CHRISTMAS ROYALTY RETURNS: Cher Brings Holiday Magic and Soul to Rockefeller Center This Year

The holidays just got a whole lot brighter. Cher, the undisputed Queen of Reinvention, is set to headline NBC’s iconic Christmas at Rockefeller Center on December 3, 2025 — marking her triumphant return to the world’s most famous holiday stage after more than two decades. With her powerhouse voice, timeless charisma, and a career spanning six decades, Cher is ready to wrap New York City — and millions watching at home — in pure festive magic.

A Historic Comeback to the Rockefeller Stage

The Christmas at Rockefeller Center tree lighting has been a beloved American tradition since 1933. Broadcast live on NBC, the event draws over 12 million viewers annually and features top-tier talent performing beneath the glow of the world’s most famous Christmas tree — a 75-foot Norway spruce adorned with 50,000 multi-colored LED lights and topped with a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star.

Cher last appeared at the event in 2002, delivering a spellbinding performance of “DJ Play a Christmas Song” that still trends on social media every December. Now, 23 years later, she’s back — and producers say this will be her most emotional and spectacular show yet.

“Cher isn’t just performing — she’s reclaiming the holiday stage,” said executive producer Brad Lachman. “She represents resilience, joy, and unapologetic glamour. There’s no one else who can blend soul, spectacle, and Christmas spirit like she can.”

What to Expect: A Setlist of Heart, Soul, and Sparkle

Cher’s 25-minute headlining set will be a masterful blend of sacred tradition and modern holiday pop. Fans can expect:

• Timeless Classics, Cher-Style
  Soul-stirring renditions of “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night,” reimagined with her signature smoky alto and emotional depth. Early rehearsals reportedly left crew members in tears.
• Hits from The Gift of Christmas
  Selections from her critically acclaimed 2023 holiday album, including the dance-floor anthem “DJ Play a Christmas Song” (currently at 180 million Spotify streams) and the tender ballad “Home for the Holidays (With You),” a duet with Cyndi Lauper recorded exclusively for the special.
• A Never-Before-Seen Duet
  Insider sources confirm Cher will share the stage with a surprise A-list guest — rumored to be either Dolly Parton or Kelly Clarkson — for a once-in-a-lifetime performance of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with a feminist twist.
• Visual Spectacle
  Expect Cher in custom Bob Mackie — think crystal-embellished cape, thigh-high boots, and a glowing LED headdress synced to the tree lights. The stage will feature a 40-person choir, snow machines, and a drone light show forming the word “BELIEVE” above Rockefeller Plaza.

Cher’s Deep Connection to the Holidays

Cher has always had a love-hate relationship with Christmas — but in the best way.
“I lost my mom around the holidays when I was young,” she shared in a recent Variety interview. “So for years, it hurt. But music healed me. Now, I want to give that healing back — especially to people who feel alone this time of year.”

Her 2023 album The Gift of Christmas was born from that mission. Recorded in her Malibu home studio, it features original songs about love, loss, and hope — plus a stunning cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that Judy Garland herself would applaud.

All proceeds from digital sales of the album go to Cher’s Free the Wild foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles — continuing her legacy of giving back.

The Cultural Moment: Why Cher at Rockefeller Matters

In a divided world, Cher remains a unifier. At 79, she’s more relevant than ever — breaking streaming records, selling out arenas, and using her platform to champion LGBTQ+ youth, veterans, and animal rights.

Her return to Rockefeller Center isn’t just a concert — it’s a cultural coronation.
As one NBC exec put it: “Elvis had Vegas. Beyoncé has Coachella. Cher owns Christmas.”

Social media is already ablaze:

• #CherAtRockefeller is trending daily.
• Fan-made AI visuals of Cher in a crystal sleigh have gone viral.
• Ticket giveaways for in-person viewing crashed the NBC app within minutes.

How to Watch and Join the Magic

When: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time: 8–10 PM ET (Live tree lighting at 8:55 PM)
Where: NBC, Peacock, and live-streamed on YouTube
Host: TBD (rumors swirl of a SNL alum or Hoda Kotb)
Other Performers: Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Andrea Bocelli, and a special appearance by the Radio City Rockettes

Can’t be in NYC? NBC is launching a “Cher Cam” — a 24/7 live feed of the tree with Cher’s holiday playlist until New Year’s Day.

The Legacy Continues

As the countdown to December begins, one thing is clear: when Cher takes the stage at Rockefeller Center, it won’t just be a performance — it’ll be a holiday miracle.

She’s not just singing Christmas songs.
She’s reminding us that no matter how dark the year has been, light always returns.
And this year, that light wears sequins, sings in seven octaves, and answers to the name Cher.

Get ready to BELIEVE all over again.