First performers confirmed for 2026 ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center
The holiday season is kicking off early in Midtown Manhattan. Alt-rock icon Alanis Morissette and rising breakout star Alex Warren are officially slated to perform as part of NBC’s annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center celebration.
Though the holiday spectacular won’t officially air until early December, both artists are heading to Midtown on Thursday, October 1, to tap special advance performance segments at the iconic Plaza. A number of fans will be allowed to watch the rehearsals, with free tickets available from 1iota.com
A Holiday Tradition Without the Tree (Just Yet)
Fans heading to Rockefeller Plaza this week will witness a unique spectacle: high-caliber holiday performances before the iconic centerpiece even arrives.
The 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree—a massive Norway spruce tradition that dates back more than 90 years—is scheduled to officially arrive in Midtown on Saturday, November 7. Once in place, the tree will undergo weeks of preparations, adorned with tens of thousands of multi-colored LED lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star, before making its grand debut.
How and When to Watch Christmas in Rockefeller Center
The long-running TV tradition officially lights up Manhattan on Wednesday, December 2.
- Event Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
- Air Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET
- Where to Watch: Broadcast live nationally on NBC and streaming simultaneously on Peacock
The three-hour live special will anchor NBC’s holiday programming slate. In addition to Morissette and Warren, network executives are expected to announce a full roster of top-tier musical guests and a special guest host in the coming weeks.
A Blend of Nostalgia and Next-Gen Pop
The addition of Morissette and Warren brings a unique cross-generational pull to this year’s lineup:
- Alanis Morissette: The seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter remains one of rock music’s most influential voices, continuing to draw massive global crowds on tour.
- Alex Warren: The singer-songwriter has rapidly emerged as one of pop’s biggest breakout stars, fueled by viral hit singles like “Carry You Home” and “Before You Leave Me.”
With tape dates beginning two months prior to broadcast, NBC is pulling out all the stops to ensure 2026’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center remains New York City’s defining holiday event.