How to Watch This Year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Stephanie Osmanski
·2 min read
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How to Watch the Tree Lighting in Rockefeller Center

There’s hardly a more magical destination than New York City at Christmastime, but there’s one NYC holiday event that really kicks the season into full gear: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. And we have all the details you'll need to know!

How to watch the 2023 Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting

The Christmas in Rockefeller Center special will air on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 29, 2023 with the iconic Christmas tree lighting taking place at the end of the special.

Who is hosting the 2023 Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center?

The 2023 Christmas in Rockefeller Center special will be hosted by Kelly Clarkson, who will also be performing. Clarkson recently moved her talk show from Los Angeles to New York, where it shoots in 30 Rock. That makes her an obvious host for the tree lighting as it will be glowing right outside her office. Clarkson announced the new gig on her show on Oct. 26, 2023.

When is the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center?

To celebrate, NBC is back with its Christmas in Rockefeller Center special in honor of the legendary lighting event. The tree lighting will take place at 10 p.m. ET on Nov. 29, 2023, but NBC's special will start at 8 p.m. ET.

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Who is performing at the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center?

We're finally getting more names of performers for the star-studded tree lighting ceremony, including the one and only Cher!

Other stars include Chloe Bailey, Adam Blackstone, Keke Palmer, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Liz Gillies, Darlene Love, Seth MacFarlane, Barry Manilow, Carly Pearce and Manuel Turizo.

Every year the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center is quite the to-do, with big names performing. Last year's acts included Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and, of course, the Radio City Rockettes.

How can I stream Christmas at Rockefeller Center?

Just like in 2022, the Christmas at Rockefeller Center special will be available to watch on the NBC app, on NBC.com and on Peacock as well as NBC proper.

Can I visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree?

If you’re planning on visiting the tree in Rockefeller Center, the tree is lit daily from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. On Christmas Day, it’s lit for a full 24 hours and on New Year’s, it stays lit from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.

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And while the tree lighting ceremony has awed those in New York City and beyond since 1931, when the lights dim and the tree is removed from 30 Rock, the spruce is to be milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity to build homes in the area.

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