What to know
- The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was lit Wednesday night, an annual holiday tradition in New York City.
- For the second year in a row, Kelly Clarkson hosted the star-studded "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special, which culminated in the tree lighting.
- The special, which aired on NBC and Peacock, featured performances by the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Thalia, Raye and more, plus the Radio City Rockettes.
- NBC News' "TODAY" anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin also made appearances throughout the special.
How long will the tree stay lit?
The tree will be lit from 5 a.m. to midnight through mid-January.
It will be lit for 24 hours on Christmas Eve, but there will be an early cutoff of 9 p.m. for New Year’s Eve, when revelers will fill nearby Times Square, Rockefeller Center said on its website.
Want more Christmas?
Don't change the channel. "Jimmy Fallon's Holiday Seasoning Spectacular" is on now.
The tree is lit!
The Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit, with 5 miles of multicolored string lights shining bright against the New York City skyline declaring it is officially Christmas time.
New York Mayor Eric Adams and Chuck Scarborough, an NBC New York anchor who recently announced his retirement after more than 50 years, were there to help light the tree.
Once it was illuminated, a choir sang "Joy to the World."
Man who donated Rockefeller Center tree couldn't attend lighting
Earl Albert, the man who donated this year's Christmas tree, isn't at tonight's tree lighting.
Albert recently had a stroke, and he and his family were hoping he would be well enough to visit New York City for tonight's spectacle.
Albert is still recovering but planned to watch the tree lighting on TV, his family told NBC News’ Joe Fryer ahead of the ceremony.
Clarkson and Hudson's 'American Idol' roots
Like Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson also got her start on "American Idol."
In addition to their musical careers, both have found new ways to use their voices — as talk show hosts.
Hudson, an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner, hosts “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” She was on season three of "American Idol" in 2004.
One last song from Clarkson
After hosting two hours of Christmas fun, Clarkson gave us what we really wanted — one last performance. This time, she sang her original song "Underneath the Tree."
Her rosy cheeks led us to believe she'll be glad to get inside and warm up once the tree is lit!
Light snow falls before the tree lighting
Adding to the festive spirit, light snow was falling tonight during the performances at the ceremony.
Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! joins Clarkson
The Backstreet Boys are back — again! — to perform a harmony-filled version of "Last Christmas" by Wham!
Andrew Ridgeley joined Clarkson to announce the performance and to present her with an early Christmas gift: a vinyl of the Wham! Christmas hit.
He was then seen jamming out and singing along with the Backstreet Boys.
What happens to the tree after the holidays?
After the holidays, the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be milled into lumber that is used by Habitat for Humanity for home building, NBC said in a statement.
Clarkson teases surprise guest
Who will it be? There are only 45 minutes left of this special, so we'll find out soon!