” in St. Louis, Missouri, before moving to Radio City Music Hall in 1932 and becoming the Rockettes.
For even more holiday programing
The holiday specials are just starting.
Plan out your festive viewing this week on NBC:
- "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 8 to 8:30 p.m. ET tomorrow
- "Frosty the Snowman," 8:30 to 9 p.m. ET tomorrow
- "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," 8 to 9:15 p.m. ET Friday
Kristin Chenoweth wows the crowd with 'Merry Christmas, Darling'
Broadway icon Kristin Chenoweth took the stage with her rendition of “Merry Christmas, Darling” by The Carpenters.
Kristin Chenoweth performs during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday in New York City. Theo Wargo / Getty Images
Halle Bailey shines with performance of 'My Favorite Things'
Halle Bailey, a vision in a long white gown, sang “My Favorite Things,” the beloved song from “The Sound of Music.”
It's a jazzy night with Laufey
Icelandic singer Laufey, bedecked in red, sang the classic "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" joined by a jazz band.
Brad Paisley rocks out with 'A Marshmallow World'
Country star Brad Paisley sang his heart out, belting “A Marshmallow World,” a cover part of his recently released holiday album.
The Christmas hit was previously sung by holiday legends Bing Crosby and Dean Martin.
See how the White House is spruced up for Christmas
The White House revealed its Christmas decor Monday, showing off dazzling lights and bright reds and greens throughout.
Dominoes and bows line a fireplace in one room, while another features a tree laden with blue butterflies.
Branding celebrating America's 250th birthday appears throughout, as does the color blue, a show of patriotism during this holiday season.
New Edition serenades crowd with 'It’s Christmas (All Over The World)'
The six members of iconic R&B group New Edition crooned their hit "It’s Christmas (All Over The World)," sharing the magic of Santa's journey across the globe on Christmas Eve.
Olympians greet the crowd
Olympic speedskater Kristen Santos-Griswold and Para snowboarders Noah Elliott and Brenna Huckaby waved to supporters at the tree lighting ceremony.
They’re set to complete for Team USA in Milan and Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, in February and March.
Prometheus statue ready to sparkle for the next 25 years
The Prometheus statue that sits right next to the iconic skating rink at Rockefeller Center — which has provided the backdrop for some of tonight's performances — was recently regilded with sheets of gold leaf by trained artisans. It’s a facelift that happens every 25 years.
Gwen Stefani dazzles as she sings her holiday hit 'Hot Cocoa'
It may be cold outside, but Gwen Stefani warmed the crowd up with her spicy and cozy holiday hit "Hot Cocoa."
The hit is from her 2017 album “You Make It Feel like Christmas.”
Marc Anthony gets the crowd dancing with 'Feliz Navidad'
Marc Anthony serenaded the crowd with a holiday classic — “Feliz Navidad.”
Anthony had the crowd singing and dancing along to his rendition of the hit, full of salsa flair.
Marc Anthony performs. Theo Wargo / Getty Images
Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce perform 'Maybe this Christmas'
The King of Christmas has arrived!
Michael Bublé wowed the crowd alongside Carly Pearce as they performed their 2024 hit “Maybe This Christmas.”
Sparkling in the skyline
This year's Norway spruce will be wrapped in more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights strung along 5 miles of wire and topped with a 900-pound star made of 3 million Swarovski crystals.
It will keep the city's skyline sparkling through January.
Once it has finished serving the city, it will be milled into lumber for Habitat for Humanity.
Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony begins
The Rockefeller Center 2025 tree lighting ceremony has officially begun, ringing in the festive season cheer.
It kicks off two hours of heartwarming moments and star-studded performances in the heart of New York City.
The show began with a performance by host Reba McEntire singing "Run Rudolph Run."
Rockefeller Center has been lighting a Christmas tree since 1933
Rockefeller Center’s first Christmas tree lighting officially took place in 1933, but two years earlier, a group of Rockefeller Center workers chipped in to buy a 20-foot tree for the area, decorated with homemade garlands.
The famed ice rink was introduced in 1936, along with two trees. But with World War II, tree decorations became more modest, and in 1942, three smaller trees were lit rather than one huge tree.
The 1950s brought the introduction of scaffolding to decorate the tree — a process that required 20 men and nine days before the decade was out.
In 1997, the tree, which was from Stony Point, New York, traveled by barge down the Hudson River to 30 Rock. The next year’s tree, from Richfield, Ohio, was flown to New York City on the world’s largest transport plane.
Rockefeller Center’s largest-ever tree, 100 feet tall, stood on the plaza in 1999. And in 2001, people from around the world visited the tree, decorated in patriotic red, white and blue.
The first Swarovski crystal star topped Rockefeller Center’s tree in 2004. The one used today was created in 2018.
Real or artificial tree? Scarlett Johansson weighs in
Live is the way to go when it comes to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. But there is much discussion about going for the real thing or opting for artificial at home. "TODAY’s" Jenna Bush Hager and guest co-host Scarlett Johansson weigh in on the great debate.
Forget the Grinch — this year, it’s tariffs that could try to steal the Christmas tree
Artificial Christmas trees will cost an estimated 10% to 20% more this season than they did last year because of increased tariff costs, according to several major U.S. importers. And the cost of lights could jump as much as 63% for the same reason.
Mass market Christmas decor has not been manufactured in the United States for decades. If vendors were to try to make it domestically, the mere cost of moving the manufacturing operations would be prohibitive — let alone actually producing the trees.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas
The weather for the tree lighting looks great, just what you would expect for early December.
Dry conditions are expected, with clear skies overhead and light winds.
Temperatures in the mid-30s will make it feel just enough like the holidays without its being too cold to enjoy the celebration.
How long will the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree glow?
Once the flip is switched tonight, the massive Christmas tree will light up daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.
On Christmas Eve, it will shine for 24 hours, but on New Year's Eve, the tree is illuminated only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The tree will be on display to the public through mid-January.
Reba takes a break from 'The Voice' to flip the switch
Music legend, actor and "The Voice" judge Reba McEntire is gearing up to host and perform at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting tonight.
She's also celebrating season two of “Happy’s Place” and planning a wedding to Rex Linn, whom she's working with on the sitcom.
Map: Where Christmas trees are grown in the U.S.
This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was chopped down in Rensselaer County, New York.
Statistically speaking, that’s unusual.
While New York state is one of the 10 leading producers of Christmas trees in the U.S., according to the Agriculture Department, it accounts for less than 3% of the country’s cut Christmas tree output.
Nationwide, about 1 of every 3 Christmas trees that are cut down are cut down in Oregon.
Map: See how much acreage is devoted to Christmas tree farms in the county where you live.
Meet this year's tree
The famed Christmas tree that will brighten midtown Manhattan through the holidays hails from East Greenbush, New York.
It's a 75-foot Norway spruce that weighs 11 tons, stands 75 feet tall and is 45 feet in diameter.
It was donated by the Russ family, who planted it 60 years ago.
"I'm excited to make more cherished memories with my family and childhood friends as it becomes the world's Christmas tree," Judy Russ said.
How to watch the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
The tree lighting ceremony starts at 7 tonight, and the tree will actually be lit just before 10 p.m.
It will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
This year's ceremony will be hosted by Reba McEntire, who will be joined by the "TODAY" show's Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and Craig Melvin.
Some things never change
The holidays are the perfect time to look back at Christmases past. Here's what decking the halls looked like at Rockefeller Center in 1960.
Who is performing at the tree lighting?
A host of entertainers will cozy up in their cutest Christmas gear and keep you warm and snuggly while you watch the tree lighting ceremony.
Be sure to tune in for performances from newcomers and others who have graced Rockefeller Plaza before.
Here's who is set to perform:
- Marc Anthony
- Halle Bailey
- Michael Bublé
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Laufey
- New Edition
- Brad Paisley
- Carly Pearce
- Gwen Stefani
- The Radio City Rockettes
Widow who donated this year's tree says husband ‘always talked’ about this day
Judy and Dan Russ had always thought the giant Norway spruce outside their home in upstate New York would make the perfect Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
The dream has become reality, but with a bittersweet twist. Dan died at age 32 in 2020, so the tree from the family's home in East Greenbush will now serve as a memory of him when it shines bright for millions of visitors during the holiday season.
“As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been here for this moment,” Judy Russ said. “We always talked about it being the [Rockefeller Center] tree. It’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s, if not the world’s, Christmas tree.”
