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,Laufey,Marc Anthony, Carly Pearce andMichael Bublé. Country iconReba McEntireserved as host of the magical night, aided by NBC "TODAY" anchorsCraig Melvin,Al Roker, andSavannah Guthrie.
At the center of all is the grand fixture: a 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce from East Greenbush, New York,decorated with 50,000 LED Christmas lightsand a Swarovski star on top.
Here's a rundown on the highlights.
How to watch the Rockefeller Tree Lighting
Thelive broadcast of the tree lightingwill premiere on NBC and Peacock on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. ET.
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.
Gwen Stefani gets the show started
Gwen Stefani opened the ceremony with a pink fit while singing her new track "Shake the Snow Globe."
Gwen Stefani performing her latest song " Shake The Snow Globe" and dazzling up the Rockefeller Center for its Christmas Tree Lighting in NYC tonightpic.twitter.com/cEEHXscD1q
— Kate🇵🇭💐JustAShefaniGirl🕵️♀️ (@forgwenandblake)December 3, 2025
For her second performance of the night, Stefani performed "Hot Cocoa" as she continued her fifth run at the annual show.For her last song, she donned a dazzling green gown while singing the title track of her 2017 holiday album "You Make It Feel Like Christmas."
Host Reba performs 'Let There Be Peace on Earth'
McEntire helped kick off the ceremony with a touching cover of Vince Gill's 1993 classic "Let There Be Peace on Earth." She donned a white fur coat and gloves as she wished the world a Merry Christmas and reminded the public why she is a coach on "The Voice" with her velvety vocals.
The"Happy's Place"star later returned to the stage to hype up the crowd with Chuck Berry's Christmas rock and roll gem "Run Rudolph Run."
Michael Bublé and Carly Pearce fuse talent in holiday duet
McEntire's "The Voice" colleague and competitorMichael Bubléfollowed with "Holly Jolly Christmas."
Bublé later returned to the stage with backup in the shape of country singerCarly Pearce. Together, they stunned with a duet of "Maybe This Christmas" that complemented each other's talents and the holiday energy around them.
Halle Bailey, Marc Anthony and Brad Paisley channel the holiday spirit
The holiday spirit stayed alive and well withHalle Bailey's rendition of "Last Christmas,"Marc Anthony's performance of "Christmas Auld Lang Syne" andBrad Paisley's country version of "The First Noel."
Anthony's first performance of the night was just an appetizer. The four-time Grammy-winning singer returned to wish his home state a happy holiday season with the classic bilingual track "Feliz Navidad." He later rounded out his set with the iconic song "Vivir mi vida."
Laufey performs a song from her holiday project
Icelandic singerLaufeybrought her original song "Christmas Magic" to New York City while sporting a festive red coat and matching beanie. The tune is off her five-track holiday EP "A Very Laufey Holiday," which she released last year.
She later opted for a cover of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," though she lent her jazzy vocals to give it a Laufey touch.
In November, the recently Grammy-nominated singerspoke to USA TODAY at a Kate Spade New York holiday eventto talk all things holiday must-haves, including her favorite movies and songs to revisit this season.
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Radio City Rockettes honor 100 years
On top of the holidays, the Radio City Rockettes celebrated their 100th anniversary. In precise unison, 18 dancers dazzled the crowd with tap and ballet choreography over winter jazz.
R&B group New Edition makes Christmas comeback
New Edition hit the Rockefeller stage wearing red coats and hats as they sang the Christmas anthem "Happy Holidays to You." Known for staples from "Can You Stand The Rain" and "Mr. Telephone," the Boston singing group includes members Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill.
The group later returned, donning gold jackets and black pants while sitting side by side for a performance of "It's Christmas (All Over the World)."
Halle Bailey's vocals among the crowd's 'Favorite Things'
The Rockefeller crowd was 10 times louder after Bailey's breathtaking version of "Favorite Things." The "Little Mermaid" star embodied the "Sound of Music" as her stunning vocals carried each lyric.
Kristin Chenoweth lends 'Wicked' vocals
Late into the night, Kristin Chenoweth made her way from Broadway to Rockefeller, showing off her "Wicked" vocals while singing Karen Carpenter's 1970 track "Merry Christmas Darling."
She later joined host and fellow Oklahoma native McEntire to perform "Silver Bells" while both wearing white coats with fur collars in gorgeous harmony.
Watch the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree light up
Following three hours of star-studded performances, the moment the city has been awaiting has arrived.
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McEntire joined hosts Melvin, Roker, Guthrie and the entire Rockefeller crowd in counting down the lighting of the massive evergreen.
Originating from the New York suburb of East Greenbush, this year's tree is approximately 75 years old, stands 75 feet tall, 45 feet in diameter, and weighs about 11 tons.
Contributing: Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting sees Halle Bailey, Laufey perform