The Voice of the Heartland Meets the Heart of the Holidays—Willie Nelson to Light Up Rockefeller Center Like Never Before 🎶✨ML
Willie Nelson to Host “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC This December
NBC has announced that country music icon Willie Nelson will host this year’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center, airing live on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, and streaming on Peacock.
The network’s annual holiday event — featuring the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree — is among the most-watched seasonal broadcasts in America.
Nelson, 92, is expected to bring his signature warmth and humor to the show, blending traditional carols with his timeless country flair. NBC described this year’s special as “deeply heartfelt and proudly American,” promising both nostalgia and surprise.
“Christmas is about light — the kind that never goes out,” Nelson said in a statement. “I just want to share a little of that with everyone.”
While the full list of performers remains confidential, several names have been rumored, including Carrie Underwood, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, and Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson. The show will reportedly conclude with a rendition of Silent Night featuring all performers and a children’s choir.
Insiders also hint at a possible cameo from Dolly Parton, a longtime friend and collaborator of Nelson.
Executive producer Erika Kirk said the choice of Nelson as host was deliberate: “We wanted someone who embodies the heart of America — someone who reminds us that music can unite people. Willie does that effortlessly.”
The event will culminate in the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, featuring more than 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski star containing over three million crystals.
With Nelson’s history of bridging generations and genres, this year’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center promises to be both a musical celebration and a moment of reflection — a reminder of unity, light, and the enduring spirit of the season.
