Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay Perform Christmas at Rockefeller Center (Exclusive)

Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be starry and bright.

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the lineup for this year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Backstreet Boys, Coco Jones, Dan + Shay, Megan Hilty, Jennifer Hudson, Little Big Town, RAYE and Thalia take the stage in Manhattan on Wednesday, December 4 at 20:00 before Christmas at Rockefeller Center on NBC.

The Radio City Rockettes from Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular will also perform during the broadcast and help kick off the holiday season.

Kelly Clarkson returns to host the special for the second year in a row. The American Idol alum first performed at Rockefeller Center’s Christmas special over 20 years ago and has performed several times since.

In 2023, the tree-lighting event was especially meaningful for Clarkson, 42, as her eponymous talk show moved from the West Coast to Rockefeller Center. “I can’t think of a better way to kick off Christmas this year than to be a part of this beautiful New York tradition of lighting the tree!” she said last year of her hosting gig.

TODAY hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin will also make a special appearance during the festive evening.

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“There is truly no tradition like seeing the beautiful tree sparkle and transform Rockefeller Center into the epicenter of the New York holiday season,” Jen Neal, Executive Vice President of Live Events and Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment, said in a statement.

“With Kelly at the helm, we can’t wait to share this wonderful special and celebrate with the entire country.”

Tree of the year hails from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts – the first time Rockefeller Center has received one from this New England state since 1959. The 73-foot-tall, 43-foot-wide red spruce was felled on Nov. 7 and arrived in New York City on Nov. 9.

It will be decorated with over 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a stunning three-dimensional Swarovski star.

Once lit, the tree will be on display at Rockefeller Plaza until mid-January. The first tree lighting ceremony dates back to 1933 during the Great Depression. Ever since, the massive and beautifully decorated tree has become a must-visit destination for anyone visiting New York during the holiday season.

Christmas at Rockefeller Center airs live Wednesday, Dec. 4 on NBC and simulcast on Peacock.