Country icon Reba McEntire stepped into a brand-new holiday spotlight on Wednesday night when she hosted Christmas in Rockefeller Center for the very first time.
This year marked Reba’s debut Christmas season in New York City — a surprising fact given her decades-long career. But the milestone made the night even more meaningful as she took on double duty: serving as both host and performer for the beloved annual tree-lighting celebration.
The 93rd Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting aired as a two-hour television special on December 3, featuring a star-studded lineup that included Michael Bublé, Halle Bailey, Kristin Chenoweth, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Gwen Stefani, and more. Of course, the evening built toward the grand finale: the illumination of this year’s spectacular tree — a 75-foot Norway Spruce from East Greenbush, New York, decorated with 50,000 LED lights and crowned by a dazzling Swarovski star.
Reba Takes the Stage With Three Holiday Performances
With three Christmas albums in her catalog, Reba had no shortage of festive material — but she carefully handpicked her setlist for the occasion.
She kicked off the broadcast with a lively, jazz-influenced version of Chuck Berry’s 1958 classic “Run Run Rudolph.” Reba had just re-released her rendition to streaming platforms days earlier, along with another holiday staple: “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” She performed that tune as well, offering a warm, heartfelt moment amid the celebrations.
Later in the evening, Reba teamed up with Broadway powerhouse Kristin Chenoweth for a nostalgic duet of “Silver Bells.” Longtime fans recognized the song from Reba’s memorable performance with Bob Hope during his 1987 Christmas special, making this duet a touching callback to holiday seasons past.
Reba’s Rockefeller Center debut was festive, elegant, and full of classic Christmas charm — a perfect fit for a country legend experiencing her first New York holiday magic.