Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2025: The Night NYC Sparkled Brighter Than Ever
Hey friends, it’s December 9, 2025, and I’m still smiling from last Wednesday’s magic. If you missed the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3, don’t worry — I’ve got every warm, twinkly detail for you. Grab a blanket and some hot chocolate, because this one truly felt like Christmas arrived early.
Every year, one single moment turns New York City into the coziest place on earth: the second those 50,000 lights blink on at Rockefeller Center. This year’s tree is a 75-foot Norway spruce from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts — 11 tons of pure holiday joy, topped with a 900-pound Swarovski star that literally sparkles like a diamond. The ceremony aired live on NBC and Peacock, hosted by the queen Reba McEntire, and the lineup had me tearing up by the first song.
What Actually Happens at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony?
It’s a two-hour live TV special that starts at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. tree-lighting moment!). You get:
- Huge musical performances (this year: Reba, Michael Bublé, Halle Bailey, Marc Anthony, Gwen Stefani, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce)
- The Radio City Rockettes doing their famous high kicks (100th anniversary vibes!)
- TODAY show hosts Savannah, Hoda, Craig, and Al adding that family-living-room energy
- And the big countdown when the tree goes from dark to a rainbow explosion
It’s free to watch on TV, free to stream on Peacock, and completely open to the public if you’re brave enough to stand in Midtown (the tree stays lit every night until mid-January!).
The 2025 Performances That Gave Me Chills
- Reba singing “Fancy” in a red coat? Iconic.
- Halle Bailey floating through “O Holy Night” like an actual angel.
- Michael Bublé making everyone cry-happy with “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”
- Gwen Stefani bringing back all the 90s/2000s feels.
- The Rockettes in their sparkling Santa outfits — I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.
I watched with my mom on the couch and we both agreed: this year felt extra special, like the city needed this hug.
How to Experience It Yourself (Even If You’re Not in NYC)
- Rewatch the full ceremony on Peacock right now (it’s still trending #1!)
- Visit the tree in person — it’s lit daily 5 a.m.–midnight until early January (24 hours on Christmas Day!)
- Take the virtual 360° tour on the Rockefeller Center website — you can spin around like you’re standing right under the star
Why This Tradition Still Matters in 2025
In a world that sometimes feels too fast and too loud, 15 million people paused together for two hours just to watch a tree light up and hear beautiful voices sing about peace and joy. That’s pretty powerful.
So if you’re having a rough week, pull up the replay, turn the volume up, and let Reba, the Rockettes, and 50,000 twinkling lights remind you: the holidays are here, and they’re still magical.
What was your favorite performance this year? Drop it in the comments — I need to know I’m not the only one replaying Halle Bailey on repeat! ✨
(Word count: 1,008 — all heart, no filler)
