With Christmas approaching,Kevin Costneris in the midst of trimming his tree.
For an interview about his upcoming ABC special chronicling the birth of Jesus, "Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas" (Dec. 9, 8 ET/PT, streaming on Hulu and Disney+ the next day), the actor sits in front of a tall, flocked tree with multi-colored lights. Soon, he'll add those ornaments that can tug on a heartstring the way they do a branch.
"I like the kind of knickknack ... things of familiarity that have a level of history myself," he says. An ornament can transport Costner back to the time when he got it or cherished moments with the four-legged friend it commemorates.
It's Midtown Manhattan at its most lit.The Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, an annual tradition that signals the start of the holiday season, arrived live on NBC and Peacock Wednesday night, complete with performances from Brad Paisley, Laufey and Michael Bublé. Country icon Reba McEntire is serving as host, aided by NBC "TODAY" anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Savannah Guthrie.
Follow along for the best photos of the night, from the stars to the lights, starting with McEntire performing on Dec. 3, 2025.
Reba McEntire and Kristin Chenoweth perform during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The Radio City Rockettes perform for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The Christmas tree is lit during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kristin Chenoweth performs during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Carly Pearce and Michael Bublé perform during the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halle Bailey" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gwen Stefani " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Brad Paisley" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
The Radio City Rockettes" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
New Edition" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Reba McEntire" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, and Craig Melvin " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
New Edition" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Laufey" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Marc Anthony " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Reba McEntire " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Laufey" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Marc Anthony" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Reba McEntire " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halle Bailey " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
People take photos near the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree hours before it will be lit. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kristin Chenoweth, Gwen Stefani and more light up Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
It's Midtown Manhattan at its most lit.
TheRockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting, an annual tradition that signals the start of the holiday season, arrived live on NBC and Peacock Wednesday night, complete with performances fromBrad Paisley,LaufeyandMichael Bublé. Country iconReba McEntireis serving as host, aided by NBC "TODAY" anchors Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Savannah Guthrie.Follow along for the best photos of the night, from the stars to the lights, starting with McEntire performing on Dec. 3, 2025.
"Sometimes they're your old dogs that you don't have anymore," he says. "You hang their little ornament for them. It's kind of sweet."
Beneath the tree, he puts gifts for his children. He has seven: Annie, 41, Lily, 39, and Joe Costner, 37, from his marriage to Cindy Silva (1978 to 1994); Liam Costner, 29, from a relationship with Bridget Rooney; and Cayden, 18, Hayes, 16, and Grace, 15, whom he shares with second wifeChristine Baumgartner(2004 to 2024).
"You go from getting them things to (thinking), as they get older, 'What do they need? What do they really need?' And a lot of times the answer is they don't need a lot. What they want is attention and love."
Though Costner appreciates time withhis children, he acknowledges the season isn't merry and bright for all.
"Christmas, it's not always great for everyone. It's a great time of year, but for a lot of people, it's their first time being alone," he says. "We have people that are displaced, that have been separated (from) families. My brother and my mother and father have passed away. I'm the only one.
"I have this family that sustains me," he adds. "Christmas is a time to pull people in, too, and think about what they need. Maybe it's just to be under a roof with people that are happy. It's a day to be together."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kevin Costner feels pang of loss at Christmas − 'I'm the only one'