The 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony has officially commenced in New York, marking the official start of the holiday season.
The 74-foot, 11-ton giant Norway Spruce from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, looked magical as it was lit up with 50,000 multi-coloured LED lights and a Swarovski star.
On Dec 4, host Kelly Clarkson kicked off the Christmas evening at the Rockefeller Center special with You for Christmas, from her 2021 holiday album When Christmas Comes Around. The two-hour show was aired live on NBC and Peacock.
She continued with Underneath the Christmas Tree bringing festive cheer among the audience. This was the second time the Love So Soft singer returned to host the show. She dazzled in a luxury black coat from Alaïa to brave the chilly winds.
Clarkson welcomed a list of celebrities on stage to celebrate the annual tradition with spectacular performances. She was joined by an impressive lineup of performers, from the Backstreet Boys to Megan Hilty.
Who were the performers at the 2024 Christmas at Rockefeller Center special?
Besides Kelly Clarkson, this year’s annual grand event - Christmas at Rockefeller Center in New York, witnessed a star-studded evening. The list included:
1) Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys - Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell and Nick Carter performed their rendition of some of the holiday classics like Last Christmas and The Christmas Song. As it started to snow, the band sang Christmas in New York leaving the audience spellbound.
2) Dan + Shay
This American Country Duo performed Christmas Isn't Christmas Without You spreading warmth among their fans. They released their first Christmas album in October, It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album.
3) Jennifer Hudson
Known for her electrifying performances, Jennifer Hudson performed Winter Wonderland with her festive twist. She also performed a few tracks from her debut Christmas album, The Gift of Love released in October.
4) Megan Hilty
Country star of Broadway's Death Becomes Her musical, Megan Hilty sang Hard Candy Christmas and The Man With the Bag for the Christmas crowd.
5) Coco Jones
She performed holiday classics like Do You Hear What I Hear? as the audience joined her and String of Lights from her Christmas album, Coco By The Fireplace.
6) Little Big Town
The members of Little Big Town - Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook welcomed the Christmas Father with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Santa Claus Is Back In Town.
7) Thalia
Thalia, known as the queen of Latin pop, sang her rendition of Feliz Navidad along with another song called Nueva Navidad from her first Christmas album, Navidad Melancólica which was released last year.
8) Raye
British singer Raye added a contemporary flair to her singing as she performed Escapism and White Christmas amidst the snowy surroundings at the magical event.
9) The Radio City Rockettes
No Rockefeller Centre event is complete without the spell-binding performance from the Rockettes. After rehearsing for “six hours a day, six days a week and for the six weeks”, as per Today, they took centre stage as they performed a Christmas Lights medley in gold fringe dresses.
Christmas at Rockefeller Center ended on a sweet note spreading holiday cheer among the crowd and the viewers. Since 1931, people have anticipated the memorable annual event to witness its extraordinary charm. But, the event lacks its essence without the iconic Christmas tree which has now become a holiday beacon for the locals and the tourists.
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For the unversed, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center for Christmas was donated by Earl Albert from his yard in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It was planted by him and his late wife, Leslie in 1967. It serves as a tribute to her as she passed away in 2020.
Over the years, the Rockefeller Christmas event has evolved as a symbol of hope and joy.
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