It’s official: Reba McEntire, the Queen of Country herself, will host and headline this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, bringing a touch of Nashville warmth to New York’s most magical night.
With her signature smile, unmistakable red hair, and voice that has carried generations through love, loss, and faith, Reba is set to turn the heart of Manhattan into a celebration of hope, family, and tradition.
This year’s show promises to be one of the most unforgettable in recent memory. Alongside Reba, an all-star lineup of country, gospel, and pop artists will join the festivities — blending harmonies that capture the true spirit of Christmas. Expect live choirs, candlelit carols, and a stage draped in winter lights, as snow drifts softly over the iconic plaza.
For Reba, the moment is more than just a performance — it’s a homecoming of the heart. “Christmas has always been my favorite time of year,” she said. “It’s about joy, kindness, and being together — whether you’re in a small town in Oklahoma or under the big city lights of New York.”
Producers say the show will feature a mix of classic hymns and new arrangements of Reba’s beloved holiday songs, including a special performance that she’s dedicating “to everyone who needs a little hope this Christmas.”
The lighting of the towering Rockefeller Christmas Tree — a symbol of unity that shines across the nation — will cap the evening, with Reba herself leading the countdown before the first twinkle of lights bursts to life.
As one fan put it online, “New York will shine — but Reba will glow.”
From Nashville stages to New York skylines, she’s spent a lifetime bringing people together through music. And now, as she stands before millions once more, Reba McEntire will remind America what Christmas truly sounds like — warmth, wonder, and a voice that never stops giving.