Reba McEntire Shines as Host of Christmas in Rockefeller Center
The holiday season officially arrived in New York City on Wednesday, December 3, as Reba McEntire stepped into hosting duties for this year’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center. The country music icon led the beloved annual celebration, which featured a star-studded lineup and the lighting of one of the world’s most famous Christmas trees.
This year’s performers included Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, and Gwen Stefani. The Radio City Rockettes also delivered a festive showcase as they continued their milestone 100th anniversary season.
The 2025 Rockefeller Center tree — a towering 75-foot Norway spruce from Greenbush, New York — dazzled the crowd with 50,000 LED lights and a stunning 900-pound Swarovski star perched at the top.
Brad Paisley Brings Country Charm to Rockefeller Center
Among the standout performances of the night was Brad Paisley, who arrived in signature style: cowboy hat, guitar in hand, and a grin ready for holiday cheer. Paisley performed “Counting Down The Days” before launching into a playful, crowd-pleasing rendition of “A Marshmallow World.”
His appearance comes on the heels of his new Christmas album, Snow Globe Town. The 16-track project — his first holiday LP since 2006’s Brad Paisley Christmas — blends original songs with timeless seasonal classics, showcasing Paisley’s storytelling touch and warm holiday spirit.
Paisley is fully immersed in Christmas this year; he also stars as himself in Hallmark’s A Grand Ole Opry Christmas, which premiered November 29 and spotlights Nashville’s legendary Opry stage.
A Night of Holiday Tradition
With Reba McEntire at the helm, Christmas in Rockefeller Center delivered a blend of classic performances, new musical moments, and one breathtaking tree — marking another unforgettable start to the holiday season in NYC.
Watch Brad Paisley’s performance from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting below.